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By Damiete Braide
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives and the University of Abuja Cardiovascular Research Centre has trained local cardiovascular medicine manufacturers to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) international standards.
Other sponsors of the training include Quamed, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Foundation and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN).
The Lagos training marked a strategic collaboration between government and private-sector partners dedicated to raising pharmaceutical manufacturing standards across Nigeria.
Fatima Gawuna, PVAC’s Ecosystem Enablement Analyst, described the training as a timely and strategic: “By equipping local manufacturers with the knowledge and tools needed to meet international standards, we are not only improving treatment outcomes for patients with cardiovascular diseases but also building public trust in Nigerian-made medicines.
“This training reflects PVAC’s core mandate, to boost local manufacturing, reduce the nation’s reliance on imports and ensure supply of high-quality, affordable healthcare products.
“For a country that still imports over 70 per cent of its pharmaceutical products, boosting local manufacturing capacity is no longer optional. When we empower local manufacturers, we open the door to more affordable treatments, job creation, and the possibility of Nigeria becoming a major player in the African and global pharmaceutical markets.
The training was not only technical but also strategic, touching on quality control systems, regulatory compliance, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and the practical steps manufacturers must take to upgrade their operations to meet certification standards.”
Dr. Kufor Osi, Senior Technical Advisor for Hypertension Control at Resolve to Save Lives, said: “Globally, hypertension is the leading cause of mortality. In Nigeria, an estimated 30 million people, roughly one in every three adults, live with hypertension. Yet only 12 per cent of them have their blood pressure under control.
“This means that 88 per cent of hypertensive Nigerians are either undiagnosed, undertreated, or lack consistent access to quality care and medication.
“We’ve supported government to set up treatment programmes at primary healthcare centres across the country. But access to medications is still a huge challenge.
“Many of these medicines are expensive, and concerns remain around the quality of some of the products available in the market. That’s why this training is so important. We are working to ensure that cardiovascular drugs produced in Nigeria are not only available but of the highest quality.
“Once we improve local capacity and quality, we can reduce costs, enhance treatment coverage, and ultimately save lives.”
Osi also offered counsel to Nigerians battling hypertension:
“Hypertension is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it presents no symptoms. You may feel fine but still have dangerously high blood pressure.
“Nigerians should visit health facilities regularly to check their blood pressure. And if diagnosed, they should follow their doctor’s advice, take medications consistently, and adopt healthier lifestyles, such as reducing salt intake, exercising, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption.”
Mrs. Talatu Kassim, Directorate of Food and Drug Services, said: “Quality assurance is critical in achieving universal health coverage and positive health outcomes. We are excited about this kind of collaboration. It reinforces our belief that through shared knowledge and government support, Nigeria can produce and distribute safe, effective medicines at scale.”
Munir Elelu, Director and Team Lead, PSN Foundation, said: “Every player in the value chain has a role to ensure that our health system is equipped to meet the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
“The training’s focus on cardiovascular medicines is both strategic and necessary, given the increasing prevalence of these conditions. We are proud to be part of efforts that support improved treatment and healthier outcomes for Nigerians.”
