Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector have called upon President Bola Tinubu to extend the State of Emergency declared on food security to include indigenous medicine. This plea was made during a three-day pharmaceutical training event titled “Nigerian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Quality Improvement and Capacity Building (part 2)” held in Lagos.
The stakeholders emphasized that indigenous medicine and agriculture are intertwined and cannot be separated. They argued that extending the State of Emergency to encompass indigenous medicine would greatly benefit the nation’s pharmaceutical industry.
Professor Martins Emeje, the guest speaker at the event, urged pharmacists to apply the knowledge and training they acquire abroad domestically. He stressed the significance of pre-qualification training and the development of indigenous drugs in fostering sector growth.
Emeje stated that a significant portion of Nigeria’s population lacks access to foreign drugs, with approximately 160 million people affected. Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), he noted that about 80% of individuals in developing countries rely on traditional and herbal medicine. He emphasized the need for government and the private sector’s support in the development of traditional medicine.
Highlighting the interconnectedness of indigenous medicine and agriculture, Emeje explained that indigenous medicine involves the use of local plants, animals, and soil, all of which are related to agriculture.
Professor Chimezie, the Executive Officer of Bloom Public Health, commended the government’s support for the training initiative and encouraged manufacturers to follow suit. He underscored the training’s purpose, which is to ensure that individuals are equipped to produce high-quality medicines, ultimately strengthening Nigeria’s position. He urged Nigeria to aspire to become the “India of Africa” in the pharmaceutical sector and stressed the importance of technical expertise and confidence in achieving this goal.
Chimezie expressed optimism that as the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria advances in quality manufacturing, it will explore local resources and expand its medicinal offerings. He applauded the government’s support for the project and called for continued assistance from both government and manufacturers in this endeavor.
