Since 2011, the government has tried at least three different approaches, and spent millions of rand, to establish a state-owned pharmaceutical manufacturer — but has completely failed.
Much work in this regard was done between 2011 and 2014. In total, the process was done in three phases,” he said. The need to find yet another partner was based on the fact that all APIs used in drug formulations in SA are imported and, as such, a technology partner would facilitate technology and skills transfer. This phase was implemented through open calls for expressions of interest.
The request for proposal was therefore drafted for existing ARV suppliers wanting to partner to allocate current supply of their volumes to Ketlaphela in exchange of a long-term contract, said Nzimande. “However, the research, development and innovation aspect under the department of science and technology continued and the small-scale manufacturing plant for API manufacturing has been established.
Like most good ideas