Medicine Supply Rises Following Macroeconomic Reform: Pharmaceutical Supply Service

Addis Ababa, May 10, 2025 (ENA) -- The Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) emphasized that the macroeconomic reform has significantly raised the contribution of private sector to the country's medicine supply.

Ethiopia has been implementing wide-ranging macroeconomic reforms since July 2024 with the objective of correcting imbalances in foreign exchange, strengthening the balance of payments, constructing the monetary policy framework, and managing inflation.

The reforms have seen significant gains in various areas over the past nine months including medicine supply in the country.

The Director General of EPSS, Abdelkadir Gelgelo told ENA that previously private sector participation in the provision of medicine was limited, but the sector has already opened with the recent macroeconomic changes.

According to him, the reform has been alleviating foreign exchange deficits and improving the competitiveness of locally-based pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The director general also elaborated that the macroeconomic reform has yielded the expansion of the market and increased opportunities for the private sector participation, as the sector has opened to all interested parties.

As a result, the number of local suppliers has increased, proving the country's desire to build a medicine supply system that is self-sustaining, he added.

EPSS has been carrying out legal and institutional reform focusing on consolidating the medicine supply chain even more, he said, noting a three-year contract has been signed to ensure the constant flow of important medicines through a steady supply system.