Healthcare: Why Nigeria should boost local drug manufacturing –Pharmacists

*The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy tasks the country’s pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and medical professionals in research and development to apply Big Data, Artificial Intelligence,  and machine learning for fresh research towards making new drug discovery more productive and less expensive

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In regard to the country’s abundant hydrocarbon resources, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) has advocated   the commitment to producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for drug manufacturing to end importation.

ConsumerConnect learnt the NAPharm noted this measure is pertinent, rather than relying endlessly on importing the same raw materials, especially, as it relates to local manufacturing of medicines.

A patent medicine store in Nigeria 

Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, President of NAPharm, stated this Thursday, at the Academy’s investiture of Fellows, where about 20 pharmacists were inducted.

Adelusi-Adeluyi said there’s the need for pharmacists to enlighten the Nigerian political leadership, including presidential aspirants, on importance of the petrochemical industry to the West African country.

The President of NAPharm also stressed the importance of having API produced in the country, and the need to interrogate such public office seekers on their plans for utilising the country’s rich oil and gas deposits.

He further stated the need for pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and medical professionals in the field of research and development to tap into the world of big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to make pharmaceutical research, new drug discovery less expensive and more productive.

With AI, it is possible to test several hundreds of different chemical molecules, to create better, safer and more affordable medicines within a much shorter time frame.

Adelusi-Adeluyi urged the  government to create an enabling environment that makes meaningful research possible.

Policy direction must be such that deliberately enables AI to take root and grow in Nigeria, he said.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Advancing Pharmacy for Economic Prosperity in Nigeria’, Cyril Osifoh, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), commended the Academy.

Osifoh noted that pharmacists are becoming more active and relevant, especially, in the political era.

The PSN Chief disclosed the two pending bills at the National Assembly (NASS) have passed first reading, as he expressed optimism that the bills will pass second reading in few days.

NAFDAC reforms

Osifoh, on the reforms in the health sector, however, said that he kicked against the move for National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to become a revenue-generating entity in the economy.

He contended if prices of drugs and medicines are affordable, the government must act quickly.