Pharmaceutical manufacturers have recently gained significant relief from their foreign exchange woes. A letter dispatched three months ago by Eyob Tekalign (PhD), state minister for Finance, outlines a scheme designed to meet nearly half of the manufacturers' international suppliers' requests for settlement.

This measure eases the process for manufacturers to propose up to 55pc of their cost in foreign currency when they enter an agreement to import raw materials and supply the state-owned Service. It is an attempt to ease the operational difficulties they face due to the foreign currency crunch, which has recently severely impacted their production schedules and the broader health sector.

The scheme requires an effort from a network of interested parties, including the Ministry of Health, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS), the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, and the Public Procurement & Property Authority. While the responsibility of approving proposed agreements lies with the central bank's regulators, ensuring that direct transfer payments reach international suppliers is entrusted to the Ministry of Health.

Gebeyaw Yitayew, head of the procurement directorate at the Authority, told Fortune they have the mandate to adjust the bids floated by the Pharmaceutical Supply Service.

The scheme emerges against a backdrop of persistent complaints from manufacturers about the scarcity of foreign currency allocations. Late last year, the Suply Service expressed concerns to the Ministry of Finance, outlining that despite paying equivalent amounts to banks after initiating letters of credit, delays in foreign exchange availability have been disrupting their delivery timelines.

These operational hitches have been detrimental to the manufacturers' market share, which has dwindled from 28pc four years ago to a mere eight per cent last year. According to leaders of the Association, when working at full capacity, these manufacturers can meet 40pc of the demand by the state-owned Pharmaceutical Supply Service. However, to achieve such an output, they would need an estimated 240 million dollars for importing materials annually.

Daniel Waktole, the president of the Association, which comprises 23 members employing over 7,000 people, commends the State Minister's gesture.

"It`s a big move," Daniel told Fortune.

Domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing dates back to 1964, when it began as a joint venture between the government and the British-based Smith & Nephew Associate Plc. However, the industry has faced numerous challenges over the years, with the shortage of foreign currency being the most conspicuous, driving several companies out of the market.

These include the Chinese-owned Sansheng Pharmaceutical Plc, which has halted operations or intermittently operated below capacity.