Nigeria eyes local vet drug manufacturing

By Cynthia Alo

Nigeria could soon begin producing veterinary hormonal drugs locally, as Chromedix Pharmaceuticals Limited has approached the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) with a proposal to build the country’s first manufacturing facility for such products.

This comes five months after the ministry raised alarm over the persistent circulation of substandard and falsified veterinary drugs in the country.

The minister blamed local manufacturing and distribution channels for allowing poor products to enter the market, where livestock farmers unknowingly purchase the substandard drugs.  

A statement stated that the pitch was made during a formal engagement with the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi  Maiha in Abuja.

Team Lead of the pharmaceutical group, Dr. Dennis Brownie, who led the presentation, told the Minister that the proposed facility would not only reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported veterinary pharmaceuticals but would anchor a broader ambition to develop the first hormonal pharmaceutical manufacturing platform in Sub-Saharan Africa, one designed to serve both human and veterinary healthcare markets.

Central to the plan is a strategic partnership with global life sciences giant, Bayer, which Chromedix said would facilitate technology transfer and provide the technical expertise required to build out hormonal manufacturing capabilities on Nigerian soil.

“The collaboration will strengthen local capacity, promote international best practices, and accelerate the development of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem in the country,” Brownie stated.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic objectives including  livestock productivity improvement, food security, creation of skilled employment, and the long-term ambition of positioning Nigeria as a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.

Receiving the team, the minister said the proposal aligns within the administration’s livestock transformation agenda and endorsed public-private collaboration as the vehicle for building the kind of local industrial capacity Nigeria needs.

“This initiative will contribute significantly to socio-economic development by improving access to quality veterinary healthcare products and reducing dependence on imports,” adding that the Ministry remains committed to supporting credible partnerships capable of accelerating sectoral growth.

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