Ramaphosa calls for reduced dependence on imported medicines [SOUND]

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says Africa must reduce its dependence on imported medicines and manufacture its own pharmaceuticals, vaccines, therapeutics and protective equipment. Delivering a public lecture on SADC Vision 2050, in Durban, Ramaphosa says the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the continent’s vulnerability when countries struggled to secure vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment. He says the Southern African Development Community’ s pooled procurement mechanism could create market certainty, attract investment and accelerate manufacturing: