Pharmacists Seek End To Medicine Import, Advocate Local Production

National chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Mr Bankole Ezebuilo, has called for a halt of the importation of medicines to reduce dependency and boost local production.

Ezebuilo made the call at the ongoing 29th Annual National Conference of NAIP, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The theme of the conference is, “Collaboration and Innovation to Build Local Solutions for the Future of Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry.”

Ezebuilo emphasised the need to enhance global competitiveness, and improve healthcare delivery in the country.

“No nation can outsource its health security, and no sector can thrive in isolation. We chose collaboration because the challenges before us are too complex, urgent, and interconnected for any single entity to solve alone.

“We chose innovation because doing more of the same will not take us where we need to go, and we chose local solutions because sustainability cannot be imported it must be built deliberately, strategically, and collectively,” he said.

He called on the government to create enabling policies, urging industry players to invest boldly, and encouraged academia to align research with practical needs.

Ezebuilo stressed that, ” a nation that cannot produce its own medicines is a nation negotiating with its health and negotiation is not where you want to be when lives are at stake.”

He noted that Nigeria stands at a defining moment, adding that on one path lies continued dependence importing over 70 percent of her medicines, noting that this exposes the country to currency volatility, global disruptions, and external decisions.

“On the other path lies sovereignty local innovation, resilient manufacturing, and an industry that not only serves Nigeria but leads Africa,” he said.