TERRA NOSSA

[NOUN GENERIQUES] - an unprecedented approach to securing generic drugs in Africa. The distribution as well as the “wild” sale of counterfeit drugs in some African countries cost many human lives every year. In consultation with local health authorities, NOUN GENERIQUES optimizes secure access to generic drugs – whose patents have fallen into the public domain.

An unprecedented approach to securing generic drugs in Africa. The distribution as well as the “wild” sale of counterfeit drugs in some African countries cost many human lives every year. In consultation with local health authorities, NOUN GENERIQUES optimizes secure access to generic drugs – whose patents have fallen into the public domain.

Africa carries 25% of the global burden of disease, but consumes less than 1% of global health expenditure. It manufactures less than 2% of locally absorbed drugs. More than 70% of HIV/AIDS cases and 90% of malaria deaths occur in Africa. Similarly, 50% of deaths of children under five worldwide occur on the continent, mainly due to neonatal causes, as well as pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, measles, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. Tragically, these diseases can be cured and most of the patients who die from them would be saved if they could have timely access to appropriate and affordable drugs. Poor access to medicines and their high cost are compounded by several factors such as long lead times for international orders, infrastructure deficits due to insufficient logistics and storage capacity, and high transportation and distribution costs. Public finances are also very insufficient and public health supply systems are imperfect. There is an estimated shortage of essential drugs in both the public and private sectors. Patients are also often forced to buy unlicensed drugs. An additional difficulty stems from the excessive use of branded drugs, the prices of which are much higher than the cheapest equivalent generic products. Added to this state of affairs is the question of the poor quality of medicines and their deficient regulation which give rise to illicit transactions and contribute to health problems. Strengthening the production of medicines is essential for a sustainable future of health systems in Africa. It can indeed expand patient access to life-saving drugs, especially in rural areas where their price will be significantly reduced. Better health is essential to the population and contributes to increased productivity. The cost of illness is well known to families and national economies. The direct and indirect impact of malaria alone is estimated at US$12 billion in annual income on the continent. Local production of drugs is possible and has become imperative. Pharmaceutical activity involves legal, scientific, technical, fiscal and financial aspects. In order to build their productive capacity, African countries need to overcome challenges on several fronts, ranging from research and development to making full use of the flexibilities offered by trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (Agreement on TRIPS), tax and pricing policies, drug regulatory and registration mechanisms and, of course, infrastructure construction. In some parts of the continent, mainly in North African countries and South Africa, the role of local pharmaceutical manufacturers has grown significantly. Egypt and Tunisia, for example, produce most of the essential medicines their populations need. Morocco, the second African pharmaceutical producer after South Africa, has 40 pharmaceutical industrial units, which meet 70% of domestic demand and export 10% of their production, in particular to neighboring African countries. Major production sites are currently being built or expanded in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria. Mozambique has opened an antiretroviral manufacturing unit with the help of Brazil. Africa is home to some of the world's most prominent inventor-innovators and generic drug makers. The best known African companies are Starwin in Ghana, Saidal in Algeria, Universal in Kenya, Aspen in South Africa or Cipla in Nigeria. These examples demonstrate that Africa is now producing medicines that meet international standards. In order to consolidate pharmaceutical activity, it is important to reduce the number of structures and harmonize policies within the framework of regional integration. Intra-African trade will better utilize and strengthen regional supply chains, and increase economies of scale. NOUN GENERIQUES takes the lead in the development of its health sector because it wants to create wealth and give future generations a chance.