90% of drugs consumed in Nigeria are imported – Pharmaceutical association

Making the revelation yesterday at its 6th annual symposium and business summit, the chairman, Kano State chapter of the association Bala Maikudi said the trend was unfortunate.“A situation whereby more than 90% of drugs we consume today are imported, accounting for billions of Naira being wasted, creating unemployment, growing economy of others while our economy […]

Making the revelation yesterday at its 6th annual symposium and business summit, the chairman, Kano State chapter of the association Bala Maikudi said the trend was unfortunate.
“A situation whereby more than 90% of drugs we consume today are imported, accounting for billions of Naira being wasted, creating unemployment, growing economy of others while our economy remains in shambles,” he observed.
He added that this was as a result of not looking inward. Maikudi further noted that despite the millions of naira being expended on the numerous regulatory bodies, the fight against fake drugs and substandard products remains unabated.
He therefore called on governments at all levels, private sector and entrepreneurs to encourage investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing with a view to boosting the economy and creating more job opportunities, saying a nation could only progress when it takes up the initiative to be producer rather than a consumer nation.