Published: 07 July 2025

Zimbabwe's pharmaceutical industry is battling a cocktail of systemic challenges that are stifling growth and jeopardising public health, sector leaders have warned.

At the third annual Community Pharmacists Association and Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association Conference held this week, industry stakeholders and government officials laid bare the multifaceted problems plaguing the sector - from rampant black market medicine sales and porous borders, to excessive regulation and underutilised professional capacity in public health facilities.

Representing the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mr Stephen Banda expressed concern over the continued diversion of medicines from public hospitals to illicit markets, citing recent incidents that underscore the crisis.

"You all might have heard of the Mt Darwin issue where some public servants were diverting medicines from hospital pharmacies," Banda said. "We have taken action against them, and this is a warning to anyone who wishes to engage in such acts."

He acknowledged industry concerns over overregulation, inadequate staffing in the public sector, and weak enforcement at borders. "As government, we have heard your concerns … and we are going to address them soon."

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, reaffirmed government's commitment to reviving the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector through policy support. He highlighted the Cabinet's approval of the Pharmaceutical Value Chain Policy Paper in June 2025, which outlines strategic reforms under the National Development Strategy 1 (2021–2025).

"The policy aligns with our Whole Society Approach," said Ndlovu. "However, we are aware that high compliance costs, power shortages, and lack of affordable financing continue to hamper progress. That is why government is working on a revolving fund and other measures to support the sector."

The pharmaceutical market in Zimbabwe is estimated at between US$404 million and US$450 million, with just 12% of medicines locally produced, according to official estimates. The bulk of the market - over US$250 million - is sustained by donor agencies, while private imports dominate the retail segment, creating what industry leaders describe as an unsustainable dependency.

Mr Gabriel Karani, Chairperson of the Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe (PCZ), criticised the absence of skilled pharmacists in public health settings despite an existing pool of professionals.

"There are 2,193 pharmacists and 114 optometrists on our register, but none are deployed at district hospitals," Karani said. "Why must patients travel to Parirenyatwa for optometry when we already have qualified people nationwide?"

He proposed greater collaboration between community pharmacists, wholesalers, and public health institutions — including innovative models such as crowdfunding medicine procurement for NatPharm.

The illegal influx of medicines from neighbouring countries emerged as one of the most urgent threats.

Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association of Zimbabwe (PWZ) chairperson Mr Norman Kugara described how black-market drugs continue to flood informal markets like Mbare Musika, undermining both the legal supply chain and patient safety.

"There's a surge in parallel imports due to porous borders," said Kugara. "Authorities must act. Our medicine registration fees are also too high, deterring players and pushing prices up."

Kugara welcomed the 2021–2025 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Strategy, aimed at increasing local production to 60%, and noted a healthy 43% compound annual growth rate for the sector, driven by new entrants.

Still, he cautioned that growth will stall without reforms to regulatory processes and consistent government procurement.

Supply chain expert Mr Wilson Chandomba warned that black-market products are not only illegal but often substandard, posing serious public health risks.

"Substandard and falsified medicines can lead to treatment failure and antimicrobial resistance," he said. "That's not just bad for the economy - it's a health crisis in the making."

As the conference concluded, delegates agreed that the industry's growth potential hinges on moving from discussion to implementation.

"We have the talent, infrastructure and potential," said Karani. "All that's needed is political will, coordinated policies and strong public-private partnerships to transform Zimbabwe's pharmaceutical sector into a regional model of resilience and innovation."
- Health Times

You might also want to read this

• Crackdown on cigarettes smuggling continues between SA and Zimbabwe
• Crossborder4ED condemns smuggling
• Anti-smuggling blitz bolsters local beverage production
• Smuggling takes toll on Zimbabwe economy
• Zimbabwe govt's anti-smuggling dragnet nets 472
• Zimra loses millions to car smugglers