Landscape assessment of research, development, and technology transfer practices in the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Globally, the pharmaceutical industry has indispensable contribution in public health and sustainable economic growth. However, its technological complexity and finance-intensive nature limited most developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa from keeping pace and get benefited from the sector. In Ethiopia, despite its over six decades operation, the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector could not apparently contribute in the national healthcare, research capacity, technology transfer and overall economic growth. This study explored the state of R&D and technology transfer practices by the local pharmaceutical industry. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving purposively selected technical experts from all 15 actively operating local pharmaceutical companies was conducted between 15 December 2024 and 15 January 2025. Data were collected with structured survey questionnaire and observational checklist. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.7 and analysed using SPSS version 25. The study participants disclosed varied level of engagement in technology transfer but only one-third (33.3%) maintained R&D units for conventional formulation development. Conversely, the experts indicated strong R&D and technology transfer understanding; several of them mentioned engagement in practical implementations. Technical capacity limitations, exclusion of R&D investment from regular government support schemes, and joint venture arrangements by considerable number companies that have foreign affiliates for R&D and technology transfer, and financial constraints were reported major challenges. Extensive reliance on foreign partnerships for technology transfer was found to significantly hamper their competitiveness and capacity utilization. The technical experts appreciated the positive impact of technology transfer on innovation, quality management, productivity and regulatory compliance. Yet, most companies lacked resources and technical expertise for effective research and technology transfer which is necessary for sustainable growth and competitiveness. R&D and technology transfer practices in the local pharmaceutical companies were found to be weak and restricted. Addressing critical bottlenecks and leveraging opportunities requires strategic interventions through a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness of the sector.