This is according to Dr Owen Laws Kaluwa, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Ethiopia.
Delivering the keynote at a regional training workshop on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in Addis Ababa, Kaluwa said overdependence on imports posed major health security risks, particularly during global supply chain disruptions.
“Enhancing local pharmaceutical production is not only a strategic health priority but also an economic and political imperative,” he stressed.
The two-day hands-on workshop, held from July 22–23, brought together 26 participants from regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical manufacturers across seven East African Community member states.
Organised by WHO and supported by the Global Fund, it focused on strengthening technical skills in areas such as quality management systems, risk management, validation, and utility system oversight.
WHO’s Dr Jicui Dong said compliance with GMP required both knowledge and practice, noting the region’s growing commitment to workforce development. Ethiopian regulator Dejene Daba reaffirmed his agency’s goal of achieving WHO Maturity Level 3 status, a key benchmark for regulatory strength.
The training is part of wider African Union and Africa CDC efforts to build resilient pharmaceutical industries across the continent.
–WHO/ChannelAfrica–