As soon as the implementation of the Masterplan starts, the opportunities for the local pharmaceutical industry to participate in the delivery of drugs to the public sector will increase. The gradual shift from the present EDP kits to a requisition based supply and distribution of drugs and medical supplies to rural hearth facilities will enable local manufacturers to compete for the supply to these units through CMS too. The new environment in which these manufacturers operate should allow them to enter the competition with foreign suppliers at least on even terms.

The PSU will support the industry by informing them about national drug requirements and data on drug importation. The local manufacturers are thus in a better position to plan and coordinate their production and importation of raw materials.

As soon as the Tanzanian standards for GMP are developed, specifying the minimum requirements for proper production of Pharmaceuticals of good and assured quality, it becomes the responsibility of the industries concerned to meet the required standards in time to become GMP certified by the Pharmacy Board. If certified and in a better position to plan and implement production of local requirements for drugs, the industry should be able to compete with success for CMS tenders and may be in a better position to attract foreign partners for possible joint ventures.

Substantial responsibility for the future success of the local pharmaceutical industry thus lies with the manufacturers themselves, to meet GMP standards and to win tenders through competitive pricing and/or favourable policies and agreements (eg. with CMS) on the distribution of their drugs.