From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The scarcity of essential drugs in Nigeria produced by GlaxoSmithKline International (GSK) has been reportedly triggered by a strategic but forced takeover of GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc.
The drug supply shortage and its implication on the average Nigerian patient are currently generating anxiety in the country, with local drug distributors, shareholders and stakeholders calling on the Nigerian and UK Governments to protect Nigerian Patients and Nigerian Shareholders of GSK.
The National Movement for the Actualisation of Good Governance (NAMAGG), a Premium Group of Nigerian Professionals, made up of Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Journalists, Pharmacists, et Al, has also thrown its weight behind Nigerian Shareholders.
The National President of the Movement, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., in a statement in Benin yesterday to react to the issue, said “We have followed with concern the attempt of GSK International working with Nigerian Collaborators to forcefully devalue the shares of GSK Nigeria by manipulating the supply of critical medicines and vaccines to GSK Consumer Nigeria Ltd.
“We have monitored the actions of GSK across Africa and are convinced that this recent supply constriction by a related party is aimed at devaluing the shares of the company with a plan to shut it down and turn Nigeria into an import hub for its drugs. It is really disgraceful for a global company that prides itself as a leading pharmaceutical company to disregard Africans and our desire to become medicines and vaccines sufficient.
“Instead, they want us to remain dependent on our colonial masters for critical medicines supply. This is very personal for me, as my relatives and family friends are asthmatic and they are currently unable to get asthma medication – Ventolin for themselves.
“If this is not racism, then tell me what else can be used to explain this level of disregard for Nigerians and Africans? I can tell you for free that young girls who have taken the cervarix vaccine from GSK are unsure when their second dose will be available. How can a foreign company treat Nigerians like this? I really hope the Federal government can call them to order as no Nigerian should suffer for GSK international and their Nigerian management team’s love profit at the expense of Nigerians.
“In my view, this is blood money and like blood diamonds, the Nigerian and the UK governments should call GSK international and their management in Nigeria to order immediately. We are more concerned about the fate of Nigerian Patients, who currently are unable to afford lifesaving medicines and vaccines produced by GSK”, the statement said.