Pharmaceutical Industry : Sector Gets Fresh Impetus

As part of measures to improve the health sector in Cameroon, government has, through a mutually beneficial public-private partnership, opted for the construction of a factory for manufacturing essential drugs and medical devices. The project located at Meyo in the Yaounde VI Subdivision, Mfoundi Division of the Centre Region, has a total investment of FCFA 580 billion, piloted by the YICHENG Pharmaceutical Group Fabrication Co. Ltd, a Chinese Company. The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute, at the behest of the President of the Republic on October 3, 2025 laid the foundation stone for the construction of the project estimated to be executed within 15 months beginning October 2025.  
The project would be executed in three phases. The first phase consists of building the factory in the Meyo locality, to the tune of FCAF 30 billion, and the second would be the construction of a reference hospital, assessed at FCFA 250 billion. The third and final phase would be the expanding of the project within the CEMAC region, at a total cost of FCFA 300 billion. For the factory, its annual production capacity is projected at 100 million bottles, two billion ampoules, 10 billion tablets, and about 100 references of medicines and medical devices in six dosage forms. The main objective is reducing dependence on drug importation, reinforce the universal health coverage policy and enhance the development of the health industry. This is more so because statistics indicate that more than 90 per cent of drugs consumed in Cameroon are imported, exposing citizens to high cost and sometimes products of doubtful quality. 
In the speech of the Prime Minister at the event, the country is currently witnessing structural transformation and the factory will help develop a solid pharmaceutical industry which will satisfy the needs of the population in quality and quantity. Some of the benefits highlighted by the Prime Minister following the construction of the factory would be improving access and availability of essential drugs, drop in the prices, reinforcement of the l...