Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday called on the  National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development to expand the pharmaceutical sector  to  ensure  the development of local content. Osinbajo spoke at the NIPRD Health Engagement Education Access Discourse in Abuja.

 

In his address, which was read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Abdullaziz Abdullahi, Osinbajo said, “In view of  the  steps taken by  the Muhammadu Buhari administration towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage, the expansion of the sector will ensure national economic growth, prosperity and address new challenges in the health sector.

 

“The discourse is timely and the institute is assured of Federal Government’s support in all its strides towards achieving its mission and mandate.”

 

The Director General  of the NIPRD, Dr Obi Adigwe, said  the programme was a direct response to the institute’s mandate to collect, collate and analyse data as well as ensuring  its comprehensive and timely dissemination.

 

According to him, the programme will  have a positive impact on socio-economic variables and job creation. He said, “The approach will ensure a robust and comprehensive engagement with seminal and topical issues in a manner that is contextual enough to expeditiously impact on the health of Nigerians.

 

“The approach will make a significant impact on relevant socio-economic variables, while prioritising job creation, knowledge transfer and revenue generation.”