The Federal Ministry of Health says it is collaborating with Neimeth an indigenous manufacturing company producing anti-hypertensive drugs.

 

In a presentation of the programme, in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Linus Awute, said that Health Ministry is poised to support the laudable initiative as championed by Neimeth to ensure good health care delivery to Nigerians. ‘The initiative is in line with the National Drug Policy (NDP) and Essential Medicines list (EML) in making drugs available and affordable to Nigerians. This partnership is under an innovative programme called FITGAH (Fight the Good Fight against Hypertension).

 

It is unique judging from its four-pronged strategy of: awareness creation, availability of anti-hypertensive drugs, affordability of anti-hypertensive medicines and action, which involves screening and administration of medicines’, he said.

 

He further pledged to continue to partner with Neimeth because of the positive role played by the company during the Ebola scourge.

 

 

Welcoming  guest to the occasion, the Director, Department of Food and Drugs Services, Mrs. G. M. O. Chukumah, informed that about 4.5 million Nigerians over the age of 15 are hypertensive adding that its prevalence is much in urban than rural communities.  She also reaffirmed that Neimeth’s intervention is to make drugs accessible, safe, qualitative and affordable to Nigerians.

 

In his response, the MD/CEO Neimeth international pharmaceuticals plc, Pharmacist Ekunno Emmanuel said that Neimeth has decided to cut down 50% on the price of its anti- hypertensive drugs so as to make them affordable to the good people of Abuja in particular and Nigerians in general.

 

He also announced that to ensure availability of its anti-hypertensive drugs and other family medicines, Neimeth is engaging in the free screening for hypertension and giving medications free for 2 months usage.

 

By: FRANKA OSAKWE

National Mirror