Amidst the departure of multinational pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria, the country’s regulatory body, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), reports a significant rise in local drug manufacturing facilities. NAFDAC states that 105 applications for the construction of such facilities have been approved, meeting international quality standards.

These approved applications indicate a promising trend, with 35% of them having completed construction and advancing through the registration process. Moreover, over 20 newly registered local drug manufacturers have collectively invested over $2 billion in building World Health Organisation (WHO)-compliant facilities, marking a 12% increase in active local manufacturers.

In response to the departure of global pharmaceutical companies, NAFDAC emphasizes that while local manufacturers cannot fully replace the giants, their progress signifies a step forward for Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry. Emzor Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited, for example, has initiated commercial manufacturing of antimalarial Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in collaboration with NAFDAC and international partners.

Furthermore, NAFDAC is actively engaged in capacity building for local manufacturing, including workshops with global experts. This initiative aims to enhance technical competence in the production of raw materials for pharmaceuticals, essential for sustaining the growth of domestic manufacturing.

Additionally, Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited’s pediatric formulation has been pre-qualified by the WHO, reflecting the growing recognition of locally manufactured products. The agency also highlights the interest of other local manufacturers in obtaining global recognition and attracting partnerships with international organizations and multinational pharmaceutical companies.

While the exit of multinationals has caused concerns, including shortages in drug supply and price hikes for certain medications, NAFDAC remains optimistic about the future of local pharmaceutical manufacturing. The agency points to its efforts, such as attaining maturity three (ML3) status and WHO prequalification for laboratories, as evidence of the ongoing progress towards creating a stable and well-regulated environment for medicine production in Nigeria.

The departure of companies like GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Sanofi reflects challenges associated with foreign exchange, business environment, importation processes, taxation, and industry malpractice. Despite these obstacles, NAFDAC believes that with the right policies and regulatory environment, Nigeria can achieve self-sufficiency in manufacturing high-quality, safe, and effective medicines, ultimately overcoming its current economic challenges.