Esteemed delegates, it is an honour to welcome you to the first Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Industry Conference which brings together all persons from the pharmaceutical value chain to discuss matters that affect our industry.
We are convening under a theme that speaks directly to our reality: “Strengthening Zimbabwe’s Pharma Ecosystem for Resilience and Sustainability.”
Over the last few years, our industry has been tested and stretched beyond what we ever thought possible. One would have thought after the covid-19 pandemic we had seen the worst of it; however, the struggle continues as supply chains are being disrupted, cost of manufacturing and procurement increasing, drug shortages are the order of the day, regulatory pressures and viability challenges. The recognition that access to quality assured, efficacious, safe and affordable medicines is not an option, but a necessity is what brings us all together for this conference.
Through every crisis our industry has faced, it is clear that we need to build a resilient industry which is sustainable for all players involved.
What does a resilient Pharma Ecosystem look like? It is one where;
- Local manufacturing is vibrant – Medicines made in Zimbabwe, meeting global quality standards.
- Supply chains are secure – From raw materials to the patient all the way in Uzumba, Beitbridge or Kariba, the supply chain should be robust and protect product quality.
- Smart regulation – the regulatory space protects the patients while enabling investment in the different areas of the industry
- Adaptability is more than a desire – the industry should be able to adapt to the changing environment.
Over the next few days, our conversations should migrate from being problem centred, to solution centred, tackling the very issues that keep our stakeholders awake:
- How do we de-risk manufacturing and attract patient (long term) capital?
- How do we harmonize with SADC and AfCFTA to export, not just import? – How do we leverage digital tools for track-and-trace, pharmacovigilance, and data-driven procurement?
- How do we ensure pharmacies remain viable, compliant, and central to primary healthcare?
This cannot be done in isolation, but requires a whole industry approach. It will take all of us; public, private, regulators, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, researchers, academics, investors, practitioners— pulling in one direction. We have all the things we need to succeed; the question is are we ready to do the work that will give us a pharmaceutical sector we can be proud of.
May our deliberations be honest, our solutions practical, and our impact measured in tangible outcomes.
My gratitude goes to our exhibitors and sponsors, for always showing up for us even in challenging circumstances. To Local Organizing Committee, thank you for putting this conference together, to the delegates we appreciate you taking the time to attend this important event. I wish you all a fruitful conference.
