The Horn of Africa trade forum ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, calls on African countries to increase domestic production of pharmaceutical products and end over dependence on imported medicines, as the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) now in force. The participants of the meeting indicated that the AfCFTA, African countries agreed, provides an opportunity for economies of scale, lack of which previously hindered African pharmaceuticals production. “African traditional medicine is an area where there is room for African innovation, but we need to improve on commercialization. Participants also discussed the next steps required for operationalization of the agreement and national implementation strategies. For his part, Johan Borgstam, Ambassador of the European Union to Ethiopia, emphasized the need for peace in the Horn of Africa region.

Source: News Business Ethiopia July 01, 2019 08:55 UTC