FDA approves production of snake anti-venom – Akandoh. In a significant stride toward self-reliance in the healthcare sector, Ghana has received the green light from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for the commercial production of Snake Anti-Venom Serum. This landmark development was announced by the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during his address at the Government Accountability Series on Friday, July 18. The minister hailed the FDA’s market authorisation as a defining moment in Ghana’s pharmaceutical manufacturing journey and a major leap toward reducing the country’s dependence on imported medical supplies.
According to Minister Akandoh, the production authorisation was granted to a private sector pharmaceutical partner after rigorous evaluation and collaboration among several key stakeholders, including the National Vaccine Institute, the FDA, and industry experts. He expressed his enthusiasm about the development, describing it as the next chapter in the government’s broader plan to transform Ghana from a passive consumer of medical products into an active producer.
“I am happy to inform you that one of our private sector partners has obtained market authorisation from Ghana’s FDA to produce Snake Anti-Venom Serum on a commercial scale,” the Minister announced. “This marks a significant step forward in our vision of shifting Ghana from a consumer to a producer nation when it comes to essential medicines and health solutions.”
FDA approves production of snake anti-venom – Akandoh
Snakebites are a persistent and often overlooked public health issue in many parts of Ghana, particularly in rural and agricultural communities. For years, access to effective anti-venom has been hampered by supply shortages, high import costs, and logistical challenges. The ability to produce anti-venom serum locally, therefore, holds life-saving potential, especially for vulnerable populations that rely on timely access to such critical treatments.
The Minister further elaborated on the collaborative efforts that led to this milestone. He highlighted the important role played by the National Vaccine Institute in coordinating efforts between regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure that safety, efficacy, and quality standards were not compromised in the approval process.
“This approval is not just a regulatory tick,” he explained. “It is the result of sustained collaboration between the National Vaccine Institute, the FDA, and our dedicated pharmaceutical industry partners. It reflects the growing maturity and capacity of our regulatory institutions to support innovation without sacrificing quality or safety.”
Akandoh also emphasized that the development is a step toward the fulfillment of the government’s long-term vision of making Ghana a regional hub for pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting local innovation and production, particularly in light of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the risks of over-reliance on imported health commodities.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the government has pledged and remains dedicated to making Ghana a centre for vaccine manufacture,” he said. “In this regard, the National Vaccine Institute is actively working in partnership with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to bring this vision to life.”
Beyond the immediate impact on snakebite treatment, the Minister believes this initiative will stimulate growth in the local pharmaceutical industry, create jobs, build technical expertise, and position Ghana as a leader in health product innovation within the West African sub-region. He also called for continued investment in health research and regulatory capacity building to maintain momentum in this transformative journey.
In closing, Minister Akandoh urged Ghanaians to view this achievement not as an isolated event, but as part of a larger, ongoing effort to reclaim agency over the country’s health security and pharmaceutical future. “This is only the beginning,” he affirmed. “We are working tirelessly to ensure that Ghana becomes a beacon of pharmaceutical self-sufficiency, not only for our own people but for our neighbors across Africa.”
As the country moves toward full-scale commercial production of the Snake Anti-Venom Serum, this moment signals a hopeful and promising direction for public health, local industry, and national resilience.
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