Innovation Through Formularies and Biotech: A Roadmap for Nigeria’s Health Future

By Oladayo Nuel

Amid rising healthcare costs and deepening access disparities, Nigerian pharmacist and researcher, Dr. Cordia Ogbeta is advocating for a national strategy that combines drug formulary reform with biotechnology development. His recent research offers a blueprint for how Nigeria can use drug formularies and biotechnology innovation to build a more affordable, sustainable, and self-reliant health system.

Drug formularies, which are standardized lists of essential medicines, can help reduce costs, minimize irrational prescribing, and ensure equitable treatment nationwide. Dr. Ogbeta emphasizes that a successful formulary system must be built on transparency, local manufacturing incentives, and routine updates based on medical evidence. He also advocates incorporating validated traditional medicines, which remain relevant for many rural communities.

“Formularies are not just about listing drugs,” he says. “They’re about building confidence in our systems and ensuring that no Nigerian is denied care because of cost.”

Alongside drug access, Dr. Ogbeta highlights biotechnology as a transformational opportunity for Nigeria’s health sector. From vaccine production to precision diagnostics and personalized treatments, biotechnology can drastically reduce reliance on imported innovations. He calls for the establishment of regional biotech hubs, investment in research institutions, and regulatory reforms that balance innovation with patient safety.

“We need to stop waiting for solutions to come from outside,” he says. “Biotechnology allows us to solve our own problems, using our own people, data, and infrastructure.”

His policy roadmap includes tax incentives for local biotech startups, public-private partnerships to drive innovation, and the creation of dedicated science parks. He also stresses the need for robust bioethics frameworks, intellectual property protections, and sustainable financing mechanisms to encourage long-term investment.

Dr. Ogbeta’s integrated vision has drawn attention from academic and policy circles alike. His proposals align with Nigeria’s goals for Universal Health Coverage and the National Drug Policy. In addition to improving affordability, this two-pronged approach could also drive job creation, boost scientific competitiveness, and increase access to lifesaving treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and sickle cell anemia.

“We have the talent, the biodiversity, and the need,” Dr. Ogbeta concludes. “Now is the time for coordinated action to build the kind of healthcare system that truly serves Nigerians on our own terms and with our own innovations.”