Health
Nigerians Won’t Feel Exit of GSK, Sanofi, Others—Local Drug Makers
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group under the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on its members to leverage the exit of foreign pharmaceutical companies to boost medicine production.
Recall that pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Nigeria Limited, exited the country due to challenges with foreign exchange, ease of doing business, multiple taxation, and importation bureaucracy, among others.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, Mr Oluwatosin Jolayemi, Chairman of the sub-group and Managing Director of Daily-Need Industries Limited, said the industry was ready to step up to ensure that Nigerians don’t feel the exit.
He disclosed that between six and 11 pharmaceutical factories were poised to produce products that GSK, Sanofi and other pharmaceutical companies had produced.
“Maybe there are some SKUs (Store Keeping Units) that we do not have the capacity for. The ones that we have the capacity for, which is the bulk of what they bring into the country, we are ready for.
“But the issue is that medicine is not just like sewing clothes or buying shoes. There is a process to manufacture medicine.
“But we are ready in the industry because we have between 6 and 11 factories that are poised to produce those products that GSK, Sanofi and others have. And because most of these products are generic, we are poised to produce them,” he said.
He emphasised that the government must have a policy statement and be deliberate to ensure local pharmaceutical companies fill the gaps and thrive through an enabling environment and business-friendly regulation.
“Either the government or NAFDAC has to be able to take advantage and let the local industry take advantage of the lacuna.
“And give priorities so that the prices of drugs, particularly these antibiotics could come down.
“But, as long as we are still holding on to the bottlenecks, the problem continues to linger, and the cost of medicines remains high,” he said.
He noted that the government must ensure that a lot of bottlenecks should be addressed, citing issues with regulation and the process of registration.
“We are not asking for the standard to be dropped. We are just asking that we should work together in the interest of the populace and see how we can begin to make these products available.
“Because these products are generic. They are not rocket science. They are not new molecules. They are old molecules that have been on the market for 20 to 30 years.
“So, this is something that we could always workaround, but it is left to the government and NAFDAC to decide,” he said.
Speaking on the rising cost of medicine, Mr Jolayemi attributed it to fluctuating foreign exchange rates, indiscriminate custom tariff regimes, high cost of electricity tariffs and operating costs, among others.
He stressed that it was cheaper to produce locally, noting that active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients are mostly imported by manufacturers.
Mr Jolayemi disclosed that a German company and another consortium are currently investing in API manufacturing.
“They are doing the formal analysis. And we hope that if those ones come on board, they cannot supply all the APIs that are required in the industry.
“But at least they will be able to take care of the usual regular ones that are common to use in the industry,” he said.
Mr Jolayemi also urged the federal government to assist manufacturers with soft loans and grants to boost production as done by the governments of India and China.
“The government needs to encourage pharmaceutical companies because APIs and medicine are national issues.
“The government needs to see healthcare as a national policy and begin to take it like that because if you have hospitals, no matter how beautiful your hospitals are, if there are no medicines, the hospital just becomes a consulting unit,” he said.
He emphasised that the government must prioritise healthcare, especially medicine production, availability and affordability for its citizens.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has launched its first nationally representative survey on antimicrobial resistance to generate critical data to guide evidence-based policies, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen health system resilience.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist treatment, making infections harder to cure.
As a result, surveillance is essential to track resistance patterns, identify priority pathogens, and guide targeted interventions and with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, the initiative marks a milestone in the country’s public health response.
Nigeria becomes the third country globally to partner with WHO on a national antimicrobial resistance survey. having been selected based on the country’s strong commitment to AMR surveillance, its updated WHO Nigeria NAP 2.0, and readiness to expand laboratory and data systems.
Africa’s most populous country ranks 20th globally for age-standardized mortality due to antimicrobial resistance . In 2019, an estimated 263,400 deaths in Nigeria were linked to it—more than the combined deaths from enteric infections, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, maternal and neonatal disorders, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases.
Globally, resistant infections in tertiary care settings cost between $2,371 and $29,289 per patient episode, extend hospital stays by an average of 7.4 days, and increase mortality risk by 84 per cent.
The survey will see the establishment of a national baseline on antimicrobial resistance prevalence to monitor interventions, assess the distribution, burden (morbidity, mortality, DALYs, cost), and diversity of AMR across regions and populations, as well as contribute to the global target of reducing AMR deaths by 10 per cent by 2030, in line with the political declaration endorsed at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in 2024.
It also seeks to strengthen routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance, including diagnostics, sample referral systems, and laboratory capacity.
Using WHO’s standardized methodology, the survey will run for 12–15 months and cover 40–45 randomly selected health facilities nationwide. Patients with suspected bloodstream infections (BSIs) will be identified using standard case definitions, and blood samples will be analysed in quality-assured laboratories.
