In its quest to fill the vacuum in the beta-lactam range of products in the country, Jawa International Limited, has started the construction of an antibiotic dry syrup manufacturing plant in Lagos.
The groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony took place recently at the company’s premises in Lagos.
The factory, according to the company, is designed to meet the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standard and it will cost N2 billion. The Pharma company noted that the project is expected to be funded with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention fund and the gestation period of the project is 18 months.
Speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of the company, Chief Varkey Verghese, (MFR) reiterated the organisation’s commitment to the provision of world-class quality medicines at the most affordable rates for Nigerians and non-Nigerians.
The Jawa boss commended the Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye for her kind gesture towards the pharmaceutical industry, by ensuring that the industry received intervention fund from the Federal Government through CBN.
Chief Verghese said “We are grateful to the Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye for putting it upon herself to ensure that pharmaceutical sector gets assistance from the Federal Government in 2020 after several years”.
He stated that the company will continue to work harder to emerge as an innovative pharmaceutical manufacturing company and healthcare solutions provider.
Giving details of the antibiotic dry syrup manufacturing factory, the project coordinator, who is also a director of the company, Jacob Kurian reiterated that the facility is formatted and designed to meet the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standard, adding that the project, on completion, will be the first of its kind in Nigeria and West Africa.
“The dry syrup container will be packed along with the required purified quantity of water that will be provided alongside the dry powder packing. This is customer friendly and readily acceptable by the consumers. The gestation period of the project is 18 months”, Kurian said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has commended Jawa on the project, saying it is the manifestation of the commitment of the organisation towards the development of the pharmaceutical industry and wellbeing of Nigerians.
In his congratulatory message, sent to the company, Mustapha who was expected to attend the foundation laying ceremony but for other important national assignments, congratulated Jawa, saying the project is worthy of recognition.
While speaking at the event, the DG of NAFDAC, Adeyeye who was ably represented by an assistant director in the Evaluation Directorate, Mrs Kadijat Ade Abolade applauded Jawa for taking such a laudable step in building the factory. She called on other manufacturing companies in the pharmaceutical industry to come up with manufacturing facilities, saying the agency is willing to provide the needed support.
She said “we appreciate the giant stride Jawa is taking in the pharmaceutical sector. The building of the factory is a laudable one. We are happy to be identified with the Jawa project, especially at this critical time in the history of the nation’s economy, we really commend the company.
“The reality is that COVID-19 has come to stay, hence there is need for drug security. Local manufacturers should come up with manufacturing facilities. We will support them. Drug manufacturers should uphold quality assurance and come up with quality products that can be exported and compete with other products abroad”.
In his goodwill message at the event, the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Dr N. A. E. Mohammed showered encomium on the organisation, saying the project is an extension of Jawa’s vision to ensure that medicines are produced in compliance with the standard of NAFDAC Good Manufacturing Practice as well as that of PCN and WHO.
“Jawa International Limited, under the able leadership of Chief Verghese, MFR, has greatly contributed to the progress made within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Nigeria and it is highly commendable that you are breaking ground and laying a foundation for a new NAFDAC-GMP compliant Antibiotic Dry Syrup Manufacturing Factory. PCN felicitates with the management and staff of Jawa International Limited on this giant stride and wishes you a smooth and speedy completion of the project”, the PCN Registrar said.
While commending Jawa on the plant, the Secretary, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Gbenga Falabi who was represented by Pharm. Victor Ogbonna, described Jawa as an advocate of local manufacturing. He however urged the organisation to keep the flag flying and continue to provide employment for Nigerians.
Similarly, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Toki Mabogunje applauded the project, saying it is a move by Jawa to make Nigeria self-reliant in drug production. The LCCI president, who was represented by Mr Gbenga Ismail however urged the Nigerian government to arrest the challenges surrounding low capacity in the manufacturing companies in the country.
