Covid has taught us that countries that can’t produce essential medicines are vulnerable – Health Minister

According to Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Covid-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on the urgent necessity for countries to develop the capability to produce their own essential medicines, advocating for a move towards greater public investment in healthcare infrastructure to ensure resilience against future health crises. This underscores the importance of bolstering national healthcare systems and reducing dependency on international pharmaceutical giants, which can sometimes prioritize profits over accessibility.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh asserts that the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of countries dependent on international sources for essential medicines. He argues for the necessity of encouraging private sector involvement and leveraging market solutions to bolster domestic production capabilities, emphasizing that a reliance on foreign pharmaceuticals not only jeopardizes national security but also hampers the efficient management of health crises.