Portfolio Pharmaceuticals Botswana begins local ARV production to strengthen medicine security
Portfolio Pharmaceuticals Botswana has completed a technology transfer from an international manufacturing partner, equipping local specialists with the skills needed to formulate, manufacture, and test medicines while maintaining quality standards.
BOTSWANA – Portfolio Pharmaceuticals Botswana has produced the country’s first locally manufactured antiretroviral (ARV) medicines at its facility in Phakalane, marking a step towards strengthening domestic pharmaceutical production and reducing dependence on imported medicines.
The development is expected to improve Botswana’s capacity to secure essential medicines and reduce its exposure to disruptions in international supply chains, particularly when global manufacturers prioritise larger markets.
Technology transfer builds local manufacturing capacity
Portfolio Pharmaceuticals Botswana has completed a technology transfer from an international manufacturing partner, equipping local specialists with the skills needed to formulate, manufacture, and test medicines while maintaining quality standards.
Following the transfer, local pharmacists, scientists and technicians produced and tested the initial ARV batches.
The exercise also provided practical experience in pharmaceutical production, laboratory testing and quality assurance, helping to develop the technical workforce needed to support a domestic manufacturing industry.
However, the products must first complete regulatory assessment by the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) before they can enter the market and become available for patient use.
Assistant Minister of Health Lawrence Ookeditse welcomed the development, highlighting the role domestic production could play in addressing medicine shortages.
He noted that international suppliers sometimes prioritise markets with higher demand, potentially leaving smaller countries vulnerable to supply constraints.
Local manufacturing would give Botswana greater flexibility to replenish medicine stocks and respond to changing demand, while creating employment opportunities for pharmacists, scientists, technicians and other skilled professionals.
Ookeditse also encouraged Portfolio Pharmaceuticals Botswana to explore export opportunities, particularly in other African markets where access to reliable pharmaceutical supplies remains a challenge.
Expansion into other therapeutic areas
Beyond its immediate healthcare benefits, the investment supports Botswana’s broader economic diversification agenda.
Developing domestic pharmaceutical production could strengthen technical expertise, encourage local procurement, create skilled jobs and gradually reduce the country’s reliance on imported medicines.
Portfolio Pharmaceuticals Botswana also plans to expand its manufacturing portfolio through additional technology transfers, including producing medicines for chronic diseases.
This expansion would allow the company to serve a wider range of healthcare needs while building on the manufacturing expertise developed through its initial ARV production programme.
It also reflects a wider opportunity for African pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop regional production capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience.
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