Dr. Mouhamadou Sow: "Correlation is the key to producing 50% of our medicines locally by 2035."

In an interview with Seneweb, Dr. Mouhamadou Sow, pharmacist and head of Teranga Pharmacie, discusses the challenges of local production, its correlation, and Senegal's health sovereignty. Interview...

Senegal still imports more than 95% of its medicines. How do you explain this situation?

The Senegalese pharmaceutical industry has long suffered from a lack of competitiveness. Imported medicines benefit from tax advantages, while raw materials and equipment for local manufacturing are still subject to taxes and customs duties. This situation has fostered a strong dependence on imports, despite the existence of several local production facilities. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the country's vulnerability to international supply disruptions and reinforced the need to build genuine pharmaceutical sovereignty. Today, the stated objective is clear: to produce 30% of national needs locally by 2030 and 50% by 2035.

What were the effects of the departure of large groups like Sanofi and Pfizer?

The withdrawal of these players led to a significant decline in local production and increased Senegal's dependence on imports. Hundreds of direct and indirect jobs were lost, with tax consequences for the state as well. However, this situation served as a wake-up call and strengthened the commitment to developing a more resilient national pharmaceutical industry.

Why does this dependence pose a risk to health sovereignty?

The COVID-19 crisis has shown that a country heavily reliant on imports can face shortages when producing nations prioritize their own needs. Geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global supply chains have also led to increased costs for raw materials and many medications. This dependence exposes Senegal to stockouts, price increases, and difficulties accessing certain essential treatments.

What is "pharmaceutical correlation"?

Correlation is a regulatory mechanism designed to align imports with local production. It applies to medicines manufactured in Senegal that have marketing authorization and whose production capacity is sufficient to meet national needs with adequate safety stocks. The objective is to create an environment conducive to industrial development while ensuring access to medicines for the population.

What results do you expect from this reform?

This correlation should accelerate the achievement of pharmaceutical sovereignty, stimulate industrial investment, promote technology transfers, and develop local subcontracting. Proponents of this reform believe it can transform Dakar into a true regional pharmaceutical hub, similar to several Maghreb countries that have achieved high levels of local production.

What is the role of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (PRA)?

The ARP is at the heart of the system. It is responsible for evaluating correlation requests, monitoring the quality of medicines, verifying production capacities, and inspecting industrial sites. The agency also ensures compliance with requirements related to safety stocks and continuity of supply.

What obligations must local manufacturers comply with?

Manufacturers wishing to benefit from the correlation must submit an investment plan, a production program, risk management mechanisms, and a safety stock equivalent to three months of national consumption. They must also commit to gradually transitioning to full-scale production of the products concerned within a maximum period of five years.

What are the main obstacles to the development of the local pharmaceutical industry today?

Manufacturers are particularly critical of what they consider unfair competition from imported products, high production costs, difficulties in accessing financing, and cumbersome administrative procedures. They are also calling for more tax incentives and better support for investments to strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses.

What economic and social benefits can be expected from correlation?

According to its proponents, the reform could foster the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in industry, logistics, packaging, maintenance, and distribution. It would also help reduce foreign currency outflows, attract new investors, and develop innovative sectors, particularly in the field of herbal medicines.

Can this policy lower the price of medicines?

Industry players believe that increased local production volumes will gradually reduce costs and therefore the prices of certain medications. Price reductions have already been announced for some products, presented as the first effects of this correlation.

Can Senegal really achieve 50% pharmaceutical sovereignty by 2035?

Industry leaders are optimistic. They highlight ongoing investments, the modernization of existing infrastructure, and the arrival of new industrial projects. According to them, if the planned support measures are fully implemented, the objective could even be achieved before the 2035 deadline.

What message do you have for healthcare professionals and consumers?

The proponents of the reform are calling on healthcare professionals to provide greater support for locally manufactured products that meet quality and safety standards. They are also urging consumers to prioritize Senegalese-made medications, believing that this choice would contribute to strengthening employment, investment, and the country's healthcare sovereignty.