Mr Olayiwola Olushina, the Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara Chapter, said on Monday that the epileptic power supply in the country was affecting production of pharmaceutical products.
Olushina told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the irregular power supply was responsible for the low capacity production by the drug manufacturing companies.
According to him, in some other countries, pharmaceutical factories work 24 hours, to meet demands, which should also be replicated in Nigeria.
“There are companies in Nigeria that have World Health Organisation (WHO) standard, and can produce drugs that will serve the Nigerian public
“If we are serious as a nation, we can do it, but if we are not, we will continue with what we are having.
“The epileptic power supply is really affecting pharmaceutical companies in the state.
“Most times, we power generators to preserve drugs, and the running cost is cutting back on profits.
“We are over ripe to produce even more than 70 per cent; there is the capacity to produce, if the government can encourage local industries,’’ Olushina said.
The PSN chief attributed some people’s preference for foreign drugs to inferiority complex, urging Nigerians to be proud to patronise home-made products.
He noted that there was the need for government and the manufacturers to be focused, to achieve the set target.
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