The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas has promised to improve domestic research to support local production of medicines and vaccines in the country to enhance quality of health services for all Nigerians.
Dr. Salma Anas stated this at a virtual meeting organized by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), with support from the European Union and the Bulgarian Government with the theme “Expediting Local Vaccines Manufacturing in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects.
According to the Special Adviser, the Federal government plans to work with the stakeholders, encourage and fund local research for new drugs, vaccines and disease epidemiology, determining best approaches to disease management within Nigerian local context.
She noted that the Federal Government was interested in the outcome of the project, to ensure that the desired results of sustainable Vaccine Research and Development, including local production in Nigeria are achieved.
She said the President will ensure that the National Plan and Road Map for Vaccine Research and Development and local production in Nigeria were giving the needed political will for successful implementation.
The Director General of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe, said there were huge opportunities for local vaccines manufacturing in the country, noting that the development of a sustainable ecosystem in terms of research, business and policy making will support the success of vibrant local manufacturing entities in Nigeria and across Africa.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuella Isopi, represented by Professor Leila Ben Amor, said the EU is committed to the initiative of creating an enabling environment for local pharmaceuticals’ manufacturing companies in Nigeria.
RN
