The government has stepped up efforts to restore local production of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Seif Shekalaghe, on Monday inspected the Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (TPI) plant in Arusha to assess its readiness for reopening.
Dr. Shekalaghe said the visit follows a directive by the Minister for Health, Mr. Mohamed Mchengerwa, instructing the ministry to fast-track the revival of the factory, which has been inactive for several years.
“This plant must be brought back to life so that it can return to producing essential medicines. It has been idle for too long, and the minister tasked me to evaluate what is needed for production to resume,” Dr. Shekalaghe told reporters during the tour.
He confirmed that the government, through the Medical Stores Department (MSD) and the Treasury Registrar, has already entered a partnership with TPI.
The agreement has been signed, paving the way for rehabilitation works and operational preparations.
According to him, technical teams from both sides have agreed to establish a joint task force comprising board members and management representatives to oversee the revival process an arrangement he said is already 90 percent complete.
“The experts are now finalising quality assessments of the existing machinery to determine what should be repaired, replaced or upgraded,” he added.
Dr. Shekalaghe emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader industrial agenda, which prioritises reviving local manufacturing and attracting investment in strategic health sectors.
He said strengthening domestic pharmaceutical production will reduce costs, enhance supply security and improve access to essential medicines.
“With a functional plant, Tanzania will be better positioned to produce its own medicines and reduce dependence on imports,” he said.