- Say The Publication, Crucial Call For Nigeria To Build Its Capacity In Medicines Production
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| L-R: CEO, Katchey Laboratories, Lagos and Chief Launcher, Dr Kate Isa; Former, Governor of Kano State, Senator Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Chairman, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm (Mrs) Wosilat Giwa; DG, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; Author, Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai; and MD, SK Medicine, Mahesh Vaswani, during the book launch, named ” The Pharmaceutical Industry and Drug Production in Nigeria” authored by Ahmed Yakasai, held in Lagos on Thursday. |
Industry leaders in the health sector on Thursday in Lagos
applauded Pharm. Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, former President, Pharmaceutical
Society of Nigeria for unveiling a compelling book that addresses Nigeria’s
drug manufacturing crisis and urgent need for enhanced local production.
Among the distinguished attendees was Prince Julius Adewale
Adelusi-Adeluyi, the former Minister of Health, who honoured Yakasai’s
groundbreaking book, Pharmaceutical Industry, and Drug Manufacturing in
Nigeria.
Yakasai’s work garnered widespread recognition as the only
one of its kind for conducting thorough research on the urgent need for
enhanced local drug production in Nigeria.
This is in addition to exploring the intricate policy framework
governing the country’s pharmaceutical sector, addressing its challenges, and
outlining a strategic path forward.
Adelusi-Adeluyi commended him for approaching the
publication in a refreshing and direct way that gives information on what is
happening in the country’s Pharmaceutical space. The former Minister noted that
the book should be a wake-up call for Nigeria to return to
industrialisation.
Also, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Kano State’s former Governor
described Yakasai as an accomplished Pharmacist whose book captures most of the
problems facing the profession and appeals to government and policymakers to
consider implementing some of the book’s recommendations.
Shekarau believes that implementing the book’s recommendations will change the narratives about the country’s health sector and
put Nigeria on par with India, China, and Pakistan, countries that have
achieved success in drug manufacturing.
The book review attracted a diverse audience, including
members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) esteemed academics, and
senior executives from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration
and Control (NAFDAC). Others are representatives from the National Institute
for Policy and Strategic Studies, and His Excellency, Major General Sohail Ahmad
Khan (Rtd), the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, along with the
general public.
During the event, Professor Lere Baale, Chief Executive
Officer of Business School Netherlands International highlighted one of the
book’s central themes: the critical transition from reliance on imported
pharmaceuticals to local drug manufacturing.
The author passionately underscores the urgent need for
Nigeria to enhance its capacity for domestic drug production, according to
Baale, who is also President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm).
He said that Yakasai elaborated on the efforts made by the
government and private sector to encourage local production of drugs and reduce
reliance on imported pharmaceuticals, which often come at a higher cost and
with quality assurance issues.
Similarly, he said that the book delves into the policy
framework surrounding Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. This includes
government initiatives like the National Drug Policy and regulatory bodies such
as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In addition, Baale said that Yakasai’s book critically
examines how these policies and regulatory efforts have shaped the
pharmaceutical landscape, both positively and negatively.
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| L-r: President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba; Chairman of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Pharm. (Hajiya) Wosilat O. Giwa; Director General (NAFDAC) Prof Moji Adeyeye; former Minister of Education, Senator, Malam Ibrahim Shekaru; Chief launcher, CEO Katchey Company Limited Dr. Mrs Kata Isa; Chairman of the Occasion Former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Author of the Book, former President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, during the Book Launch ‘ the Pharmaceutical industry and drug Production in Nigeria,‘ held in Lagos on Thursday. |
The erudite Professor, who is currently President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, went further to state that Yakasai took readers through the phases of drug production in Nigeria. Baale said that he highlighted key milestones in establishing Indigenous pharmaceutical companies and the contribution of these companies to national healthcare, apart from making the book pragmatic, citing the case studies of India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
His speech partly reads, “One of the book’s core themes is
the shift from dependence on imported drugs to local manufacturing. The author
emphasised the need for Nigeria to build its capacity in drug production.
“Yakasai also elaborated on the efforts made by the government and private sector to encourage local production of drugs and reduce reliance on imported pharmaceuticals, which often come at a higher cost and with quality assurance issues.”
The reviewer also said that Yakasai argues that local
production is crucial for improving access to essential medicines, ensuring
drug security, boosting the economy, and creating employment opportunities.
This is just as he highlighted local manufacturers’ challenges, including high
production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and inconsistent government
support.
He further said, “Yakasai also gives special attention to
the regulatory challenges in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, particularly
the role of NAFDAC and other agencies in maintaining quality control and
preventing the circulation of counterfeit drugs.
“He discusses the improvements made over the years and
points out areas where regulatory frameworks could be strengthened to enhance
drug safety and efficacy.
“His book also explores the broader impact of the
pharmaceutical industry on public health in Nigeria. He shows how effective
drug production and distribution systems are essential for combating major
health issues such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS and argues that
Nigeria’s ability to produce affordable, high-quality drugs domestically will
directly influence its capacity to meet public health needs.”
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| R-L: Former Minister of Education, Senator, Malam Ibrahim Shekaru exchanging greetings with Chairman of the Occasion Former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi; Author of the Book, former President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, during the Book Launch ‘ the Pharmaceutical industry and drug Production in Nigeria ‘ held in Lagos on Thursday. |
On global integration, Prof Baale noted that Yakasai in the book explores how Nigeria can learn from more advanced markets while becoming a key regional and international trade player, arguing that the potential for Nigerian pharmaceutical companies to expand their reach, especially within the West African sub-region, by leveraging trade agreements and regional partnerships.
In conclusion, Prof.
Baale while disclosing that the book is grounded in extensive research,
supported by data, historical records, and policy documents with home-grown
solutions, described it as a must-read for everyone.
Earlier in his opening speech, the author Yakasai traced the
book’s publication to when he prepared a position paper on Local Drug
Production as requested by the late Alhaji Abba Kyari, the then Chief of Staff
to President Buhari.
He further explained the choice of the topic as his research
project as a student of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies
(NIPSS), Bukuru, Plateau State, Nigeria. Yakasai, the founder of Multiplus
Consulting, Pharmaplus Nigeria Limited commended the management of the think-thank
school for permitting him to publish it in book form for the benefit of
pharmaceutical practitioners, students, policymakers, and the general public.
Alhaji Yakasai announced that all the proceeds from the book
launch will be channeled to the education of the girlchild in his village, in
Kano State.
