Public Health Act and Vaccine Manufacturing in Ghana

Abstract

Objective: To analyze Ghana's Public Health Act 2012 applying the CRuPAC policy review methodology regarding its adequacy and provisions for enabling domestic vaccine manufacturing, especially considering shortages during the COVID-19 response.  Method: Granular examination of Ghana law's relevant sections pertaining to infectious disease control, biologics regulation and health emergency directives. Contrasted with vaccine manufacturing policy approaches from India, Brazil and Mexico. Assessed against imperatives around ethics, equity and WHO technological capability transfer guidance.Results: Determined Act originally lacks explicit clauses directly addressing vaccine development ecosystems. However, stop-gap utilization of certain clauses governing inoculations, public health emergencies and biologics were justifiably invoked amid COVID to facilitate interim domestic production. Long-term sustainability requires dedicated institutes, private incentives and public infrastructure policies akin to analog countries. Contributions: Structured analysis revealed legal limitations but also ethical grounds for temporary interventions expanding vaccine access, until amended legislation transforms the Act into an instrument actively enabling self-reliance.Practical Significance: Informs resource allocation and policy reforms for vaccine equity globally post-pandemic. Provides developing country policymakers a framework to scientifically evaluate laws regarding health security aims.

Keywords: Vaccine manufacturing, Health legislation, Public policy, Equity, Self-reliance

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/139-05

Publication date: January 31^st 2024