Burkina Faso inaugurated at the beginning of this week its first pharmaceutical factory, specializing in the production of generic drugs, called Propharm.
Built on an area of 1.5 hectares in the commune of Komsilga, on the outskirts of Ouagadougou, the capital, this factory is the work of the local private sector, precisely of a group of professional pharmacists led by Armel Koéfé, the director General of Propharm.
Its implementation required an amount of fifteen billion CFA francs. The plant is expected to start producing the drugs in the coming months. According to Armel Coéfé, a final step is being finalized, that relating to the inspection of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency on the batches produced, in order to obtain marketing authorizations.
Initially, the company will produce paracetamol 500mg, phloroglucinol, an antispasmodic, as well as an “oral rehydration salt and zinc kit, for the treatment of diarrhea”. Ultimately, a dozen drugs are targeted, as well as export to neighboring countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
Prime Minister Albert Ouédraogo, who inaugurated the factory, declared, among other things, that « it is an important factory, insofar as it will contribute to making medicines available to our populations at a lower price. cost ».
“During the Covid-19 period, these questions were significant and everyone recognized the need to develop local drug production. It is also a local business, which contributes to developing a resilient economy,” he added.
By OMA Newsletter N° 839 of 08/25/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
