Challenges Hindering Nigeria’s Aspiration to Become a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hub

Pharmacists in Nigeria acknowledge that the slow progress in establishing a drug manufacturing hub is due to low investment and reliance on imports, which are more profitable. Ayuba Ibrahim highlighted the capital-intensive nature of setting up a manufacturing plant given the poor infrastructure. The government must create a supportive environment for local manufacturers to flourish, especially in producing life-saving medicines and vaccines for diseases like malaria.

Pharmacists in Nigeria have indicated that the pharmaceutical industry struggles to develop a robust manufacturing hub due to a lack of investment in drug and vaccine production. The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ayuba Ibrahim, emphasized that importing drugs remains more lucrative for investors due to the region’s inadequate infrastructure, making local manufacturing less competitive.

According to Ibrahim, establishing a drug manufacturing facility in Nigeria requires considerable capital investment, compounded by unreliable power and water supply. Manufacturers must generate their own electricity and establish water treatment facilities, significantly increasing their operational costs. Consequently, locally produced medicines often become more expensive than those imported.

Ibrahim highlighted the necessity for the government to create a supportive environment for local drug production. He urged government officials to declare an emergency in the pharmaceutical sector and enact policies aimed at alleviating the burdens faced by manufacturers. By doing so, Nigeria could produce essential medicines and vaccines to address diseases such as malaria, which remains a significant health issue.

Furthermore, Muhammad Pate, the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, represented by Godwin Ntadom, noted that vaccines are crucial for combating malaria. He reiterated the urgency of initiating local vaccine production, as Nigeria accounts for over 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of related deaths. The government is committed to addressing this public health concern.

Ned Nwoko, the founder of the Ned Nwoko Foundation and a senator representing Delta North, stressed the need for extensive efforts to combat malaria effectively. As part of his initiatives, Nwoko has sponsored a bill aimed at establishing a dedicated agency for malaria research, vaccine production, and treatment under the Ministry of Health, highlighting the inadequate achievements of the existing presidential task force on malaria.

The article reveals the significant challenges facing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry in establishing a robust drug manufacturing sector. Key issues include high operating costs and inadequate infrastructure, which lead to a reliance on imports. To enhance local manufacturing, the government must implement supportive policies, particularly in vaccine production to combat health crises like malaria.

Original Source: businessday.ng