PSN advocates local production of drugs
The Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Abia chapter, Mr Christopher Egwom, has urged government to encourage local manufacturing of drugs to reduce importation and for easy access.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Wednesday, and emphasised strict supervision to avoid compromising standards.
The pharmacist, who acknowledged that local drug manufacturing would experience some initial challenges, noted, however, that “the problems
can be overcome with time.”
He advised government to meet with eggheads in the pharmaceutical industry to share ideas on what was needed, the challenges, funding, and the way forward.
The PSN chairman said “there are many local drug manufacturers who should be encouraged to produce locally instead of importation.
“We all should be aware that when local production kicks off fully, there will be shortage of some of those products whose importation will need to be cut for some time, so,
we should prepare ourselves for such a time.
“However, if the local drug production plan is properly organised, we won’t experience shortage for a long time, and we will come out stronger and better as a country.
“We need good understanding and communication between the regulatory bodies and drug producers to enable us to know exactly the country’s weak and strong points in drug
production process.”
Egwom added that the country would also need to embrace adequate manufacturing and regulatory measures to ensure the survival, growth and expansion of local drug industry, saying that
government should collaborate with local manufacturers who have access to special loan facilities from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure sustainable production.
He also urged government to invest in infrastructure that would support the new industry to make it self-sufficient in no distant time, while boosting capacity to even produce for export.
“We have the manpower and the brains to achieve all these but we lack the infrastructure and the enabling economic environment. However, with determination, government can make it work. (NAN)
