A former chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Anthony Oyawole, says production of basic pharmaceuticals in Nigeria has increased from 40 per cent to nearly 60 per cent.
Oyawole said this in a television interview this Thursday saying the country is gradually building its medicine security capacity because the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group is working assiduously with government to boost local drugs manufacturing
Oyawole explained that Nigerian pharmaceutical firms are now WHO-qualified and capable of manufacturing medicines not only for local use but also for international markets, including Europe and America.
He said production of essential drugs such as anti-malarials, multivitamins, analgesics, and other medicines for common ailments is now being driven locally.
He, however, acknowledged that some medicines still need to be imported saying government policies must ensure these are made available at affordable prices for Nigerians.