Falabi, Ekundayo, Decry Malaria Burden in Nigeria

pharmacy

– As Drugfield partners Tiptop on Reptogel distribution

The duo of the Group Managing Director, Drugfield Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharm. Olakunle Ekundayo, and the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Consultant, TipTop Nigeria Limited, Pharm. Gbenga Falabi, have expressed concern over the rising cases of malaria infection in the country, saying despite efforts made so far by stakeholders in combating the disease, Nigeria ranks among countries with the highest burden of the disease, as well as accounting for almost 24 per cent of all global morbidities.

The concern was raised during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Drugfield, a market leader in the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry and TipTop, a new management and marketing consulting firm, towards the distribution of Drugfield’s Reptogel mosquito and insect repellent gel in the country.

Speaking at the official partnership signing ceremony, which held recently at Drugfield’s head office in Ota, Ogun State, Ekundayo remarked that, with the right strategies and pharmaceutical intervention, malaria is both preventable and treatable.

The Drugfield boss further explained that the signing of the MOU was one of such strategies, noting that the gesture represented a symbiotic and mutual relationship aimed at putting the patient first.

He disclosed that, through the new partnership, more people in the country would easily have access to Reptogel mosquito and insect repellent gel anywhere in the country.

In his words: “Drugfield is a wholly Nigerian company and same goes for TipTop. So if we team up and make a success, then it’s better for us, rather than looking for an outsider when we have our own around us. We also know that TipTop is a reliable company because its chief executive director, Pharm. Gbenga Falabi, is a seasoned marketer and he has been successful with so many products in the past. So we are hopeful that this won’t be an exception.”

Also speaking at the event, Falabi, revealed that his relationship with Drugfield had been on for years, adding that the birth of TipTop, about two years ago, was a significant milestone, as it happened shortly after he left Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited in 2018.

According to Falabi, who was the former general manager of Greenlife and past national chairman, Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Drugfield is a reputable pharmaceutical company with a vision to eradicate diseases in the country and beyond, adding that, with the objective of TipTop being to help keep companies alive and well, he was optimistic that the partnership would help save more lives from the scourge of malaria.

According to the former NAIP boss, the burden of malaria in the country is quite worrisome, stressing that, out of the about 480,000 deaths that occur yearly in Africa from the disease, 60 per cent come from Nigeria.

He added that Drugfield had taken a great step with the production of Reptogel, saying that it will help curb the spread of malaria, as the disease continues to pose a major challenge to the country by impeding human and infrastructural development.

Speaking further on Reptogel, Falabi, a renowned pharmacist said the product is formulated to protect Nigerians from mosquitoes by creating a “no mosquito zone” for its users, adding that with each application, a consumer could enjoy up to eight hours protection which he said was not possible with other mosquito gels in the market.

“Reptogel is going to be marketed as a fast-moving consumable product, which insecticides fall into. It is safe on the skin; it doesn’t cause sweat or give a foul smell. We are recommending that, anything that keeps anybody outside late or early evening, they need Reptogel; and that is why the company has come up with a 25-gramm pack that can easily fit into people’s pockets while ladies can keep it in their purse and bags.

“The message is that when people are going for a vigil, they should use Reptogel. Children in hostels, those in schools or anybody that stays late in the evening when mosquitoes are active needs the product,” he said.

Falabi further revealed that the new mosquito repellent gel is quite affordable, adding Drugfield is planning to come up with an 85-gram pack, specially for the family.