African nations aim for own pharmaceutical manufacturing

African scientists and researchers have been meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, to discuss plans for the first African-owned and -managed innovation fund to finance drugs and diagnostics research, reports the local Argus newspaper.

The second meeting of key stakeholders supporting the African Network for Drug and Diagnostics Innovation is being hosted by the Medical Research Council of South Africa in Parow Valley.

The network concept was launched in Abuja, Nigeria, a year ago. Its main goal is promoting and sustaining African-led product R&D innovation though the discovery, development and delivery of affordable new tools, including those based on traditional medicines. A task force was established to develop the strategic and business plan for the network by consulting with those who might come on board.

The strategic and business plan to be presented at the Cape Town meeting calls for a 4.4 billion rand ($523 million) endowment fund in Africa that would generate a sustainable income of up to $30 million a year to support African drug and diagnostic innovation. Discussions are already under way with the African Development Bank to host the fund.

SA Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor told delegates at the meeting that the network would be a key contributor to medical progress, which would turn fundamental research findings into innovative treatments that were available and accessible to patients in Africa who needed these medicines. Over the next decade South Africa intended to become a world leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Ms Pandor said.

Stella Anyangwe of the World Health Organization noted that the beauty of the network was that research would be done by Africa for Africa, and Tom Hurley, of the African Development Bank, pledged support for the network, saying it was consistent with the bank's priorities.