Atlantic Lifesciences Limited, Ghana’s leading sterile pharmaceutical manufacturer, has called on the government to review L.I. 2255, a regulation imposing fees on imported packaging materials, which the company says hinders local drug production and vaccine manufacturing.
CEO Mr. Dhananjay Tripalki stressed the urgent need for policy reforms to make local pharmaceutical manucturing more competitive.
“When we import packaging materials, we pay fees under L.I. 2255, whereas imported finished pharmaceutical products are exempt. If this regulation is reviewed, it will greatly support local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers,” Tripalki said.
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Speaking to the media after a tour of the company by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, he indicated that the company is expanding its production to include antiretroviral drugs, antibiotics, vaccines, and biological products, which have traditionally been imported.
“Some of these medicines were supplied by donor agencies, but now we have the capacity to manufacture them locally. Government support is critical to fully realize this potential,” he explained.
Tripalki also cited challenges with water supply for manufacturing and appealed for support from development institutions to expand production capacity.
The daily water consumption of the company, he said, is about 5,000 liters, indicating that although supply exists, it is insufficient. “Any intervention from the government or development banks would be very helpful,” he noted.
Dr. Kurt Nawaane, Chairman of the Health Committee, praised the company’s contributions to Ghana’s healthcare sector and pledged parliamentary support.
“Atlantic Lifesciences has grown remarkably since our last visit. Their operations provide jobs, train local students, and strengthen healthcare delivery. We will continue to advocate for policies that support them,” Dr. Nawaane said.
Atlantic Lifesciences manufactures a wide range of sterile pharmaceutical products including large-volume parenterals, small-volume injections, eye/ear/nasal drops, anesthetic solutions, vaccines, and biological products, all under WHO cGMP standards and routine Ghana FDA inspection.
The call for L.I. 2255 review underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen Ghana’s pharmaceutical sovereignty and reduce dependence on imported medicines, supporting both local industry growth and national health security.