Dr Samuel Adekoya, President of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), on Thursday urged government to support indigenous drug manufacturers to ensure drug security in the country.
Adekoya made the call on Thursday, during the association’s tour of Emzor Ultra Modern WHO-Compliant factory in Sagamu, Ogun State.
He said: “One way to ensure drug security in the country is to support indigenous manufacturers to produce essential medicine needed by our people.
“If we don’t have drug security, a common outbreak of disease is capable of wiping out the system.
“So, drug security is much more important than the current insecurity we are facing.”
The President commended Emzor Pharmaceuticals for its contributions to the health sector in the country, saying
“We have been hearing a lot about Emzor facility and I honestly appreciate what l have seen here today in Sagamu.
Emzor is a trailblazer, particularly in indigenous manufacturing of quality and affordable medicine for the well being of Nigerians.
“Government should encourage indigenous company like Emzor to boost the country’s efficiency in drug production,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Mr Chukwu Ekwe, the Head of Sales, Marketing and Strategy of Zolon Healthcare Limited, said the 60 hectares factory was conceived to drive the company’s expansion strategy.
“The plan to build this factory, which was started a long time ago, and this is the fourth factory owned by Emzor.
“This factory is seated on a 60-hectare land and some of the products we decided to manufacture are essential products needed in the country.
“We have the capacity to produce more than 60 products as a company,” he said.
Ekwe said the company which had over 200 products would continue to raise its game to deliver more quality products.
“International quality in our industry is tied to process, which means you have to ensure a process closes before you start another one, same as product manufacturing and this phase is another process.
“Apart from drug manufacturing, we are also into other medical equipment and we intend to go into vaccine production when the time comes,” she said.
Emzor Pharmaceuticals was founded by Dr Stella Okoli, as a retail pharmacy in 1977.
The company began drug manufacturing in 1984.
