Nigeria's heavy reliance on imported ingredients for medicine production could put the country's medicine supply at risk, especially during global supply issues.
This concern was raised by stakeholders at a meeting titled "Accelerating the shift to domestic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) production for priority essential medicines in Nigeria.” The event took place in Abuja on Friday, organized by Nigeria Health Watch and the World Bank Group.
Olumide Okunola from the World Bank Group spoke at the meeting. He said Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers depend too much on imported APIs. This leaves the country exposed to problems in international supply chains.
APIs are the active substances in medicines that provide their intended effects. While Nigeria has companies that make finished medicines, many still need imported APIs and other materials to produce them.
Mr. Okunola explained that this reliance makes local manufacturers vulnerable to international supply chain issues, trade restrictions, and price changes. These factors could impact the availability and cost of essential medicines.
He used the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of how global supply chain issues can harm countries that rely heavily on imported medicines and pharmaceutical materials.
Mr. Okunola mentioned that while Nigeria does not need to produce every pharmaceutical ingredient locally, the country should focus on essential APIs that can realistically be made here to ensure a minimum level of local supply.
He pointed out several challenges to local pharmaceutical production. These include poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity, limited access to finance, and regulatory hurdles.
He said Nigeria could use its existing industrial and petrochemical capabilities to produce selected pharmaceutical ingredients locally.
He urged policymakers to connect health and industrial policies. They should focus on APIs used in essential medicines and create a friendly environment for private investment in local manufacturing.
Chris Isokpunwu, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, also spoke. He said Nigeria's reliance on external sources for important pharmaceutical inputs weakens its ability to ensure long-term health security.
"Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable health security while remaining heavily dependent on external sources for critical pharmaceutical inputs," he said.
Mr. Isokpunwu argued that making pharmaceutical ingredients locally should be seen as not just a health priority but also as an economic opportunity.
He believes that local production can make medicine supply chains stronger, reduce the impact of international disruptions, and create skilled jobs while keeping more economic value within Nigeria.
He warned that local production must not sacrifice quality, efficiency, or affordability. "We must, however, be careful not to pursue local production at any cost," he added.
He emphasized the need to produce efficiently, meet international quality standards, and compete on price and reliability. He also called for a clear plan identifying priority APIs, investment needs, infrastructure requirements, incentives, regulatory measures, and responsible institutions.
Mr. Isokpunwu mentioned that the African Continental Free Trade Area could offer Nigerian manufacturers chances to grow in regional markets and contribute to pharmaceutical value chains across Africa.
Abdu Mukhtar, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), also spoke at the meeting. He said the initiative is collaborating with local pharmaceutical manufacturers to identify and prioritize APIs based on Nigeria’s health needs.
Mr. Mukhtar, represented by Zara Abba-Aji, mentioned that the initiative is also working with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority on excipient manufacturing. They are exploring ways to enhance access to finance and technical skills for local production.
He noted that PVAC is partnering with a local manufacturer to access financing and technical support from the European Investment Bank. This help aims to boost domestic manufacturing capacity.
He also highlighted the initiative’s pooled procurement platform, MediPool, designed to increase demand for locally made medicines.
Mr. Mukhtar stressed that efforts to improve local production must address affordability, access to finance, workforce development, and demand for locally produced medicines.
Earlier, Vivianne Ihekweazu, managing director of Nigeria Health Watch, spoke about the importance of having affordable and quality medicines for better healthcare and a stronger health system.
Mrs. Ihekweazu pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic showed the risks of depending too much on foreign supply chains for essential medicines and health products.
She also expressed worry about the slow progress in implementing the federal government’s executive order aimed at boosting local production of healthcare products.
The meeting aimed to bring together government, manufacturers, investors, and development partners to identify the policy and investment barriers that stop Nigeria from building a strong local pharmaceutical ingredients industry.
These concerns arise as the federal government pushes to lessen Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines and enhance domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.
In September, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the federal government aims for at least 70 percent local production of essential healthcare products by 2030.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, mentioned that about 87 local manufacturers are benefiting from incentives under a presidential executive order that offers tariff relief on pharmaceutical machinery, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and excipients.
The government also stated it has secured around $2 billion in financing commitments to support local healthcare manufacturing. About 50 Nigerian health companies are in talks for funding.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