Government has banned the importation of 49 medicines, assigning their manufacture to local pharmaceutical companies.

The move by the government is seen a major boost to the local industry and is in compliance with the Africa Union’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa which aspires to strengthen Africa’s ability to produce high quality and affordable pharmaceuticals.

The plan was approved by the Heads of State and Governments at the AU Summit in Accra recently.

The list of 49 medicines set to be produced locally includes aluminum hydroxide or magnesium trisilicate suspension, amoxicillin capsules and suspension, aspirin or caffeine tablet, folic acid and tablet, cetizine tablet, co-trimoxazole tablet, diclofenac tablet and oral rehydration salt (ORS) among others.

This means that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) would not accept new applications for the registration for the registration of a medicine on the restricted list.

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG), says the move by the government is a step in the right direction for the local industry.

Chief of Executive Officer of the Chamber of Pharmacy Ghana, Anthony Ameka, welcomed the ban saying it was “desperately needed by local manufacturers”.