Quick Summary:
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II raises alarm over Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported drugs, with 80% sourced from India, calling for urgent local production reforms.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has revealed that 70 percent of drugs consumed in Nigeria are imported, with 80 percent of those imports coming from India.
Sanusi described the situation as worrisome and a potential security threat to the nation, stressing the need for urgent government intervention to strengthen local pharmaceutical production.
Call for Local Drug Manufacturing
Speaking in a keynote address at a conference organised by the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria in Lagos, themed “Reimagining Nigeria’s Health Security: Local Production, Economic Sovereignty & Strategic Partnership”, the Emir urged the Federal Government to establish local drug manufacturing plants.
He said such efforts would boost the economy, create jobs, and enhance national health security.
Economic and Security Implications
Sanusi warned that Nigeria’s overreliance on foreign pharmaceutical imports exposes the country to supply chain disruptions, price instability, and strategic vulnerabilities in times of global crises.
He emphasized that local production would not only reduce dependency but also strengthen economic sovereignty and improve access to essential medicines.
Push for Policy Reform
The Emir’s remarks align with growing calls from industry experts for policy reforms that support investment in local pharmaceutical infrastructure, research, and public-private partnerships.
He urged policymakers to prioritize health security as a national development goal, ensuring that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector becomes self-reliant and globally competitive.