Pharmacists in Nigeria indicate that low investment in domestic drug manufacturing is due to the profitability of imports, complicated by inadequate infrastructure. Ayuba Ibrahim, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, called for government intervention to improve local manufacturing conditions. The urgency for local vaccine production against malaria was echoed by health officials. Ned Nwoko highlighted the need for more effective strategies to combat malaria in Africa.
Pharmacists in Nigeria have highlighted the persistent issue of low investment and interest in local drug and vaccine manufacturing, primarily attributed to the profitability of imports. Ayuba Ibrahim, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, noted that the establishment of manufacturing plants in Nigeria is severely hindered by the country’s inadequate infrastructure.
During a malaria workshop hosted by the Ned Nwoko Foundation, Ibrahim elaborated on the capital-intensive nature of drug manufacturing in Nigeria, underscoring the challenges of unreliable electricity and insufficient water supply. As local manufacturers face higher operational costs, there is a prevailing trend towards importing drugs rather than investing in domestic production.
Ibrahim emphasized the need for governmental intervention to create a supportive environment for local manufacturing to thrive. He called for the declaration of a state of emergency in the pharmaceutical sector, urging the establishment of policies that alleviate burdens on manufacturers. This approach could enable Nigeria to produce essential medicines and vaccines, particularly for diseases like malaria, which cause significant annual fatalities.
Muhammad Pate, the coordinating minister for Health and Social Welfare, represented by Godwin Ntadom, stressed the critical role of vaccines in malaria elimination. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to using vaccines as a tool in their Renewed Hope Agenda, especially given Nigeria’s alarming statistics of malaria cases and deaths.
Pate assured that the Federal Ministry of Health would seek collaboration with the Ned Nwoko Foundation to build a sustainable vaccine manufacturing framework in Nigeria. He praised the Foundation’s dedication to reducing childhood mortality associated with malaria.
Ned Nwoko, the Foundation’s founder and Senator representing Delta North, described malaria as a leading public health concern in Africa and expressed dissatisfaction with the current efforts to combat the disease. He shared his initiative to sponsor legislation for the establishment of an agency focused on malaria research, vaccine production, and treatment under the Ministry of Health.
The lack of investment in Nigeria’s drug manufacturing sector remains a significant barrier, driven by infrastructural challenges and the prevailing favor of imports over local production. There is a pressing need for government action to support local manufacturers, particularly in combating diseases like malaria that take a heavy toll on lives. Collaborative efforts for establishing a sustainable vaccine production ecosystem are essential for improving public health outcomes.
Original Source: businessday.ng
