- Lagos State disclosed plans to establish a new drug manufacturing agency at the 7th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo
- Professor Akin Abayomi, Lagos Commissioner for Health, shared this at an expo for drug manufacturers in the state
- The proposed agency would address drug supply issues and ensure national self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals, according to the commissioner
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has revealed that the state is moving forward with plans to create a drug manufacturing agency to enhance the availability of quality drugs and medical supplies.
This was disclosed during the opening ceremony of the 7th Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo, a biennial event organised in partnership between the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) and GPE Expo PVT. Ltd in Lagos on Wednesday, September 4.
Lagos drafts new law for drug management agency
“The Lagos State Government is already writing a draft law on the drug management agency, it will be submitted to the cabinet and passed on to the Lagos Assembly,” Abayomi stated at the event.
The expo, themed “Fostering Partnership and Innovation to Unlock the Pharma Manufacturing Value Chain in Nigeria, Central and West Africa,” saw participation from 55 companies from China and India, along with 100 members of PMG-MAN.
Abayomi further said, “Many states have done it. We are left behind because we have so many industrial platforms in Lagos and Ogun states, and most of these drugs are produced in our vicinity.
“This will enable Lagos not only to promote local manufacturing, but to also promote the idea of total quality assurance, including random testing alongside NAFDAC, and form a collaboration with the private sector,” the commissioner added.
Further, Prof. Abayomi commended PMG-MAN for its dedication to driving local drug production efforts and enhancing the country’s drug supply security.
“Today represents another of those occasions that you are making it clearly understood by all stakeholders and policymakers, that this is what you require to drive that local industry of self-sufficiency in the health sector and the pharmaceutical industry.
“In so doing, we must ensure that we’re not putting our citizens at risk because a substandard drug can result in severe morbidity, sickness or death.”
The commissioner encouraged local producers to adopt global best practices, emphasising that ensuring medicine security and national self-sufficiency is crucial for the country's survival.
Sanwo-Olu, others commend bankers’ committee as it unveils newly-restored National Theatre
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the National Theatre in Lagos had been officially restored by the Bankers' Committee to harness the creative sector's potential for Nigeria’s youth.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Bankers' Committee representatives commended the restoration as a significant cultural and economic asset.