Juhel’s all-round efficiency rises as products capture W/Africa

As a testament to increased efficiency on all fronts, products of Juhel Nigeria Limited have captured the West African market, prompting the drug-making firm to shift attention to other parts of the continent such as Eastern, Central, Southern and Northern Africa, Real Sector Watch can confirm.

“The company at present services the needs of the countries of the West African sub-region and is poised to reach out to more countries in Africa and beyond. The company maintains high quality standard in all its operations. With high production capacity, the policy thrust is to continue to provide cost-effective, affordable, local alternatives of life saving drugs to the teaming population,’’ says a statement from the firm.

Juhel Nigeria Limited, located at Emene, Enugu State, is a 100 percent indigenous drug maker whose product range includes antibiotics and anti-infectives, cardiovascular, anti-diabetics, anti-malarial, vitamins and minerals, anxiolytics, antihistamines, analgesics, antacids and anti-flatulent, and recently, bottled mineral water Ivy Table Water.

The company is the first tablet manufacturer in Anambra State, and was formed as an answer to calls for local provision of cost-effective generic products to fill the gap left by multinational companies operating in the country. Apart from Ghana, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, among others, where its products are sold, the company is investing into research and development (R&D) to capture South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and other countries round the continent. The firm also understands that doing so requires obtaining the World Health Organisation (WHO) certification, which is necessary for international competition, sources have revealed.

Efficiency has remained the thrust of the firm, given the level of production capacity that has enabled it churn out over 30 products through R&D. Real Sector Watch gathered that welfare of the staff has remained paramount for the company, a phenomenon evident in their commitment and dedication.

Ifeanyi Okoye, founder/CEO, believes that manufacturing is a fulfilling venture, stressing that some of the challenges in the industry include high interest rates by banks, recently imposed 5 percent penalty for importing polyethelenes, a drug-making input, as well as poor power supply.