Data will be collected across all age groups, covering clinical, demographic, laboratory, financial, and outcome indicators. Follow-up will occur at discharge, 28 days, and three months post-infection. The survey will sample approximately 35,000 patients suspected of BSIs to obtain around 800 isolates of the most common pathogens.
Dr Tochi Okwor, Acting Head, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said, “With WHO’s support, we are confident the survey will generate the evidence needed to protect public health.”
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment stating that ,“Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward combating AMR with an approach grounded in data, science, and measurable impact. This survey will provide the clarity needed to drive smarter policies, stronger surveillance, and better patient outcomes. Nigeria is laying the foundations for a resilient health system, one that protects lives, strengthens trust, and ensures that essential medicines remain effective for future generations.”
Adding her input, Dr Laetitia Gahimbare, Technical Officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa, added:“Strengthening surveillance enhances Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to AMR threats, supporting better patient outcomes, reinforcing health security, and building a resilient system.”
Professor Babatunde Ogunbosi, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at University College Hospital, Ibadan, highlighted the broader impact:, “This survey is about more than data. It’s about building national capacity for research, diagnostics, and policy. It integrates science into public health decision-making.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) in Nigeria, SUNU Health, has said its philosophy is proactive wellness, noting that this was why it recently partnered with The Divine Physician and St. Luke Catholic Chaplaincy Centre for a community health initiative.
The chief executive of the company, Dr Patrick Korie, said, “SUNU Health’s vision extends far beyond merely offering health packages and insurance.”
“We are fundamentally interested in proactive wellness—preventing illness rather than just treating it. This annual exercise is a crucial part of that commitment, and we will continue to champion it for as long as we exist,” he stressed.
The medical practitioner led the company’s annual Health Walk in Lagos on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The event drew hundreds of health enthusiasts, including the Chaplain of the centre, Rev Fr. John Okoria SJ.
His active participation reinforced the spiritual and moral commitment to holistic well-being, proving crucial in mobilizing staff and community members, thereby ensuring the vital wellness message reached a broad and deeply engaged audience.
The health walk covered several major streets in Lagos, starting from Ishaga Road and navigating through Itire Road, Randle Avenue, Akerele, Ogunlana Drive, and Workers Street before concluding back at the starting point. Following the vigorous walk, participants engaged in a session of high-energy aerobics and other outdoor exercises, reinforcing the day’s focus on fitness.
“We are delighted to champion this vital health initiative alongside the Catholic Chaplaincy Centre LUTH/CMUL. The turnout was truly delightful, reflecting the community’s deep desire to embrace wellness.
“Collaborations like this amplify our message and commitment to the Nigerian community,” the Brand and Corporate Communications Lead at SUNU Health, Mr Samuel Olayemi, stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Coronation Registrars Limited, a subsidiary of Coronation Group, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), recently hosted a Blood Drive Initiative at the 5th floor of Coronation Group Plaza. The event saw over 80 staff donate blood to support critical healthcare needs in Lagos State.
The Blood Drive Initiative forms part of Coronation’s commitment to meaningful, human-centred corporate social responsibility, a direct, measurable, and life-saving effort that reflects the Group’s health and sustainability values.
As Prosperity Partners dedicated to creating sustainable wealth for clients and the African continent, Coronation recognises that true prosperity extends beyond financial returns to encompass the well-being of communities we serve.
The company noted that this initiative enabled it to deliver immediate social impact by supporting national blood supply shortfalls through employee-driven action, demonstrate leadership in health-focused CSR aligned with ESG goals and SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), strengthen internal culture by fostering employee engagement, empathy, and purpose in a safe, structured environment, and reinforce corporate reputation through public-facing acts of service, stakeholder trust, and media visibility.
Blood donation remains a critical need in Nigeria, where regular blood supply is essential for emergency care, surgeries, and treatment of various medical conditions. Each donation can save up to three lives, and the collective effort of Coronation employees will significantly impact patients in need across Lagos State healthcare facilities.
“This aligns seamlessly with Coronation’s broader sustainability agenda, which views healthcare access as fundamental to building prosperous communities across Africa,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Partnering with a certified medical institution, the drive was professionally managed, medically compliant, and logistically efficient. Participants underwent necessary medical screening procedures to ensure donor fitness and safety. Following their donations, donors received refreshments and appreciation for their life-saving contribution.
“At Coronation, we believe in making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve,” said Mr Oluseyi Owoturo, Chief Executive Officer of Coronation Registrars Limited. “This Blood donation Initiative reflects our values in action, saving lives, building community, and positioning the company as a purpose-driven brand. We’re proud of our employees who stepped forward to donate blood and save lives. This is what sustainable impact looks like: tangible solutions that address real challenges facing our continent.”
The partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee ensured professional handling of the donation process, meeting all safety and quality standards for blood collection and storage.
Coronation Registrars Limited says it continues to demonstrate that corporate success goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility.
“This initiative reinforces the company’s purpose to create a prosperous future for clients and the African continent through transformational solutions,” it added.
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