Why Govt Investment, Patronage Will Secure Local Drug Production
Nigeria drug manufacturers say direct government investment and an increase in patronage will secure local drug production.
The manufacturers under the umbrella of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) noted that the exit and divestment of many multinationals does not pose a scare to the drug industry which has the capability and capacity to meet local demands “only if government will show more political will to secure local drug production”.
The drug manufacturers warn that the government’s development of the right policies for an enabling environment is only 10 percent of the work. Still, an intentional follow-up of the policies requires 90% of the government’s political will to coordinate the efficiency of the policies.
They describe intentional political coordination in purchasing locally produced drugs as a measure of encouraging local drug security
President of the drug manufacturers Pharmacist Oluwatosin Jolayemi said this in his keynote at the 13th Annual Symposium and Awards by Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) titled: “Dwindling Local Drug Production and High Cost of Essential Medicines: Rethinking Strategies for Growth”
Jolayemi, represented by the Executive Secretary of the drug manufacturers, Pharmacist Frank Muonemeh, noted that contrary to the notion that local production was dwindling, “In reality, the situation is quite the opposite when examined empirically”.
According to Muonemeh, “Pre covid19, we had a 70%:30% ratio of imported drugs to locally produced drugs. Today, post covid19 his ratio has improved to 55%:45% thanks largely to lessons learned during the pandemic”.
He disclosed that at present, there are 165 local drug manufacturing outlets in Nigeria with members of the Group heading 135 others producing in the country.
The PMG-MAN leader attributed the boost in local drug production to government’s policy on self-reliance as well as the patronage by donor agencies for intervention programmes in the country.
“The disruptions caused by the pandemic highlighted the importance of ensuring that future pandemics do not disrupt the supply chain of life-saving commodities”, he noted.
The drug manufacturers reiterate their stance on Medicine Security status for the country insisting on absolute control of how all medicines are produced from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to excipients and to finished formulations including research and development.
Jolayemi averred that PMG-MAN’s concept of the security of medicines emphasises the government’s intentional investment in and patronage of locally produced medicines.
He said Nigeria needs to emulate the concrete strategy showcased by India, China, and Bangladesh which prioritised their local drug industries from external security risks.
“Building a robust local pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem is essential for shielding the country from future uncertainties.
“Multinational corporations may divest and leave Nigeria due to economic challenges but the local manufacturers will stay and fight multiple challenges simultaneously”, the PMG-MAN boss added.