The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria has said that the pharmaceutical industry could contribute substantially to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product if conducive atmosphere is created.

Speaking at a media event leading to the association’s 17th annual national conference, the Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Mr. John Adekoje, urged investors to partner with the industry by making funds available and also by developing personnel in the industry.

Adekoje noted that there were innumerable opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, and that NAIP wanted to create awareness about this, hence the theme of this year’s conference, “Tapping the opportunities in the pharma industry for wealth creation.”

Noting that more than 80 per cent of essential drug products are currently imported, the association stressed the need to encourage local drug manufacturers in order to enable patients to gain easy access to drugs; saying it would also lead to massive job creation in the country.

“We appreciate the need to develop new products, which will positively impact the economy and also facilitate easy access for those who need them. However, this cannot happen unless the government creates the right atmosphere by making power and other necessary infrastructure available at reasonable fee.

“While we are aware of the fact that Nigeria currently lacks the capacity to meet local pharmaceutical needs, we are also aware that the nation has all it takes in terms of brains and research potential; all we need is favourable disposition by all stakeholders in order to meet local demands and also export our products,” Adekoje said.

The association’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Adebayo Temenu, said towards this end, NAIP encouraged research by making funds available to the academic arm of the pharmaceutical industry.

“This will lead to more development and better personnel engagement,” Temenu said.

The association also encouraged the Federal Government to invest more in the industry the way it currently does in the oil sector and industrial technology.

NAIP advocated the continued strict monitoring processes of drug manufacturing and distribution, saying this would make for traceable movement of drugs from the manufacturers to the end users, instead of the haphazard distribution of pharmaceutical products which usually leaves loopholes that could be exploited by unscrupulous people.