By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza
PRESIDENT John Magufuli has issued an emphatic warning to the management of two dormant pharmaceutical companies, ordering them to submit production strategies or else give way for capable investors.
He gave the directive here yesterday shortly after inaugurating Prince Pharmaceuticals Ltd at the climax of his two-day official tour of Mwanza Region.
The directives came after the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, Mr Charles Mwijage, reported on slow progress in production of drugs by Dar es Salaam-based Keko Pharmaceuticals Company and Tanzania Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd.
Dr Magufuli expressed dismay over the fact that out of 15 pharmaceutical industries in the country, only five were operating well, calling for the situation to be revisited, challenging capable local investors to chip in. “I encourage local investors to invest in the pharmaceutical industry and the government will support you, provided you produce quality products,” he said.
He stated that Tanzanians were fed up with long processes and excuses by some investors in the industrial sector, citing the two factories that had failed to produce and meet public expectations for several years.
The President noted that Tanzania drug manufacturers had an advantage of benefiting from a high local demand, as well as open markets in the East Africa Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) blocs, with a combined population of more than 500 million.
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