The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has praised Fidson Healthcare Plc for its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sango, Ogun State.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s support for indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing, saying with the facility, the firm deserves the support and patronage of the government and stakeholders.
The Minister, who spoke to reporters during his familiarisation tour of the factory described the facility as a ‘wonder’, saying he is “impressed with its enormous production capacity” and pledged government’s support.
“What Fidson has built here is extraordinary. We must encourage and support this project in terms of patronage and tax relief to ensure that the company is able to coordinate production in a sustainable manner,” Adewole said.
The Minister said part of the support would be in raw materials’ import. “We will get the Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority to witness this so that there can be support in terms of getting on board more raw materials needed for drug manufacturing,” he said.
He promised a review of the policy on importation tariff on raw materials, particularly in the indigeneous manufacturing of medicines in Nigeria.
“We have discussed with the Minister of Trade and Investment asking for a reversal of the policy on the high tariff on imported raw materials. My visit to this new factory is another reminder in that regard,” he said.
Adewole stressed that the Muhammadu Buhari administration is focused on creating the market for local manufacturers through patronage, protection and payment. “As far as patronage is concerned, the government will patronise local pharmaceutical manufacturers. We will also offer protection while ensuring that we clear outstanding payments and will only place orders when there are funds for immediate payment.’’
The facility is one of the five shortlisted for World Health Organisation (WHO) certification in Nigeria. The plant is equipped with six production lines – tablets, capsules, liquids, cream and ointments, dry powder and intravenous fluids to meet the needs of the Nigerian and West African markets.
Fidson Healthcare Managing Director, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, expressed optimism that with the government’s support, the new plant would not only boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, it would transform industry.
He said the pharmaceutical business requires huge investment to meet future healthcare demands of Nigerians. He noted that with the completion of the plant, the industry could launch into global reckoning and attract foreign investors.
Ayebae highlighted the benefits of the factory to include high quality and affordable healthcare products, world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, employment generation, increased local content, generation of stronger partnerships, as well as strategic brand and market positioning.
He said the plant would manufacture large scale pharmaceutical products for Nigerians, thereby strengthening its leadership position in the industry and place the firm on the global map.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s support for indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing, saying with the facility, the firm deserves the support and patronage of the government and stakeholders.
The Minister, who spoke to reporters during his familiarisation tour of the factory described the facility as a ‘wonder’, saying he is “impressed with its enormous production capacity” and pledged government’s support.
“What Fidson has built here is extraordinary. We must encourage and support this project in terms of patronage and tax relief to ensure that the company is able to coordinate production in a sustainable manner,” Adewole said.
The Minister said part of the support would be in raw materials’ import. “We will get the Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority to witness this so that there can be support in terms of getting on board more raw materials needed for drug manufacturing,” he said.
He promised a review of the policy on importation tariff on raw materials, particularly in the indigeneous manufacturing of medicines in Nigeria.
“We have discussed with the Minister of Trade and Investment asking for a reversal of the policy on the high tariff on imported raw materials. My visit to this new factory is another reminder in that regard,” he said.
Adewole stressed that the Muhammadu Buhari administration is focused on creating the market for local manufacturers through patronage, protection and payment. “As far as patronage is concerned, the government will patronise local pharmaceutical manufacturers. We will also offer protection while ensuring that we clear outstanding payments and will only place orders when there are funds for immediate payment.’’
The facility is one of the five shortlisted for World Health Organisation (WHO) certification in Nigeria. The plant is equipped with six production lines – tablets, capsules, liquids, cream and ointments, dry powder and intravenous fluids to meet the needs of the Nigerian and West African markets.
Fidson Healthcare Managing Director, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, expressed optimism that with the government’s support, the new plant would not only boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, it would transform industry.
He said the pharmaceutical business requires huge investment to meet future healthcare demands of Nigerians. He noted that with the completion of the plant, the industry could launch into global reckoning and attract foreign investors.
Ayebae highlighted the benefits of the factory to include high quality and affordable healthcare products, world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, employment generation, increased local content, generation of stronger partnerships, as well as strategic brand and market positioning.
He said the plant would manufacture large scale pharmaceutical products for Nigerians, thereby strengthening its leadership position in the industry and place the firm on the global map.
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