Increased availability of generic medicines is expected to grow revenues from $105 million to $188 million by 2014, according to a report by consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan.

Major buyers will be government and donor supported programmes. Tanzania’s government has been actively promoting the sub-sector dealing with paediatric formulations.

However, given the small size of the local manufacturing industry, most of the medicines that will produce the $83 million growth will have to be imported.

The World Health Organisation supported report also said lack of qualified pharmaceutical technicians and factory chemists has slowed growth of the manufacturing base. The eight drug manufacturers rely heavily on expatriates to provide technical expertise.

Analysts at Frost & Sullivan however said despite the challenges, Tanzania’s market presents lucrative opportunities for local manufacturers because the country is still free of most patent obligations, and also local manufacturers get preferential treatment during procurement.