We expect more indigenous pharmaceutical companies —Health Ministry

Federal Ministry of Health said it expected more indigenous pharmaceutical companies to be established in the country as Federal Government took steps to boost local capacity and domestic production of products to meet local needs.

It acknowledged the importance of pharmaceutical industries to the nation’s economy.

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, while speaking at the opening of the 89th Annual National Conference of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Minna assured pharmaceutical companies in the country of government’s determination to reduce counterfeiting of drugs in the country.

The minister, who represented Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the event, said that government was also promoting measures that would enable better monitoring of products.

He stated that overall condition of medicines purchased by the public was of paramount importance to government.

The minister assured that government remained committed in its efforts to remove obstacles that had long afflicted business innovation and growth in the country.

While recognising pharmacists as important stakeholders in the health sector, he assured that government would continue to provide enabling environment for harmony in the health sector.