The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, visited the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) in Abuja, emphasizing the institute’s potential to bridge the country’s pharmaceutical gap and combat counterfeit drugs. He expressed confidence in NIPRD’s capabilities, highlighting the need for more clinical trials to bring its products to the public and create employment opportunities.
“I am very impressed with the portfolio product, and I have been working with the institute to see how we can quickly get some of these into clinical trials and then some of them into the market,” the minister remarked during his visit.
In addition to praising NIPRD’s progress, the minister called on counterfeiters to cease their detrimental activities, stressing the vast opportunities within Nigeria’s legal pharmaceutical market. With a population of 220 million, the country presents substantial potential for legitimate businesses.
Moreover, the minister reiterated the President’s commitment to funding healthcare delivery in Nigeria, addressing concerns about budgetary allocation to the institute. Dr. Tunji Alausa’s visit serves as a proactive step towards enhancing local drug production and combatting the presence of counterfeit drugs in the country.
