Follow Us on Google
By Lukman Olabiyi
Nigeria pharmaceutical manufacturers, under the umbrella of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigerian (PMG-MAN) has attributed high cost of production, brain drain , debt , among others as factors undermining its capacity to complete with it counterpart in the developed world. The group revealed this at press conference to intimate the general on the forthcoming Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo, with theme:” Advancing the frontier of medicine security in Nigeria, expanding local pharma manufacturing in the era of AFCFTA”, slated for October 18-19, 2022 in Lagos.
Identifying some of the challenges being faced by the industry, the chairman of organising committee of the expo and managing director of M&B Nigeria PLC, Patrick Ajah, said the current high cost of diesel , was among many factors undermining capacity of many local manufacturers to push for larger market Beyound the shore of the country.
According to him, “energy play crucial factor in production, and majority of members don’t depend on government electricity to produce because it is not reliable, mostly, we generate our own energy by ourselves, even the water, we are using, doing all these alone are great burdens, it is something government should providing for us but since what the government is giving us are not reliable, we have to do the needful, the cost of diesel alone is something else yet we are slammed with multiple taxes by government at different levels that not doing the needful.”
He called on government to address issue of brain drain which is making them to loose many good hands to their foreign counterpart in the developed world.
Besides, the group also appealed to the Federal Government to pay the money owing its members by teaching hospitals.
He noted that the huge indebtedness of the government’s institutions especially, the tertiary health institutions is affecting capacity many of pharmaceutical companies.
He said many teaching hospitals were indebted to pharmaceutical companies to the tunes of several millions
Also collaborating Ajah, Frank Muonemeh , executive secretary PMG-MAN, said the government needed to do more to encourage local manufacturers, the companies to maintain its leadership in Africa.
Speaking on the forthcoming Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo, said the event offers many opportunities for local manufacturers to showcase, network and exchange idea with their foreign counterpart.
He disclosed that over 50 foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing companies had already registered to participate in the two -days events.
“The 6th Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo is a must attend for all the actors in the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem, as offers a rare opportunity for productive networking and B2B engagement amongst all actors, regulators, policy makers, professionals, ancillary companies, academia, students, development partners, bilateral organisations , researchers, non governmental organisations. If you are in the business of Pharmaceuticals, this highly rated show in West Africa is for you and your organisations”, he said.
