Pharmacists eye home-grown drug manufacturing

| Wednesday July 2, 2014 06:59

At present, Botswana is limited to pharmaceutical wholesaling and distributing, with the products manufactured in other countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe. The reliance on imports has led to higher prices of drugs when compared to the countries where the products are manufactured. “At the moment we don’t have such a company, but yes some companies are in the process of setting up,” he said. “Almost hundred percent of our drugs come from outside the country and what we are saying is, yes, let us have a manufacturing plant with the hope that it will bring down the costs.

“We do not endorse any particular company as a Society, but if there was one, we would benefit like any Motswana would.” The 26-year-old Society is the professional body for pharmacists in Botswana, representing their interests to government, other health professionals and the general public. Quizzed on the entry into the market of homeopathic remedies, Kgosietsile said the Society had not noticed any influx of the new products. Homeopathic remedies are based on the medical philosophy that the body has the ability to heal itself. The products generally have a lower concentration of active ingredients and focus on the solution in which the active ingredient is dissolved. Several shops around Gaborone have opened up and store various homeopathic products for various ailments and conditions. Other enterprising distributors have taken to independently marketing their own in public places, leading to the Ministry of Health banning one such product in 2012. “Homeopathic drugs are not pharmaceutical per se,” said Kgosietsile.

“One can say they are midway and almost pharmaceutical but they do not necessarily have pharmaceutical drugs in them. “I wouldn’t say there is an influx of them and in any case the main concern across the globe is counterfeit or substandard drugs. “Currently we do not have an influx but the Ministry of Health is tasked with controlling them.” Speaking generally on pharmaceutical service, Kgosietsile advised Batswana to be cooperative when interacting with pharmacists in order to assist the wellness process. “Quite often the pharmacist is the first contact in the health care profession because when you have a common ailment the first place is usually to the pharmacist.  “There are certain things that can be fixed over the counter but at the same time one has to be cautious in treating stuff because sometimes a patient will mask a condition and keep going to the pharmacy when a doctor’s opinion is what is needed.

“There could be an underlying condition one is not aware of.”