Iran to Study Animal Vaccines Production in Zimbabwe

A visiting delegation of Iranian officials and representatives of pharmaceuticals interests has prompted local reports that drugmakers from that country are to establish animal vaccines manufacturing plants in Zimbabwe.

The reports claim that a senior official of Iranian animal vaccines producer Razi Institution was among the delegates at a high-level meeting with Zimbabwe's agriculture minister. The official reportedly claimed that Iran is evaluating local production of vaccines for anthrax, foot and mouth and other animal diseases.

Zimbabwe's agricultural production has been hard hit by years of droughts and a controversial land reform programme, in which widely reported mismanagement has resulted in a drastic reduction in cattle numbers. Further, as copy and counterfeit medicines remain the focus of the country's pharmaceutical activity, Zimbabwe's government is likely to relish the opportunity to engage in new and lucrative export trade.