NAPHARM urges FG to prioritise drug availability

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) has called on the Federal Government to treat the availability of essential medicines as a security matter.

The academy’s vice president, Ifeanyi Atueyi, made this appeal during a press briefing in Lagos ahead of the academy’s 10th anniversary and investiture of new fellows on September 19, 2024.

Atueyi expressed concern over the scarcity and high cost of essential drugs in the country.

He said the availability of medicines is crucial for the well-being of citizens and should be prioritised by the government.

“Medicines are not available as they used to be and the few available ones are not affordable. It has always been the position of the Academy that the medicines availability should be treated as a security matter in the country.

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“When people are sick, they need medicines for restoration to the normal state of affairs. Government must, as deliberate and direct policy, ensure the growth and development of the pharmaceutical industry and sustain them with patronage.

“We are not unaware of the current moves by the government: waiver of custom duty through an executive order, continuous engagement with the pharmaceutical industry, etc. We commend and encourage government to do these things on a sustainable way to truly grow the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria.”

The academy said it will honour the governor of Borno Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum as honorary fellow of the academy on that day.

“He will be the fourth recipient of this prestigious award.  The previous awardees are General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR (rtd), (2015) General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON (rtd) ( 2018) and Aare Afe Babalola, CON, OFR,SAN ( 2022),” Atueyi added.

“The Academy has conceived a giant project, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy Innovation Centre (NAPIC). This centre is to address the critical need for advanced research, development, and innovation in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.

“Despite the country’s rich biodiversity and potential for pharmaceutical advancement, the industry has been hindered by inadequate research infrastructure, limited funding, and insufficient collaboration for scientific discovery, pharmaceutical innovation, and developing homegrown solutions to our health challenges.

“Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, our Special Guest of Honour, has kindly agreed to unveil this project during the investiture ceremony next Thursday.”