The performance of pharmaceutical industry in Tanzania: A case Study of Selected Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Enterprises in Dar es Salaam Region

This study aimed at examining the performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises in Tanzania. The study was carried out in Dar es Salaam region. The study examined the factors influencing performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises in Tanzania, the impact of public policies and the influence of regulatory bodies in the performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises in Tanzania. To achieve these, questionnaire, interview and documentary review were used for data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and qualitative data were analyzed by using descriptive ways. Study findings showed that the performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing industries is constrained by unavailability of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), power crisis and machinery spare parts. Shortage of skilled personnel and limited research and development undermine the performance of pharmaceutical enterprises. Further, findings show that the national industrial and national drug policy in place is not clearly stated, and it has therefore failed to show the significant impacts on the performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises. Additionally, delay licensing, irregular inspection and approve of medical product by Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) slowdown drugs productions which in turn undermine the performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises. Therefore, pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises, regulatory bodies and research institutions need to work in collaboration in order to improve the performance of the pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises.