It is also important in combating falsified, substandard and counterfeit pharmaceutical products, which pose threat to the economy and security of the nation.
Meanwhile, Nigeria and other African countries spend at least $14 billion on importation of pharmaceutical products needed in the continent, owing to lack of capacity in local products, according to the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa’s Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe.The Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria , Dr.
“With about 200 million people, Nigeria cannot depend on importation of drugs, unless its population suffers from various health hazards. He said there are numerous challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry, among which are access to finance to set up appropriate infrastructure and good pharmaceutical quality management system, in line with the World Health Organisation pre-qualification standard and benchmark.
Others are: difficulties in the overdependence of imported raw materials; weak technology and engineering base; weak industrial linkages and supply chain ; weak regulatory environment; poor funding and lack of access of credit; and multiple taxations and levies. Ayebae said while the sector thought of the drug policy to be the strongest illustration of government to achieve an enabling health professional drug policy for Nigeria, it has not implemented up to four per cent of the entire policy till date.
“It is time we got ready as a country, it does not matter how much we talk, without a strong regulatory system we cannot boast of quality drugs. To have a strong regulatory system is to build internal capacity and capability.“The role of NAFDAC is to enhance and strengthen the local manufacturers so that the million people that died because of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in Africa will not repeat itself.
“The question arises that why is Africa poor and why is Nigeria poor? The reason why we are poor is because there are no enough economic policies for people to create wealth. He said out of five pharmaceutical companies that were qualified by international organisation to manufacture and sell drugs, three of the companies have liquidated as at today, because of the non-favourable and harsh economic environment, while some were sold off.
“It has become necessary to ensure all machines for pharmaceutical production are zero duty. This is aimed at supporting local pharma industries to grow and ensure competitiveness. The sector had come a long way despite numerous challenges, but it has contributed to national building through paying taxes, tariffs and employs over 300, 000 person in direct and indirect jobs,” he added.
“India companies are encouraged to examine opportunities and advantages as well as consider setting up their units in Nigeria to increase their localisation content, which would be the best way to sustain and promote economic and commercial growth,” he added.
Others include: ensuring local manufacturing of vaccines in Nigeria healthcare and ensuring implementation of the Executive Order 003 among Ministries Departments and Agencies ; and to ensure the sector is a net exporter of pharma products to Economic Community of West African States / the African Continental Free Trade Agreement countries and beyond in the next three years.
Alaneme said this industry is expected to process pharmaceutical chemicals into synthetic medicinal substance, including the output of several intermediate substances.”Mamora said: “We need to work together in unity of purpose. Part of the bane of the health sector is inter and intra professional rivalry within the health sectors, it outweighs us and we need to down play that.
Nowadays every drugs u take from Indian ppl.