The Federal Ministry of Health has revealed that the Federal Government is looking into making policies where local manufacturers must be patronised for health sector procurement.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Abdullahi, while on a visit to the Emzor Ultra Modern WHO-Compliant factory in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Friday.
The Nigerian pharmaceutical giant, Emzor, also revealed its plans to go into vaccine development soon.
What they are saying
“With all that is on ground, I believe Emzor should be part of the country’s manufacturers that should be encouraged through the Global Fund and other monetary agencies.
Global Fund has committed over $890 million over three years and I am happy that the country’s representative of the Global Fund is here with us.
The present dispensation of President Buhari will do all it can to actualise one of the main objectives of this government to promote local manufacturers in the country,” Abdullahi said.
The government will also look into making policies, where local manufacturers must be patronised for health sector procurement and certain percentage must be allocated to them,” he added.
Mrs Uzoma Ezeoke, the Executive Director of Emzor, stated that the company had concluded plans to open the factory a long time ago, adding that it was the fourth plant owned by the company.
“Apart from drug manufacturing, we are also into other medical equipment and we intend to go into vaccine production when the time comes,” she added.
In case you missed it
Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) urged African leaders this week to take the production of vaccines serious in a bid to increase access to vaccines for African citizens.
“Africa needs solutions to help it navigate through the very challenging times posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. But the rebound will depend on access to vaccines,” he said.
