Health Minister Urges Urgent Action to Align Pharmaceuticals with Government Goals

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has stressed the urgent need for a swift alignment of the pharmaceutical sector with government initiatives.

Salako said at a meeting with Pharma and Healthcare Stakeholders organised by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) that it was important that the nation focuses on addressing the challenges related to policies and interventions within the pharmaceuticals and related sectors.

He urged action to enhance collaboration and improve the effectiveness of health policies in the country.

During the high level conference held in Lagos, yesterday, Salako assured manufacturers of the federal government’s recognition of their critical roles in touching the lives of millions through the medicines and therapies produced.

He also highlighted the government’s strategies to harness the emergent industrial base in driving economic growth, advancing research and development, and creating high-value jobs.

The Minister of State highlighted significant reforms in the Pharma Space initiated by Tinubu’s administration, including the Presidential Initiative on Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and the Executive Order pertaining to certain pharma sector inputs, as a means of revitalising Nigeria’s Health Sector.

Salako pledged the government’s commitment to foster a more inclusive approach that brings all stakeholders to the table, government agencies, regulatory bodies, industry players, research institutions, healthcare providers, and the public.

He further pledged the commitment of President Tinubu’s administration to supporting the growth of the pharmaceutical sector by creating a more enabling environment for the industry.

The Minister of State assured manufacturers and stakeholders of the government’s continued prioritisation in a bid to ensure improved local capacity in medicine production in a bid to drastically reduce the reliance on importation of pharmaceutical products.

He commended Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe and the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Research and Development Institute for the innovative adoption of an all-of-government approach to catalyse industry and all critical stakeholders in the expedited achievement of Nigeria’s medicine’s security.

Notably, the leadership of customs, finance, industry and other critical government organs in attendance pledged alignment in fast tracking policies to catalyze the emergence of a world-class pharma sector.

The conference themed ‘Building a World-Class Pharma Sector: Activating Government Initiatives to Address Challenges, Catalyze Growth and Maximise IMPACT’ attracted close to 100 Pharma and Health Sector senior stakeholders.

The stakeholders gathered to discuss strategies in harnessing the immense potential of the pharmaceutical industry in shaping the future of healthcare, in Nigeria, continentally and across the globe.

Representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, CK Niagwan, pledged the commitment of the Service to expediting emergent reforms for Medicines Security as well as Economic Growth and National wellbeing.

Other speakers at the conference include Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; Mr. Oluwatosin Jolayemi, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, PMG-MAN and Dr. Margaret Obono, the Chairman of the West African Post-Graduate College of Pharmacy.

Others include Dr. Okey Akpa, the President of the Federation of Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (FENPIA); and Dr. Uzoma Ezeoke, Executive Director Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries.