An industry analysis of pharmaceutical production in South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the shifting structure of pharmaceutical production in South Africa and examine the global and local factors that have contributed to this change. Generally, these factors have resulted in a decline in the number of pharmaceutical manufacturers in South Africa and in particular manufacturing operations owned by multinational companies. Simultaneously the global demand for generic medicines has increased due to their ability to improve access to affordable medicines. As a result, the supply of medicines in South Africa is being increasingly met by imported generic medicines and to a lesser extent locally manufactured generic medicines. These changes, together with a turbulent and sometimes uncertain regulatory environment, have led to interesting dynamics and changes within the structure of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in South Africa.