Health 20 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Dei BioPharma Urges Government Support for Local Drug Manufacturing
Dei BioPharma CEO Farouk Minawa has urged the Ugandan government to prioritize local pharmaceutical procurement, arguing it's essential for the company's credibility and international market access. The National Medical Stores (NMS) has outlined specific pathways for the company to secure government orders. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-pledges-procurement-realignments-as-dei-biopharma-demands-nms-backing-5565350
The ambition for Uganda to become a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing powerhouse faces a critical hurdle: securing domestic market access for locally produced medicines. Farouk Minawa, CEO of Dei BioPharma, highlighted this challenge during a recent visit to the company’s facility by the State Minister for Economic Monitoring, Sandra Alum Santa.
Minawa stressed that while Dei BioPharma is designed for international markets, endorsement from the National Medical Stores (NMS), the country’s primary medical procurement agency, is a crucial first step. He questioned the logic of foreign markets importing Ugandan drugs when the national supplier has yet to do so. Securing domestic orders, he believes, would not only bolster credibility but also help overcome the perception that imported medicines are superior.
The multi-billion shilling facility, which began operations in 2021 and has received significant government funding, sees supplying the state as a core obligation to its investors. Minister Santa echoed these sentiments, stating it’s unacceptable for Uganda to spend valuable foreign exchange on imported drugs when domestic capacity exists.
Acknowledging past issues with inter-agency coordination hindering local businesses, Minister Santa assured that the government is working to align procurement processes to favor domestic innovation. However, NMS spokesperson Sheila Nduhukire clarified that new entrants aren’t guaranteed orders. NMS continues to honor existing contracts under the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy.
Nduhukire outlined two primary routes for Dei BioPharma to gain NMS orders: either by taking a portion of products currently supplied by others, or by specializing in medicines not yet manufactured locally to secure full allocations. This approach aims to integrate new manufacturers while managing existing supply chains.