By Kemi Akintokun
In order to ensure self-sufficiency and medicine security in the country, experts in the pharmaceutical sector urge governments to prioritise investment and provide enabling environment for local drugs and medicines manufacturers.
The pharmacists made the call in Lagos, at the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1985 graduation class of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu.
The three-day event was tagged “Pharmily Circle” 85 Ruby Celebration.
The President of the class, Mr Dozie Chukwuanu, said “the country has what it takes to be self-sufficient but needs government’s will to change the country’s dependency on drugs importation and boost local production”.
Chukwuanu, Head, Strategic Business Development at Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the need for robust regulations and increased surveillance at the borders to tackle the influx of fake drugs into the country.
“We need government’s will to boost local production of drugs; 80 per cent of most drugs are organic compound that are from petrochemicals.
“Countries like South Korea, India and China don’t have these petrochemicals, some of them import it from Nigeria and make Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients out of it and sell back to us.
“This was made possible for the industry in these countries because of their government’s will, support and they know the importance of drug security.
“NAFDAC is doing a lot but if surveillance in the various points of entry to the country is poor, fake drugs will continue to find their way into Nigeria and continue to put our health at risks,” he said.
Speaking on the event, the president said the 40th celebration was a homecoming put together for the class members to catch-up, interact and thank God for sparing their lives.
“We graduated 40 years ago from UNN; some of us have not seen one other since we left school, so, this is a reunion for us to interact and reconnect,” he said.
Speaking also, Dr Obinna Okereke, the owner of CYNOB Pharmacy in California, U.S., urged governments to put strong policies and procedures in place to address the influx of fake drugs into the country.
Okereke, Chairman, Planning Committee of the event, urged NAFDAC to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tackle the influx of substandard drugs that has increased the burden of diseases and mortality in the country.
“We know some of the countries where Nigerians import drugs and there is need for NAFDAC and the foreign affairs ministry to liase with these countries.
“These countries can prevail over their manufacturers not to yield to the demand of wicked Nigerians importing substandard medicines into the country.
“Most of these medicines imported to Nigeria from India or China don’t enter their market because they know they don’t have the standards or adequate ingredients,” he said.
He said the set provided 40 laptops to their Alma Mata as part of their celebration, adding that they had always been in touch with the university and supported the institution in various ways.
“Graduating from university 40 years ago is a thing of joy for us and that is why we are gathered to celebrate this feat made possible by God.
“We were able to raise enough funds to bring our members here from their various locations and provide accommodation for them for the period of this celebration,” he said.
Speaking also, Prof. Chukwuemeka Nworu, Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in UNN, congratulated the 1985 set for the feat of celebrating 40 years of having graduated from the prestigious university.
“I was in primary five when this set graduated from UNN, but I’m happy to be here to celebrate this set of people for their support and contribution to the faculty at all times,” he said.
Nworu noted that the profession had evolved over the years hence the need for more investment to boost local production of drugs.
“The pharmaceutical sector is a critical aspect of the nation’s healthcare, the potential in the sector is huge and government needs to do more of it.
“If we are self-sufficient in drugs production, it will not only improve the health and wellbeing of Nigerians but will boost our economy and provide more jobs for more Nigerians,” he said. (NAN)(nannews.com.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
