Health Minister Dr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu has emphasised the need for strategic partnerships in vaccine manufacturing, stressing the importance of collaboration among facilitators and stakeholders in the industry.
Dr. Manu noted that vaccine production requires the involvement of various parties to ensure efficient and effective manufacturing processes. These, he said, could be pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and regulatory bodies.
“Vaccine manufacturing is a game that needs strategic partnerships, a lot of facilitators and stakeholders; and I am not surprised that Atlantic Lifesciences have brought in PT Biofarma from Indonesia,” he said during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Atlantic Lifesciences and PT Biofarma to manufacture and supply Tetanus-Diphtheria bulk vaccine in Ghana.
According to the Health Minister, government’s dream is to ensure that Ghana becomes a vaccine-manufacturing country; therefore, the two companies coming together to manufacture vaccines in the country need to be appreciated.
He mentioned that additional measures are being taken to ensure the vaccines produced meet the required standards.
“Our next goal is to establish a bioequivalence centre in our country, which is almost completed. While we are confident that we will be able to launch it this year, if for any reason we are unable to do so, we will inaugurate it next year. The purpose of this centre is to conduct tests on new trials to ensure the efficacy of medicines and vaccines produced.”
In his remarks, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, Pahala Nugraha Mansury, highlighted the significance of the healthcare system’s security and the production of vaccines for the population’s overall healthcare quality – especially in light of lessons learned during the pandemic.
With this, Mr. Mansury believes the partnership is a step toward greater cooperation in vaccine manufacturing and distribution in the country. He expressed optimism for the collaboration between Biofarma and Atlantic Lifesciences in Ghana.
Regarding quality control and assurance, he noted that they have been working globally with organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure the vaccines produced meet global standards.
CEO-Atlantic Lifesciences, Tripathi Dhananjay, speaking on the partnership said: “Today, we stand united in our dedication to the production and supply of Tetanus-Diphtheria bulk vaccine. Tetanus and Diphtheria are formidable adversaries, and our joint efforts to provide a robust and reliable supply of the vaccine represent a significant stride toward the eradication of these preventable diseases in Africa and the world at large”.
Mr. Dhananjay added that the collaboration between PT Biofarma and Atlantic Lifesciences signifies a commitment to excellence, innovation and a shared responsibility to ensure life-saving vaccines are accessible to those who need them most.
He expressed optimism for the partnership with PT Biofarma – saying it will not only address the immediate health needs of the country Ghana but also extend beyond its borders to benefit the whole of Africa.
Production is expected to begin in 2024, with distribution to follow later in the year.
