Impending Drugs Scarcity - Manufacturers Warns

 
The Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Mr. Okey Akpa, has warned Nigerians
to prepare for scarcity of medicines in the country.

As part of activities leading to the investiture of its 20th President, Mr. Ahmed Yakassai, in Lagos, the PMG-MAN chairman during a press briefing, gave the warning.

He said the lingering shortage of foreign exchange has prevented drug manufacturers from importing raw materials and chemicals needed to produce essential medicines in the country.

According to him, many drug manufacturers are unable to replenish their stock due to dollar insufficiency.

"Presently, there is a drought of raw materials to produce because we can’t access forex from the banks to import raw materials which can’t be sourced locally.

We have been using our previous stock since this development but we will soon run out. What this means is that essential medicines will be scarce and when they are available they will be unaffordable.

We know why the dollar is scare but government should identify genuine manufacturers and give them forex. After food security, what is most important is the availability of drugs."

Meanwhile, the PSN President, Yakasai said:

"Only 30-35 per cent of medicines sold in Nigeria are produced locally. We have agreed with the Federal Government to boost local drug production to 70 per cent but we need the N200bn intervention fund to achieve this target."

 

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