By: Nwanma Ogidi
Health journalists under the auspices of the Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) has held its 13th Annual Symposium
The theme of the symposium, “Dwindling Local Drug Production and High Cost of Essential Medicines: Rethinking Strategies for Growth” was delivered by the keynote speaker, Oluwatosin Jolayemi, President, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), represented by Frank Muonemeh , the executive secretary PMG–MAN.
There were two sub-themes for the event.
“We have numerous government policies aimed at attaining medicine security and self-sufficiency but implementation remains a challenge,” said Oluwatosin Jolayemi, President, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN).
The PMG-MAN boss disclosed this at Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) 13th Annual Symposium/Excellence Award in Lagos recently emphasising that in order to achieve medicine security by creating an enabling environment driven by the right policies the government must take the lead.
Explaining that developing the right policies is only 10% of the work , the president who was ably represented by Frank Muonemeh , executive secretary of PMG – MAN while delivering a keynote address at the symposium observed that faithfully following through with these policies require 90% political will including well coordinated approach to political implementation.
Speaking on the theme; “Dwindling Local Drug Production and High Cost of Essential Medicines: Rethinking Strategies for Growth”, he advocated for Nigeria’s attainment of medicine security status , “the concept of medicine security developed by PMG- MAN , asserts that Nigerians must have control over how their medicines are produced , from active pharmaceutical ingredients to excipients, to finished pharmaceutical formulations.”
“Medical security emphasises the importance of ownership and leadership in achieving sustainability in access to medicine . it is built on five components availability ,accessibility ,affordability ,quality and safety”.
PMG-MAN president, highlighted other challenges faced by local drug manufacturers as self-inflicted taxation, infrastructural deficits , debts owed , access to foreign exchange, lack of patronage , policy inconsistency , access to single digit soft loans etc
Envisioning Nigeria currency situation in 2050 with a population of 440 million probably facing another pandemic, he therefore called on government and the private sector to collaborate and express strong political will and understanding that medical security is an integral part of the national security architecture.
However, reacting to the part of theme: “Dwindling Local Drug Production”, he argued that in reality, the situation is quite the opposite when examined empirically, “during pre-covid-19 we had a 70% to 30% ratio of imported to locally produce drugs but today post covid-19 this ratio has improved to 55% to 45%”.
Further, he noted that government has prioritized self-reliance and the local production and donor agencies that previously shunned locally manufactured medicine for their intervention programs have started to rethink their stance.
” More locally manufacturers are emerging , scaling up their facilities , building new ones and introducing new molecules using innovative technologies. According to NAFDAC’s data base wee now have approximately 165 local manufacturers with our members heading towards 135 companies “.
The Sub-Themes for the event are:
‘Funding as a Catalyst for a Resilient Pharmaceutical Sector’ delivered by Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu, National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), and ‘HPV Vaccination in Nigeria: Challenges, prospects, and Way Forward’, presented by Dr. Abimbola Bowale, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Ably represented by Dr Adetola Akinpelu, Immunisation Programmes Coordinator, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board (PHCB).
Earlier in her speech, HEWAN President, Chioma Obinna explained that the theme became essential as a result of the soaring costs of drugs and essential medicines in the country, posing difficulties for patients with chronic illnesses and many vulnerable Nigerians to afford their medications and access quality healthcare services.
Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu, National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), delivered the first sub-theme, ‘Funding as a Catalyst for a Resilient Pharmaceutical Sector.’
The second sub-theme, ‘HPV Vaccination in Nigeria: Challenges, prospects, and Way Forward’, was presented by Dr. Abimbola Bowale, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, ably represented by Dr Adetola Akinpelu, Immunisation Programmes Coordinator, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board (PHCB).
Fidelis Ayebae of Fidson Healthcare PLC and two others were bestowed Excellence Award on Pharm. Ayebae was recognised for his pioneering leadership in the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry and his commitment to innovation in domestic drug manufacturing.
Apart from Pharm. Fidelis Ayebae of Fidson Healthcare PLC, HEWAN recognised Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and Dr. Ignorgbor Jude Chukwumeke, an academic and researcher in public health and environmental microbiology for outstanding performance in their areas of speciality.
Professor Salako was recognised for his transformative leadership in medical research development at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and for fostering a spirit of innovation among Nigerian scientists.
Chukwuemeke was recognised for his remarkable contributions to national development as an academic and researcher in public health and Environmental Microbiology.
Meanwhile, Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Ltd. (AFN), manufacturers of AJI-NO-MO-TO, DeliDawa, and MaDish seasonings, however did a product presentation , renewed its commitment to quality products.
Also , Pocari Sweat an ION Supply Health Drink, a high-quality product of Otsuka Nigeria Nutraceuticals Company (ONNC), a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company Japan , with a composition similar to the body fluid was presented at the occasion
Similarly, the global nutrition, food and wellbeing giant, Nestle Nigeria celebrated for tackling various aspects of nutrition challenge, also restated reasons their products are fortified to fight micronutrients indeficiencies.