GHS urges empowerment of local pharmaceutical companies to produce NTD medications

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has called for the empowerment of local pharmaceutical companies to produce medications for treating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the country.

Dr. Joseph Kwadwo Larbi Opare, Programme Manager for the NTD Programme at GHS, highlighted the need for local resource mobilization, especially as international funding for NTD treatments may eventually decline.

Dr. Opare explained that the NTD programme has historically lacked sufficient local support, particularly in Mass Drug Administration (MDA), and emphasized that strengthening local pharmaceutical industries could help ensure a sustainable approach to treating and preventing these diseases.

With Ghana being endemic for 14 out of 21 NTDs, Dr. Opare called for increased local ownership of NTD efforts to improve long-term health outcomes.