Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Exodus Blamed On Non-Domestication, Government Vows Policy Overhaul

Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Exodus Blamed On Non-Domestication, Government Vows Policy Overhaul

In a bold revelation, the Federal Government attributes the departure of pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria to the failure to domesticate their products within the country….READ MORE RELATED STORY NAFDAC Sounds Alarm: Over 50% Of Imported Pharmaceutical Certificates Fake, Posing Grave Threat To Public Health

Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this pivotal information during a World Cancer Day symposium held in Abuja on Monday, February 5.

Addressing the concern of companies leaving Nigeria, Dr. Alausa emphasized the need to change the narrative, challenging the notion that these departures were solely due to the challenges of doing business in the country. He asserted, “Let’s face the fact, Nigeria is endowed with an abundance of manpower. If you go to any advanced democratic nation, the biggest chunk of any operating cost to run a business is personnel, and we have it in abundance in Nigeria at a very reasonable and cheap rate.”

The core issue, according to Dr. Alausa, lies in the non-domestication of pharmaceutical products. He explained, “These pharmaceutical companies left because we have pharmaceutical laws. There’s a NAFDAC policy of 5+5, after marketing drugs for five years, they are expected to domesticate their production. They didn’t domesticate their production, so they continued to market for decades.”

In response to the situation, the government is actively reviewing pharmaceutical laws to prevent a recurrence of such challenges. Dr. Alausa highlighted the opportunities for investment in the country, citing a population of 220 million as a substantial consumer base. He expressed optimism, stating, “Our country is going to become the destination of investors in the nearest future; the policies are being put together.”

While acknowledging the departure of some companies, Dr. Alausa assured the public that efforts were underway to encourage more companies to invest in the country. Additionally, the government is committed to domesticating and enhancing pharmaceutical companies to fill the existing gaps, signaling a positive shift in the nation’s pharmaceutical landscape.