PMG-MAN Seeks N300bn Industry Expansion, Intervention Fund

Chioma Umeha

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has announced that it would be holding its fifth edition of Pharma Expo 2019 on August 28 and 29, 2019, in Lagos with a view to engage Federal Government to achieve the industry ambitious goal of accessing ‘N300 billion Industry Expansion and Intervention fund.’

Making the announcement, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, Chairman, PMG-MAN, said the fund would be used for the industry upgrade and update technologically to become globally competitive, whilst ensuring medicine security and self-sufficiency.

Ayebae who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidson Healthcare Plc spoke at a press briefing on the forthcoming 2019 Nigerian Pharma Manufacturers Expo in Lagos.

He said the Expo would attract approximately 200 international companies from six countries and nearly 10,000 pharma companies.

The PMG-MAN boss said the theme of this year’s exhibition is “Strategic Collaboration for Medicine Security, Affordability and National Sufficiency.”

He added the theme was carefully chosen to address the challenges of access to medicine.

The PMG-MAN Chairman explained that with strategic collaborations with local and international partners, they could reverse the trend of 70%:30% ratio of medicine importation against local manufacturing.

He further said that the theme reflects on the strategy to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3,8&9.

“Africa is the last frontier for pharma manufacturing investment, with the population boom, increased disease burden, we should answer the clarion call to make Africa and, of course, Nigeria’s pharma manufacturing hub to cater for the health of our people and reverse the trend of 70%:30% that contributes in making Nigeria a Pharma Manufacturing dump,” he said.

For Registration process, he advised that one can visit the Nigeria Pharm Expo website

write a mail to the PMG-MAN or visit the Secretariat for more details from the desk officer.

Frank Muonemeh, the Executive Secretary, PMG-MAN, highlighted the objectives of the pharma expo 2019 to include creating a platform for pharma stakeholders’ collaboration and engagement that would enable the upgrade and update of pharma manufacturing technologies in West and Central Africa.

Muonemeh said they are also to encourage further development of local manufacturing capacity and production of high quality, safe and affordable medicines.

On the focal points and highlights, he said include, special buyers-seller sessions that would bring together over 500 pharma and allied products manufacturing companies in close business discussions to generate an active business relationship.

Others, he said, are technical symposia which would highlight discussions on most recent cutting-edge technologies and practices; understanding the Nigerian and other African countries regulatory environment where key industry regulators participate.

The rest are; PMG-MAN guided visits to factories – exhibitors wishing to visit factories or organisations for business networking would receive a guide from PMG-MAN.

He explained that the focus industry are; pharma manufacturing industry, allied industries (biotech, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, beverages, food and distillers, packaging machineries, API- lab reagents and equipment and utility products and services).

The Executive Secretarylisted the benefits of participation in the event which is an international one especially for West Africa and Central African Countries saying, participants will discover new and modern trends in pharma manufacturing and packaging innovation.

He also said that it will be an opportunity to meet turnkey consultants, providers of factory GMP upgrades and AHU installation.

Others are opportunity to meet packaging material suppliers and solution providers.

Also, participants would acquire insights into latest industry trends in quality control and assurance.

The Executive Secretary asked those interested to visit Nigeria Pharma Expo website or PMG-MAN secretariat for detailed information.

Collaborating earlier views, Prince Agboade Orimadegun, Managing Director, Orfema Pharmaceuticals Ltd., stressed that the Federal Government should support local pharmaceutical industry in three ways which he tagged – “The three Ps, which are Patronise us, Pay us and Protect us.”

Noting that the government is the main buyer in any economy, Orimadegun said that many of the products imported into the country can be produced locally.

Citing antimalarials as an instance, he said; “We have said this severally on different forum. When we can produce antimalarial, why do we have to give it to foreign country’s to produce for us?

He frowned at influx of anti-malaria drugs through global donors under the auspices of reduced prices. He said; “Why should we take gifts that can kill us, somebody will say, the Federal Government brought global agencies to bring in antimalarials in Nigeria at reduced price. We know how much they buy it there and we know how much they sell it to us.

“We don’t need that; we should not be giving jobs to foreigners, while we are closing shops for the same business in Nigeria. Give us the support,” Orimadegun said.

The PMG-MAN is an arm of the Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN). It is an umbrella body of more than 150 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies.