ISAAC ASABOR
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, Nigerians have faced an unprecedented surge in pharmaceutical prices.
The escalating costs of medication, including Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs, have left consumers frustrated and desperate.
Many are now turning to traditional herbs as the prices of essential medicines soar beyond their reach.
Consumers across the country are vocal about the impact of these price hikes.
Local resident Amina Adesola, a mother of three, lamented; “I used to buy Paracetamol for my children without thinking twice, but now it has become a luxury. We have resorted to using old herbal remedies because I cannot afford the prices anymore.”
This sentiment echoes across various demographics, as more people find themselves choosing herbal solutions over pharmaceuticals, even for routine ailments.
Experts in the pharmaceutical sector have also expressed grave concerns. Dr. Chukwuma Onyeama, a senior pharmacist, stated, “The rising prices of medicines have caused significant distress for many families. We are witnessing a dangerous trend where people might opt for unregulated herbal products instead of seeking evidence-based treatments.”
Dr. Onyeama cautioned that the health implications of this shift could be severe, as herbal remedies lack the rigorous testing standard medications undergo.
The Nigerian government has acknowledged the crisis and is attempting to address the issue through various strategies.
The Ministry of Health recently announced plans to engage with pharmaceutical companies to explore mechanisms for stabilising medication prices.
Discussions focus on reducing import tariffs on raw materials used in the production of drugs to alleviate some of the financial burdens passed onto consumers.
It would be recalled that early this year that the Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye assured Nigerians that the current high cost of medicines in the country will become a thing of the past as the Agency in partnership with pharmaceutical industry are working hard to bring down the cost of drugs.
Speaking in the same vein, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate also assured Nigerians that the various policy measures already put in place by the President Bola Tinubu administration would soon begin to reflect positively in the cost of essential medical commodities.
The duo made the assertions at a webinar lecture organised by The Cable Newspaper to celebrate its tenth anniversary with the theme: ‘’Addressing Costs of Medicines’’.
Prof. Adeyeye identified rejuvenation of the local pharmaceutical industry as a panacea for high cost of medicines in the country. She said locally manufactured medicinal products would be more accessible and affordable compared to the imported drugs.
According to her, the devaluation of the Naira accounted largely for high cost of production locally as the high exchange rate made procurement of raw materials and equipment imported for production extremely high, adding that due to difficulty associated with procurement of dollar, cost of the imported drugs has also hit the roof.
About the same time, she said two multinationals left which caused the cost of drugs they produce to go up.
To encourage local pharmaceutical industry to grow, Prof Adeyeye reiterated that NAFDAC under her leadership started the “5 plus 5” regulatory scheme where a company that has been importing drugs that the local pharmaceutical industry is able to produce will get a last five-year renewal. During the five-year renewal period, the importer must migrate to local manufacturing or partner with local manufacturer.
This is an outcome of a study that was done in 2019 that revealed that the top 5 drugs that are imported are also the top 5 drugs that are manufactured in Nigeria.
From that initiative, she disclosed that more than 30 per cent of new companies in Nigeria are results of “5 plus 5” because many importers started building their own companies or partnering with local manufacturers through contract manufacturing. That is access. That is the way to make drug available, accessible’’, she said.
The NAFDAC boss explained that the Agency also did another policy change called NAFDAC Ceiling 34 wherein drugs under those ceiling cannot be imported. According to her, the ceiling was increased from nine to 34 drugs when she assumed office so that those 34 drugs that are manufactured locally with good installed capacity would not be allowed into the country.
‘’Our manufacturers import everything except water’’, she said, adding that the raw materials , Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and the non-active called Excipients are all imported.
‘’I told the industry operators that we need to start making some APIs locally and that has resulted in EMZOR almost completing their facilities in Shagamu. They are going to be making four anti-malaria APIs, sulfadoxime, Pyrimethamine, Artemether and Lumefantrine.
The Fidson consortium is also planning manufacturing some APIs. The DG said the initiative was aimed at reducing the cost of drugs eventually.
Additionally, the government is promoting increased investment in local pharmaceutical production, aiming to lessen dependence on imported medications.
However, some experts argue that these measures may take time to yield tangible results. Dr. Onyeama cautioned, “While government efforts are important, immediate relief is necessary for those who need medications daily. We need a more proactive approach to ensure that life-saving drugs remain affordable and accessible.”
As the crisis continues, many Nigerians hope for swift government intervention and effective policies that will bring down the cost of medications. Until then, the reliance on traditional and herbal treatments may become the norm, raising concerns about the overall health implications for the population.
The path forward must prioritize both the affordability and accessibility of healthcare in Nigeria to protect the well-being of Nigerians.
In these trying times, a balance must be struck between modern medicine and traditional practices, ensuring that every Nigerian can afford the treatment they need.
It would also be recalled that an Executive Order aimed at enhancing the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria was on June 28, 2024 signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As gathered, the Executive Order focuses on several key areas that cut across local production, regulatory framework, public private partnership, quality assurance, job creation and access to medicines.
The foregoing is as the Executive Order emphasises the need to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce dependency on imported drugs and ensure the availability of essential medicines as well as seeking to streamline regulatory processes to facilitate faster approvals for pharmaceutical products, thereby encouraging innovation and investment in the sector.
Also, the Order promotes collaboration between the government and private sector stakeholders to improve infrastructure, research, and development in the pharmaceutical industry as well as strongly focusing on ensuring that locally produced pharmaceuticals meet international quality standards, which is crucial for both domestic consumption and export.
In a similar vein, by enhancing local production capabilities, the Executive Order aims to create jobs and stimulate economic growth within the pharmaceutical sector, even as the initiative is also geared towards improving access to affordable medicines for the Nigerian population, addressing public health challenges.
Overall, the Executive Order represents a strategic effort by the Nigerian government to revitalise the pharmaceutical industry, promote self-sufficiency, and improve healthcare outcomes.
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