Stop Exodus Of Pharmaceutical Companies Now, NMA Tells FG

Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the federal government to take urgent action to stop the continuous exit of pharmaceutical and multi-national companies from Nigeria due to the challenging business environment.

The NMA said the exodus, caused by the impact of naira devaluation and forex scarcity, has resulted in drug shortages, geometric increases in the prices of drugs and job losses.

The doctors expressed worry, saying the development is a threat to the future of access to essential medicines by millions of Nigerians.

The association made the call at a press briefing, addressed by the newly elected NMA president, Dr Bala Muhammad Audu, yesterday, in Abuja.

NMA recently elected new officials at its 64th Annual General Conference and Delegates meeting, themed: “Reversing the Trend of Health Sector Brain Drain” and subtheme “Euthanasia in Medical Practice”, held in Cross River State from 5th to 12th May, 2024.

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The doctors insisted that the Nigerian government must brace up to stop the development by creating a friendly business environment as well as making adequate investment in the domestic pharmaceutical and other companies.

According to the communique of the annual general meeting made available to journalists, the NMA noted that “The continuous exit of pharmaceutical giants from Nigeria due to challenging business environment caused by impact of naira devaluation and forex scarcity has resulted in drugs shortages, geometric increases in the prices of drugs and job losses.

“The conference further noted that this exodus raises serious concerns about the future of access to essential medicines by millions of Nigerians.

“The Annual General Conference reviewed the level of progress made in clearing the backlog of salary arrears, implementation of the new hazard allowance, the review and implementation of the revised Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) and other salary packages for doctors and other health workers in various NMA state branches.

“The conference was impressed with the various interventions of the Executive Governors of Ekiti, Rivers and Ebonyi states.

“The conference also noted the level of progress made by other governors in clearing the backlog of unpaid salaries and improving the wages of doctors and other Health workers in their states.

“The conference noted the increasing number of quacks apprehended over the past few months. Suffice to say that quackery has brought untold hardships to many Nigerians, in terms of attendant complications with deadly outcomes,” the communique reads.