Applause For Yakasai As He Unveils Book On Nigeria’s Drug Manufacturing Crisis

16 hours ago 8

The Publication Addresses Local Medicines Production Challenges, Strategic Path Forward – Industry Leaders
It’s Wakeup Call On Urgent Return To Sector’s Industralisation

Industry leaders in the health sector on Thursday in Lagos applauded Pharm. Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, former President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria for unveiling a compelling book that addresses Nigeria’s drug manufacturing crisis and urgent need for enhanced local production.

Among the distinguished attendees was Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi, the former Minister of Health, who honoured Yakasai’s groundbreaking book, Pharmaceutical Industry, and Drug Manufacturing in Nigeria.

Yakasai’s work garnered widespread recognition as the only one of its kind for conducting thorough research on the urgent need for enhanced local drug production in Nigeria. This is in addition to exploring the intricate policy framework governing the country’s pharmaceutical sector, addressing its challenges, and outlining a strategic path forward.

Adelusi-Adeluyi commended him for approaching the publication in a refreshing and direct way that gives information on what is happening in the country’s Pharmaceutical space. The former Minister noted that the book should be a wake-up call for Nigeria to start going back to industrialisation.

Also, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Kano State’s former Governor described Yakasai as an accomplished Pharmacist whose book captures most of the problems facing the profession and appeals to government and policymakers to consider implementing some of the book’s recommendations.

Shekarau believes that the implementation of the book’s recommendations will change the narratives of the country’s health sector and put Nigeria on par with India, China, and Pakistan, countries that have achieved success in drug manufacturing.

The book review attracted a diverse audience, including members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) esteemed academics, and senior executives from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Others are representatives from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, and His Excellency, Major General Sohail Ahmad Khan (Rtd), the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, along with the general public.

During the event, Professor Lere Baale, Chief Executive Officer of Business School Netherlands International highlighted one of the book’s central themes: the critical transition from reliance on imported pharmaceuticals to local drug manufacturing.

The author passionately underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to enhance its capacity for domestic drug production, according to Baale, who is also President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm).

He said that Yakasai elaborated on the efforts made by the government and private sector to encourage local production of drugs and reduce reliance on imported pharmaceuticals, which often come at a higher cost and with quality assurance issues.

Similarly, he said that the book delves into the policy framework surrounding Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. This includes government initiatives like the National Drug Policy and regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

In addition, Baale said that Yakasai’s book critically examines how these policies and regulatory efforts have shaped the pharmaceutical landscape, both positively and negatively.

The erudite Professor who is currently President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, went further to state that Yakasai took readers through the phases of drug production in Nigeria. Baale said that he highlighted key milestones in establishing indigenous pharmaceutical companies and the contribution of these companies to national healthcare apart from making the book pragmatic, citing the case studies of India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

His speech partly reads, “One of the book’s core themes is the shift from dependence on imported drugs to local manufacturing. The author emphasised the need for Nigeria to build its capacity in drug production.

“Yakasai also elaborated on the efforts made by the government and private sector to encourage local production of drugs and reduce reliance on imported pharmaceuticals, which often come at a higher cost and with quality assurance issues.”

The reviewer also said that Yakasai argues that local production is crucial for improving access to essential medicines, ensuring drug security, boosting the economy, and creating employment opportunities. This is just as he highlighted local manufacturers’ challenges, including high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and inconsistent government support.

He further said, “Yakasai also gives special attention to the regulatory challenges in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, particularly the role of NAFDAC and other agencies in maintaining quality control and preventing the circulation of counterfeit drugs.

“He discusses the improvements made over the years and points out areas where regulatory frameworks could be strengthened to enhance drug safety and efficacy.

“His book also explores the broader impact of the pharmaceutical industry on public health in Nigeria. He shows how effective drug production and distribution systems are essential for combating major health issues such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS and argues that Nigeria’s ability to produce affordable, high-quality drugs domestically will directly influence its capacity to meet public health needs.”

On global integration, Prof Baale noted that Yakasai in the book explores how Nigeria can learn from more advanced markets while becoming a key regional and international trade player, arguing that the potential for Nigerian pharmaceutical companies to expand their reach, especially within the West African sub-region, by leveraging trade agreements and regional partnerships.

In conclusion, Prof. Baale while disclosing that the book is grounded in extensive research, supported by data, historical records, and policy documents with home-grown solutions, described it as a must-read for everyone.

Earlier in his opening speech, the author Yakasai traced the book’s publication to when he prepared a position paper on Local Drug Production as requested by the late Alhaji Abba Kyari, the then Chief of Staff to President Buhari.

He further explained the choice of the topic as his research project as a student of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Bukuru, Plateau State, Nigeria. Yakasai, the founder of Multiplus Consulting, Pharmaplus Nigeria Limited commended the management of the think-thank school for permitting him to publish it in book form for the benefit of pharmaceutical practitioners, students, policymakers, and the general public.

Alhaji Yakasai announced that all the proceeds from the book launch will be channeled to the education of the girlchild in his village, in Kano State.

Source