War, supply chains, and the case for Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing
By Dr. Frankline Keter NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 23 - For many people, wars sometimes feel distant. The headlines appear geopolitical, military, or diplomatic – Kenya breaking news | Kenya news today |..
✨ Key Highlights
Recent geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, are significantly disrupting global pharmaceutical supply chains, leading to increased costs and potential shortages of medicines in Africa.
- The conflict has increased shipping insurance costs and transit times by up to two weeks, and fuel prices have risen by 50 percent.
- Key ingredients like acetaminophen are already 30 percent more expensive, and antibiotics and solvents have increased by 50 percent.
- Key organizations like API for Africa and companies such as Emzor Pharmaceuticals are advocating for and developing local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.
- Africa imports most of its medical products and raw materials, making it especially vulnerable to these global disruptions, highlighting the urgent need for increased local production.
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War, supply chains, and the case for Africa's pharmaceutical manufacturing - March 2026
Recent geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, are significantly disrupting global pharmaceutical supply chains, leading to increased costs and potential shortages of medicines in Africa. The National Farmers Union in the UK has warned that rising fuel and fertilizer costs, driven by the Iran conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, will likely lead to increased food prices. Meanwhile, a fierce competition is unfolding in the US weight-loss drug market, characterized by significant price cuts and direct-to-consumer sales as drugmakers struggle to gain traction due to a lack of widespread insurance coverage.
