FG To Partner Private Sector On Local Drug Production

The federal government has disclosed that it will be partnering with the private sector boost local production of drugs to 60 per cent.

Special adviser to the president on Health, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, who disclosed this at 2023 Medic West Africa Conference, in Lagos, averred that the Tinubu-led administration is focusing on medical industrialization.

“This cannot happen by the government, alone, without the involvement of the private sector. We need to start producing what we need in Nigeria, at least let us take it up to 60 per cent, including the active pharmaceutical industries, the raw materials that we need, and assembling,” she explained.

She congratulated the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and Medic West Africa for putting together this conference at this time, adding that, “We look forward to the outcome of the conference detailing the role of the private sector and discussing how we can work together with the government to optimize the performance of our health system. I can guarantee you that we have shifted the needle. We are more committed and we are more eager to see that we change the health outcomes in Nigeria for sustainable development.”

Medic West Africa 2023, Featured over 3,600 attendees and 161 exhibitors from 32 countries, and drew together regional healthcare professionals, policymakers, and service providers who are committed to knowledge-sharing, networking, and business partnerships to improve West African healthcare infrastructure.

Exhibition director, Tom Coleman, said, “We are very pleased with the success of Medic West Africa 2023. Medic West Africa envisages a future in which healthcare in West Africa is more than a pipe dream; a reality in which excellence is the norm and every person is respected and cared for. As the successful decennium comes to an end, we are committed to the mission and ready to write the next chapter of an extraordinary narrative – a story of excellence, impact, and hope for a healthier and better future for West Africa. We are grateful to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees for making Medic West Africa 2023 such a success and look forward to welcoming everyone back in April 2024 for an even bigger and better event.”

The event was well-attended by key stakeholders including Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health; Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health (2010 – 2014); Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr Tomi Coker, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; and Dr Success Prosper-Ohayagha, Honourable Commissioner of Health, Imo State amongst other players in the healthcare industry.

Medic West Africa, which was co-located with Medlab West Africa, the ideal medical laboratory event which created unparalleled networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities among the medical laboratory community, is renowned for its position as the best gateway to access the West African healthcare market. The success of Medic West Africa’s 2023 edition was a testament to the growing importance of Medic West Africa as a platform for healthcare professionals from across the region to come together and learn about the latest advances in healthcare equipment and solutions.

A number of major deals were signed during the event, including partnerships between local and international companies to bring new technologies and products to the region. Dymind Biotechnology Co., a high-tech enterprise specialising in the R&D, manufacture, sales and service of medical devices and reagents in the field of IVD, hosted an exclusive product launch during the event showcasing their latest models covering haematology, POCT, coagulation, and veterinary products.

With a bustling agenda and strategic activities, the 2023 edition of Medic West Africa was an unmatched ideal industry platform for the collaboration of health stakeholders in achieving improved healthcare for all Nigerians. The event was supported by Crown Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Randox, and Siemens Healthineers as platinum partners; DCL Laboratory Products, Erba Mannheim, QIAGEN, Snibe Diagnostic, and UNI-Medical as gold partners; and SEMED as a silver partner.