The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN) on Monday said four Nigerian drug manufacturers had met the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s requirements for good manufacturing practice.

Mr. Okey Akpa, the Chairman of the association, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of a three-day Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo 2015 in Lagos.

Theme of the exhibition is: ‘The Nigerian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry and International Competitiveness.’

Akpa listed the manufacturers as Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, CHI Pharmaceutical Limited, Evans Medical Plc and May & Baker Nigeria Limited.

According to him, many pharmaceutical manufacturers have also complied with the requirements of International Standards Organisation.

“Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers have also developed manufactured and registered products for the UN Commission and life-Saving Commodities for Women’s and children’s Health,” Akpa said

He said that many international pharmaceutical companies were not interested in research and development investments for conditions such as sickle cell anaemia and malaria which were peculiar to African continent.

“Nigeria is currently the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing country in West Africa. It accounts for more than 65 per cent of the local manufacture of medicines relevant to the people and diseases of our nation and region. They are anti-malaria medicines, anti-retroviral medicines for HIV/AIDS, herbal medicines and medicines for sickle cell diseases and many others,” he stated.

Akpa said that many manufacturers in the country had also processed the Expression of Interest (EOI) with the WHO for pre-qualification of products.

“Manufacturers processing WHO prequalification have invested over 50 million dollars in the last five years,” he said.

Akpa urged the Federal Government to give the drug manufacturers some incentives such as tax holidays to support the extra investment for quality upgrades and new factories.

He also appealed to the government, pharmaceutical innovators, international suppliers and partners to sustain the gains made so far by the pharmaceutical industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 130 exhibitors and about 2,500 participants are featuring in the exhibition. (NAN)

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