Follow Us on Google
By Doris Obinna
As the world marks World Malaria Day 2026, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has called for urgent and coordinated action to eliminate malaria in Nigeria, emphasising the need for strengthened local drug manufacturing, strategic investments in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and expanded access to life-saving treatments for vulnerable populations.
The company’s appeal comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s disproportionate malaria burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria accounts for approximately 27 per cent of global malaria cases and nearly one-third of malaria-related deaths worldwide. Children under five years old remain the most affected group, underscoring what stakeholders describe as both a public health emergency and a moral imperative.
Speaking on the theme “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” Executive Director, Emzor, Uzoma Ezeoke, stressed that achieving malaria elimination would require more than intermittent interventions. She noted that building resilient health systems anchored on local pharmaceutical production is essential to ensuring consistent access to high-quality and affordable medicines.
She said local manufacturing must now be seen as central to Nigeria’s national health security and economic stability, warning that continued dependence on imported medicines exposes the country to global supply chain disruptions that could undermine malaria control efforts. “A major component of Emzor’s advocacy is increased investment in domestic API production. APIs are the core components used in producing finished pharmaceutical drugs, and Nigeria currently relies heavily on imports for these materials.”
Industry experts say developing local API capacity would not only strengthen the pharmaceutical value chain but also position Nigeria as a regional hub for drug manufacturing, while creating jobs and improving regulatory oversight.
Chairman, Emzor Group, Emeka Okoli, described API development as the “next frontier” for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector. He stated that achieving sustainable malaria elimination requires building true pharmaceutical independence, adding that investment in API capability is both an industrial necessity and a public health priority.
Beyond manufacturing, the company highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve access to effective malaria treatments tailored to vulnerable groups. Among its products is a child-friendly dispersible formulation of artemether-lumefantrine designed for children aged three months to five years. The tablets it added dissolve easily in water or milk, making them easier for caregivers to administer and improving treatment adherence.
Other News
Emzor also pointed to its sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine product used in intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, a key intervention aimed at reducing malaria-related complications for both mothers and infants.
Ezeoke noted that innovation must go beyond laboratory development to address real-world challenges faced by patients and caregivers. She said the company’s approach focuses on ensuring that treatments are not only effective but also practical and accessible, particularly for populations most at risk.
The company further called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, policymakers, development partners, and private investors. It urged increased funding for pharmaceutical infrastructure and the implementation of policies that support innovation, capacity building, and local production.
Okoli emphasized that the global theme for this year’s malaria day reflects both an opportunity and a responsibility. He said Nigeria has the potential to lead Africa in building a self-reliant pharmaceutical sector capable of eliminating malaria, but only if decisive and collective action is taken.
Public health analysts say that while Nigeria has made progress in malaria control through preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets and seasonal chemoprevention, gaps in access to treatment and supply chain vulnerabilities continue to hinder efforts toward elimination.
While Emzor reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders across sectors to accelerate progress, protect vulnerable populations, and contribute to a malaria-free future for Nigeria and the African continent.
