MWE Correspondent
Tanzania is taking bold steps to move away from being a market for outdated and substandard medicines, with a new focus on boosting local production of modern pharmaceutical and health products.
The initiative is designed to improve the quality of healthcare while positioning the country as a hub for investment in the health manufacturing sector.
The announcement came from Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa on December 23, 2025, during a meeting with pharmaceutical and health product manufacturers. The event also marked the launch of a special task force aimed at accelerating investment in domestic pharmaceutical industries. Speaking in Dar es Salaam, the minister emphasized that Africa, including Tanzania, has long been a destination for older-generation medicines—products that, in developed countries, have already been replaced or upgraded to reflect advances in medical science.
“Over the years, the continent has been viewed not as a partner in modern medicine development but as the final market for outdated products,” Minister Mchengerwa said. He highlighted that reliance on imported medicines often brings products that do not meet proper quality standards, lack the correct active ingredients, or fail to comply with good manufacturing practices. Such products can compromise patient safety and disrupt trust in healthcare systems.
The minister further noted that low-quality medicines undermine fair competition. Local manufacturers who invest in high standards, modern technology, and skilled personnel often struggle to compete with cheaper, inferior products. “Our strategy is not just an industrial agenda. It is about protecting the lives of our citizens, raising healthcare quality, and moving Tanzania away from being a consumer of outdated medicines,” he explained.
Experts agree that strengthening domestic pharmaceutical production is essential for reducing reliance on imports, improving medicine security, and supporting economic growth. The minister stressed that the push for locally produced, high-quality medicines is not only a business matter but also a moral obligation, ensuring citizens have access to safe and effective treatment—a fundamental human right.
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By developing local production capabilities, Tanzania also hopes to create jobs, stimulate research, encourage technology transfer, and expand regional trade. Quality and innovation in healthcare are expected to grow alongside the country’s wider industrialization efforts, boosting both the economy and public health outcomes.
The initiative aligns with global concerns over medicine quality, as substandard medicines are known to cause treatment failures, increase drug resistance, and lead to preventable deaths. Tanzania’s approach seeks to ensure that citizens receive reliable and safe healthcare products while fostering a thriving domestic health sector.
Finally, Minister Mchengerwa emphasized that the initiative is about building a sustainable and modern healthcare system capable of meeting the current and future needs of Tanzanians. With strong government support, private sector engagement, and adherence to international standards, the country is poised to transition from a passive consumer of medicines to a proactive producer of high-quality health products, strengthening the healthcare industry and improving outcomes for all citizens.
This effort, observers say, could mark a turning point for Tanzania, ensuring that modern, safe, and effective medicines are widely available while fostering local innovation and investment in the pharmaceutical industry.
