Local pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria are urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to expedite the approval process for their products. This call to action comes in the wake of several multinational pharmaceutical companies exiting Nigeria, which has created a significant gap in the market for essential medications. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has voiced that local manufacturers are fully capable of producing these necessary medicines; however, their ability to maintain a steady supply hinges on timely regulatory support from NAFDAC. The chairman of PMG-MAN, Oluwatosin Jolayemi, underscored that swift registration from NAFDAC is crucial for these local firms, particularly as they strive to replace the products previously sourced from leaving multinational corporations.
The reasons for the exit of these multinational companies, including GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, revolve around challenges such as high operational costs, rigorous regulatory environments, foreign exchange shortages, and overall difficulties in operating within the Nigerian market. The recent departures have had a tangible impact on the healthcare landscape, causing prices for certain essential medications, such as the antibiotic Augmentin and asthma medication Seretide, to rise significantly. Reports indicate that this exit has left a substantial void that local manufacturers are now being called upon to fill. Jolayemi further highlighted that NAFDAC’s decision to prioritize local manufacturers’ registration will be crucial in enabling these companies to take advantage of a temporary zero VAT policy on pharmaceutical inputs, which would ultimately aid their efforts to meet domestic healthcare needs.
Jolayemi expressed optimism about the ability of local pharmaceutical companies to produce high-demand medicine, particularly antibiotics, without compromising quality. The PMG-MAN chairman emphasized that local manufacturers are not seeking a reduction in regulatory requirements but rather guidance on how to facilitate and accelerate local production. He called for a collaborative approach, urging NAFDAC to invite local manufacturers to initiate a dialogue on how the country can reduce dependence on imported medications. He suggested that by enabling Nigerian pharmaceutical firms to create locally-produced alternatives to products that are now off patent, the population could access these medicines at more affordable prices.
Drawing parallels with other countries, Jolayemi referenced India’s emergence as a pharmaceutical powerhouse due to its supportive manufacturing standards and policies for local businesses. He criticized the current standards imposed on Nigerian manufacturers, arguing that they align more with long-established international norms that don’t consider the realities of a relatively young and evolving manufacturing sector. By aligning regulatory standards with the specific context of Nigeria, local companies could gain a foot in the market and be less reliant on imports, which currently dominate the pharmaceutical landscape.
Christina Obiazikwor, NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, has conveyed the agency’s commitment to supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturers. According to Obiazikwor, the Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, has made it a priority to foster growth within the local industry. She affirmed that Adeyeye is dedicated to expediting processes that would facilitate local manufacturing. In a strategic report conducted in 2021, Adeyeye set out specific goals to lower Nigeria’s dependence on imported pharmaceuticals, aiming to decrease that reliance from 70 percent to approximately 30 percent by 2025. The strategies outlined in this initiative also include a policy that mandates foreign pharmaceutical firms either to collaborate with Nigerian companies or set up local production facilities in order to retain their operating licenses.
In summary, the urgency to ramp up local pharmaceutical production is underscored by the withdrawal of multinational companies from Nigeria, which has led to increased medication costs and availability issues. Local manufacturers are prepared to step in, provided that regulatory barriers are lowered, enabling faster product approvals. NAFDAC is reportedly willing to prioritize local firms to stimulate domestic production and manufactural capacity. This alignment between local stakeholders and regulatory agencies could facilitate a shift from a dependency on imports to a more self-sufficient healthcare system, ultimately enhancing accessibility to essential medicines for the Nigerian populace. Through strategic partnerships, policy adjustments, and favorable regulatory environments, there is significant potential for the local pharmaceutical industry to thrive and meet national healthcare demands.
