Why Nigerians need to patronise locally-made medicines

Prices of imported medicines have increased significantly in recent times, making it more difficult for patients to afford essential medicines.
The major reason for the hike in prices of medicines, particularly imported ones, is depreciation of naira against major currencies.
Nigeria is currently facing dollar scarcity, which has jacked up costs and prices in the country, pushing inflation close to 18 percent.
However, the situation has favoured local drug makers more than importers. This is because importers need dollars to import finished medicines, but local manufacturers only need the green back to import inputs and packaging materials.
A recent independent study shows that high quality made-in-Nigeria medicines are still more affordable than imported brands.
A market survey reveals that an imported anti-diabetic drug called Doanil sells for N3,000, while its local substitute Glibenclamide goes for N900. Similarly, an imported Septrin, which helps to deal with respiratory tract infection, sells for N6,000, but its local alternative Primprex can be bought at N2,500 in the country. Also an imported anti-malarial medicine Co-Artem is sold for N1,600, while its local counterpart Arthemed sells for N500. Furthermore, an antiprotozoal medicine Flagyl sells for N2,400 a packet, while its local substitute Loxagyl goes for N500.
Mike Ogorima, president, Nigerian Medical Association, said the citizens should not continue to live with the mentality of importing drugs, adding that there are drugs manufactured locally that clearly replace imported medicines.
“If you write any prescription for any patient, the next time the patient is visiting you it becomes worse with more symptoms because they can’t afford the cost of treatment,” said Ogorima.
“The purchasing power is no more there and patients cannot buy their medicament now,” he said.
Frank Udemba Jacobs, president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in a recent interview with BDSUNDAY, corroborated this view, saying that patronage of locally manufactured products would raise the capacity of the manufacturing sector, create thousands of jobs in the economy and reduce unbridled importation of sub-standard products into Africa’s most populous country.
Local manufacturers argue that the reason for the lower prices of made-in-Nigeria medicines is that they absorb some costs to ensure affordability by patients, while importers of pharmaceutical products simply pass on the costs of dollars and importation to the patients who are at high risk of discontinuing treatment when they are no longer able to afford drugs.
In terms of quality, locally-made drugs are currently competing with drugs in the global market. This informs why the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently provided Swiss Pharma, Chi Limited, Evans Medicals as well as May & Baker with international prequalification, which makes them qualified to supply drugs to global institutions.
In 2016 Fiscal Policy, the Federal Government placed a 20 percent Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) on four categories of medicines for which Nigerian manufacturers have more than enough capacity to satisfy local consumption.
This is not only aimed at ensuring sustainable access to high quality and affordable medicines but also meant to protect the local drug industry, increase employment for Nigerians and attract foreign investment.
Already, indications from industry experts suggest that based on the 2016 Fiscal Policy, there is a re-invigorated interest in the Nigerian pharma sector, as indicated by the number of foreign companies seeking to establish new factories, as well as buy into existing ones.
Findings also show that the 20 percent Import Adjustment Tax has no influence on the affordability of medicines for the average Nigerian.
Health policy experts have confirmed that the measures highlighted in the 2016 Fiscal Policy will prevent dumping from foreign countries as well as improve sustainable access to medicines, since local capacity will be increased.
Evidence also suggests that since most fake and counterfeit medicines in Nigeria are imported, another major outcome of the 2016 Fiscal Policy is to further limit our exposure to fake drugs as well as safeguard Nigerians’ access to high quality medicines. It has been long established that drug manufacturing plants in Nigeria are not only highly compliant with NAFDAC and PCN regulations, but also meet the highest international standards.
Experts want the government and Nigerians at all levels to patronise made-in-Nigeria medicines, which have been certified by NAFDAC and proven to match international quality standards.
Healthcare professionals have also advised the government to ensure that the Ministry of Health direct all government hospitals and agencies to show preference for medicines manufactured in Nigeria, which are more affordable, and are of high quality.
Policy analysts have indicated that based on the evidence, the Federal Ministry of Health should execute a Medicines Supply Programme that would further bring down the cost of medicines and ensure availability of essential medicines at affordable prices.
“There is a need to continue with the Fiscal Policy to save the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry and ensure that the country attains self-sufficiency in drug production within the shortest possible time,” said Okey Akpa, chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of MAN (PMG-MAN).

TIAMIYU ADIO