Pharmacists urge FG to support local drug companies

A pharmacist, Mr. Moses Oluwalade, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the pharmaceutical sector.

Oluwalade, who spoke at the inauguration of the Miraflash Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited, Magboro, Ogun State, warned that if the government failed to the assist local pharmaceutical companies, they would shut down.

According to him, the high cost of sourcing raw materials, loans as well as the epileptic power supply has increased the cost of production in the country.

Oluwalade also noted that unfavourable polices and lack of support from government might force indigenous companies to either compromise the quality of their products or resort to importing cheaper drugs into the country.

He said, “The present government must quickly declare a state of emergency in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. More than 80 per cent of the drugs sold are imported from Asian countries. We are creating a booming pharmaceutical sector for Asia and China when our own continues to suffer.

“Many small-scale businesses have shut down due to the hostile environment. There is no water and electricity, just as we construct our own roads to transport our products from the factory to consumers.

“We want the government to tackle the issue of the current interest rate of commercial banks as no manufacturer can survive with an interest rate that is above 10 per cent. The authorities should revisit the law by making funds available, accessible and affordable to manufacturers.”

Oluwalade, who is the Managing Director of the new firm, urged pharmaceutical companies not to compromise the quality of their products.

He also advised pharmacists to make proper use of new technologies, especially in checking the incidence of fake drugs.

He said, “We have adopted the MAS technology to help our consumers to know that they are buying genuine drugs. Whenever you buy our product, you will see a place to scratch and a number to send a text message to, which is free of charge, and then you will immediately receive an alert telling you that the drug is okay. Every pharmaceutical company producing antibiotics and other earmarked drugs have that responsibility.”

A consultant gastroenterologist at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo state, Prof. Ayo Ijire, also urged pharmaceutical companies not to compromise on their quality.

He canvassed the need to make the products accessible and affordable.

He said, “Any company that wants to manufacture drugs in Nigeria must make them affordable, available and of the top quality.”