Nigeria’s pharmacists report that low investment in drug manufacturing persists due to the profitability of imports. Establishing manufacturing plants requires significant capital due to infrastructural challenges. There is a call for government support to create a conducive environment for local production, especially for malaria treatments. This aligns with efforts to enhance vaccine production to combat the country’s high malaria burden.
Pharmacists in Nigeria highlighted that low investment and interest in drug and vaccine manufacturing remain prevalent because importing drugs is often more financially attractive. Ayuba Ibrahim, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, stated that establishing a drug manufacturing plant is highly capital-intensive due to poor infrastructure in the country.
During a malaria workshop by the Ned Nwoko Foundation, Ibrahim explained that local manufacturers find it difficult to compete with imported drugs due to high operational costs. Consequently, stakeholders prefer to import rather than invest in manufacturing. Ibrahim noted, “It is very capital-intensive to set up a drug manufacturing plant in Nigeria because of our lack of infrastructure.”
He elaborated that unreliable electricity supply requires manufacturers to generate their own power, and insufficient water supply necessitates the establishment of private water treatment facilities. This results in locally produced drugs being more expensive than imported ones. To foster local manufacturing, Ibrahim urged the government to create a more supportive environment.
He called for an emergency declaration in the pharmaceutical sub-sector and the implementation of policies that would ease the operational burden on manufacturers. This shift, he argued, would help Nigeria produce essential medicines and vaccines for diseases such as malaria.
Muhammad Pate, the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, represented by Godwin Ntadom, emphasized the need for vaccines to help eliminate malaria. He highlighted the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims not only to eliminate malaria but also to leverage vaccines in this endeavor. With Nigeria being home to over 27% of the world’s malaria cases, the need for local vaccine production is urgent.
Pate assured that the Federal Ministry of Health would work with the Ned Nwoko Foundation to create a sustainable ecosystem for malaria vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria and praised the Foundation’s efforts in reducing childhood mortality.
Ned Nwoko, founder of the Foundation and Senator representing Delta North, recognized malaria as a significant public health threat in Africa. He expressed frustration at the insufficient actions to address the issue effectively and mentioned legislative efforts, saying, “As a lawmaker, I have sponsored a bill to establish an agency dedicated to malaria research, vaccine production, and treatment.”
The article outlines the challenges faced by Nigeria in becoming a medicine manufacturing hub, primarily due to high costs and inadequate infrastructure. Pharmacists call for government intervention to support local manufacturing, particularly in producing lifesaving drugs and vaccines. The Minister of Health stressed the urgency of local vaccine production in combating malaria, while Senator Nwoko emphasized legislative efforts to foster research and development in this area.
Original Source: businessday.ng
