The National Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP), a technical arm Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, says it is putting in place a process that will assist its members to commence local manufacturing of drugs.
In order to kick-start the process, it has produced a book entitled “A Guide to Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing” which spells out all the know-how for drug production.
The move, according to the body, is to assist the nation to reduce its continue dependence on imported drugs which experts put at about 90 percent of drugs being consumed locally.
Bala Maikudi, chairman of the Kano state chapter of the association, who gave this hint on Wednesday during an annual symposium held for its members in the commercial city of Kano, also revealed that land is being sought from the Kano State government where the proposed manufacturing plant is to be sited.
“What we are experiencing in this part of the world, Nigeria inclusive as regards provision of better healthcare for our teeming population, is rather unfortunate; a situation whereby more than 90 percent of drugs being consumed locally are imported call for concerted action.
“According to statistic in our possession the importation of drugs is costing our economy billions of Naira, as well as hundreds of jobs transfer to the benefiting countries, while our own economy remains in shamble.
“This unfortunate scenario also explains the reason why, even though with the numerous regulatory agencies and the millions of Naira spent on their activities, the fight against fake and substandard drugs remains unabated.
“With the numerous resources and manpower at our disposal, we believe time has come for us to venture into local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the launching of the book we commissioned today, is the beginning of this process of encouraging our members in locally production of drugs” he explained.
Maikudi appealed to Governor Rabi`u Musa Kwankwaso to expedite action on the request for land by the association to enable it fast track the drug production project.
Meanwhile, in his address at the occasion, Umar Faruk Jibril, Kano State commissioner for commerce and industry, disclosed that the State government is ready to partner with the association in actualising the project.
Jibril announced a donation of N250,000 as the State government’s contribution to the association for producing the book.
The highlight of the symposium was the presentation of awards to the best graduating students in pharmaceutics to some students of the some universities in the northern parts of the country.
Adeola Ajakaiye
