The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has raised the alarm over what it called unavailability of medicine and vaccines, saying the development poses huge security risk to the Nigerian populace.
To address the challenge, the PSN called on government to prioritize local production of drugs to ensure availability of medicines at all times.
This was part of the resolution of the 90th conference of the PSN held in Umuahia, Abia State last week. Daily Trust was the official newspaper at the conference attended by over 5,000 pharmacists across the country and the Diaspora.
In a communiqué signed by the President, Ahmed Yakasai and Secretary, Gbolagade Iyiola, the Conference called for concerted efforts by all relevant stakeholders for the local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) including engaging Dangote Group on requirements of the pharmaceutical industry to ensure those considerations are reckoned within the blueprint for Dangote’s petrochemical plant.
“Conference identified a critical need exists for investors and stakeholders to meet to fine-tune strategies going forward to enable stable outcomes,” the communiqué said.
Also it was resolved that the pharmaceutical manufacturers should form collaboration with relevant local and international bodies to ensure the progress of the industry.
The conference also lamented the challenge of funding critical for local production and distribution of drugs and called on pharmaceutical manufacturers to avail themselves of funding opportunities, including Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Intervention funds, Bank of Industry (BOI) Intervention funds and Pharmaceutical Expansion Intervention funds.
