Story by Memory Chamisa
ZIMBABWE is intensifying efforts to secure a reliable supply of essential medicines, with reforms under the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2) aimed at transforming the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) into a key driver of local pharmaceutical production.
The reforms are designed to shift NatPharm from its traditional role as a distributor of medicines to a broader mandate that includes supporting local manufacturing through technology transfer and strategic partnerships.
This emerged during a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Maunganidze.
Dr Maunganidze said the reforms are central to Government’s strategy to strengthen medicines security, reduce reliance on imports and build a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain.
“The supply chain should be flawless, and logistics should be smooth. Government is promoting local production to reduce the import bill and ensure the availability of essential medicines,” he said.
He noted that NatPharm has made significant progress in stabilising the country’s medicines supply chain, including improving stock movement and increasing availability of critical medicines.
“We are now able to move stock that had overstayed in our warehouses to areas where it was needed, and we have seen a marked increase in availability,” Dr Maunganidze said.
He added that a revolving fund would be critical to ensuring NatPharm’s long-term financial sustainability and reducing dependence on repeated recapitalisation.
Acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care, Honourable Descent Bajila welcomed the progress but urged NatPharm to deepen partnerships across the pharmaceutical ecosystem.
“We recognise the challenges NatPharm is facing, including its debt burden, but that should not prevent it from entering into partnerships with relevant stakeholders,” he said.
Hon Bajila noted that Zimbabwe’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector has expanded significantly, with the number of local manufacturers rising from nine in 2020 to 14.
“There is a need for NatPharm to shift towards pharmaceutical manufacturing. This will redefine Zimbabwe’s medicines landscape under NDS2,” he said.
President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly underscored the importance of strengthening NatPharm to guarantee the consistent availability of essential medicines while advancing local production.
His commitment was reaffirmed during the commissioning of the Mutare Pharmaceutical Warehouse last year.
The NatPharm reforms form part of broader efforts by the Second Republic to modernise the health sector, including the rehabilitation of major referral hospitals such as Parirenyatwa, Sally Mugabe and Mpilo.
By strengthening NatPharm, Government aims to improve access to life-saving medicines, reduce mortality and enhance health outcomes nationwide.
