Page 11 - LUA September - October 2024

transfer projects. Additionally, technical The use of drone technology, particularly
guidelines are being developed to promote by companies like Wingcopter, can
best practices for technology transfer and potentially revolutionise the delivery of
API production. medical supplies to remote and underserved
UNIDO is also working on another communities. By bypassing traditional
project in Senegal to enhance the country's infrastructure challenges, drones offer a
pharmaceutical sector with the support quick, reliable and cost-effective means of
of German GIZ. The project aims to transportation for essential medical supplies.
assess companies' readiness, identify This innovation holds the promise of
training needs, and strengthen local Drone delivery significantly improving access to healthcare
pharmaceutical production to make in regions that struggle with logistical and
Senegal a regional hub for pharmaceutical has rapidly gained infrastructural limitations.
manufacturing. Additionally, the project traction in Africa's "With the support of governments
focuses on identifying priority molecules pharmaceutical and international organisations, drone
and conducting feasibility assessments delivery networks can be set up to cover
for active pharmaceutical ingredient logistics, helping to entire countries, ultimately reducing costs
production in the country. overcome significant significantly. In any case, building the
Despite these initiatives, African infrastructure and necessary ground-based infrastructure to
pharmaceutical companies express achieve similar results in access to health
concerns about collaborating with logistical challenges. for underserved communities would cost
billions," said Thomas Dreiling, PR &
THOMAS DREILING Communications Manager, Wingcopter.
WINGCOPTER
Dreiling added, "The Wingcopter 198
can deliver urgently needed medical supplies
government healthcare providers due to within minutes, whereas ground-based
issues such as corruption, bribery, tender transport often requires several hours. We
fraud, and late or no payments. This lack thus reduce patients' waiting times and
of confidence in government support improve access to healthcare. In Malawi, we
poses challenges for the pharmaceutical have supplied remote villages with medical
industry in Africa. goods that had been cut off from the outside
But, this presents a great world because of flooding, ensuring people
opportunity for African have access to health services at all."
governments to enhance The Wingcopter 198 drone has a
their reputation and take maximum range of 94 kilometres. Even
advantage of the growth when carrying the maximum payload of 4.7
in the pharmaceutical kilograms, it can cover a distance of over 70
sector, ultimately reducing kilometres. Its quick-swap batteries minimise
international reliance. idle time, allowing it to be back in the air
According to a spokesperson within seconds. By setting up a network of
from Sun Pharma, African battery swap stations, the drone's range could
governments can play a be extended indefinitely. The Wingcopter
crucial role as this sector can also operate in harsh weather conditions,
is poised for growth. such as heavy wind or rain. In many parts
This could prove highly of the world, this makes the Wingcopter
profitable for many of superior to conventional delivery methods,
these companies, creating especially in terms of speed and reliability.
value for themselves. Africa's pharmaceutical logistics
Research indicates that not all sector faces significant infrastructure
private companies are concerned challenges, but growing investments,
about government support. In innovative solutions like drone technology,
fact, some private organisations like and public-private partnerships offer
Wingcopter, a German aerospace promising pathways for improvement.
company specialising in drones, Strengthening local manufacturing, cold-
collaborate with government organisations chain logistics, and regulatory frameworks
to facilitate last-mile pharmaceutical delivery is essential for Africa to reduce its
in Africa. It also partners with district dependence on imports and establish itself
hospitals to store and collect pharmaceuticals as a self-sufficient hub for pharmaceutical
before the last-mile delivery. production and distribution.

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