The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has said that the nation’s pharmaceutical industry is positioned to operate at global level.

 

It added that Nigeria is currently the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing country in the West African sub-region, accounting for more than 65 per cent of local manufacture of drugs that are relevant to the treatment of diseases affecting peoples of the region.

 

Such diseases include malaria, anti-retrovirals for HIV/AIDS, herbal medicines and drugs for sickle cell diseases, among others.

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Pharma Expo 2015 on Monday, chairman of PMG-MAN, Mr. Okey Akpa, said the fair war an opportunity for stakeholders in the health sector to exchange information, products, services and ideas towards achieving health-related goals and other developmental initiatives in Nigeria and West African sub-region.

 

Over 130 exhibitors are participating, with about 2,500 guests being expected.

 

Based on the theme, “The Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and international competitiveness,” Akpa said that in order to make impact at global level, many Nigerian drug makers had processed the Expression of Interest with the World Health Organisation for the pre-qualification of their products, with four Nigerian drug firms currently qualified by the WHO for Good Manufacturing Practice.

 

 

“Towards this end, Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers have invested over $50m in the last five years for the all important WHO prequalification,” Akpa said.

 

He also disclosed that the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers had also developed, manufactured and registered products for the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children’s Health.

 

“Such drugs include zinc sulphate/oral rehydration solutions for management of diarrhoea, Chlorhexidine gel for umbilical cord care and Amoxicillin dispersible tablets,” Akpa said.

 

He urged PMG-MAN to sustain its commitment to quality and the process of international certification schemes such as the ISO 9001-2008, the WHO prequalification of medicines, and USFDA standards, among others.

 

BY SOLAADE AYO-ADERELE 

THE PUNCH