The Federal and State Governments in Nigeria have been advised to come to the aid of the pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria for improved healthcare delivery on the country. Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) at a news conference ahead of its 44th Annual National Conference disclosed that Nigeria now has over 150 registered pharmaceutical manufacturers, with at least five of them certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). The National Chairman of the Association, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, said this remains milestone that underlines the industry’s growing potential despite prevailing challenges..

He stressed that the pharmaceutical industry continues to grow despite all odds as local manufacturers, including prominent Nigerian investors, are building Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) plants with investments running into tens of millions of dollars. According to Ezeh, with recent investments and strategic expansion, the industry is projected to grow from its current estimated value of $2 billion to as much as $10 billion in the next five years.

He added that despite the advancement, the association noted that the sector still requires deliberate support from the government. ACPN also called on the government to amend the Fake Drug Act to include stiffer penalties for defaulters and to fully implement the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (2015), which aim to sanitize Nigeria’s chaotic drug supply chain.