PERCEPTION AND VIEWS OF STAKEHOLDERS TOWARDS LOCAL MANUFACTURING OF PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENTS IN WEST AFRICA

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry in West Africa is being faced by challenges with providing essential medicines to rural areas due to a difficult business environment and slim profit margins. This study aimed to identify contextual strategies for achieving self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical excipients production in West Africa. A cross-sectional survey method was used to collect data from stakeholders who were willing to participate. The study surveyed 191 participants in the West African pharmaceutical sector to gather information on their socio-demographic characteristics and views towards local drug production. Manufacturing pharmaceutical excipients in the region was seen as a way to improve access to medicines by 94.6% of respondents. However, only 25.6% indicated that there was adequate international support for local drug production, and only 24.4% indicated that there are adequate collaborations in the region to achieve this. The study reveals significant gaps in access to safe, quality, and affordable medicines in West Africa, with underutilization of the pharmaceutical industry to meet drug needs of the population. The study recommends fostering international and local supports, enhancing partnerships, and increasing awareness of the significance of local production of pharmaceutical excipients to improve access to quality medicines through local drug manufacturing in West Africa.