Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers paid a visit to CIPLA Quality Chemicals Industries Ltd (CIPLA QCIL) in Luzira, a suburb of Kampala. They were impressed by the factory’s capability to produce essential medicines that African countries often import from other countries.
The CIPLA QCIL plant is one of the four pharmaceutical manufacturers in Africa that is accredited by the World Health Organisation to produce anti-retroviral drugs, anti-malarial drugs, and other essential medicines.
The delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, toured the factory on Friday, January 5, 2024, and commended the Ugandan government for establishing a factory that produces medicines tailored to address African problems.
Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Rt Hon. Ackson Tulia, expressed pride in Uganda’s efforts to provide African solutions to African problems. She also mentioned the readiness of the continent to embrace products from fellow African nations.
She was, however, concerned about the limited supply of medicines to only 15 countries in Africa and urged the government to consider the western market as well.
Tulia emphasized the potential for Africa to offer solutions to the rest of the world and encouraged CIPLA QCIL to expand its market beyond the continent.
The visiting Speakers, according to Tayebwa, have the influence to encourage their countries to consider importing essential medicines such as anti-retroviral drugs, anti-malarial drugs, and diabetes medications from Uganda, where they are currently manufactured at CIPLA QCIL.
Tayebwa highlighted the capacity of CIPLA QCIL compared to other companies from which some countries procure essential medicines. He commended the company for being a source of national and continental pride.
Emmanuel Katongole, Chairman of CIPLA QCIL, expressed gratitude to Parliament for facilitating the Speakers’ visit and stated the company’s readiness to expand its export market.
This content is distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.