The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has commissioned the ultra-modern manufacturing facility of Artemis Laboratories Limited, located in Ota, Ogun State.
Speaking at the commissioning and inspection tour of the facility, the NAFDAC boss, who was joined by the Consular General of India in Nigeria, Mr Chandramouli Kern, and other dignitaries, commended Artemis for taking the bold step of transiting from drug importation and marketing to manufacturing.
Adeyeye, who seized the occasion to reiterate NAFDAC’s commitment to strengthening local pharma manufacturing, affirmed that getting companies in the country to produce quality products is a major strategy to ensure national drug security.
She added: “Investment in local manufacturing is extremely important for job creation in Nigeria, for increasing our GDP and it is also a step towards making quality products that can be traded internationally and globally.
“At NAFDAC, we are there to support, to guide and to ensure that the products that are made here are good enough for our people in Nigeria and are good to be traded internationally.”
The DG, who appreciated Artemis for the local manufacturing facility initiative, said NAFDAC encourages local production because it is easier to supervise and monitor quality. She added that NAFDAC is evolving digital solutions to drug regulation and is prepared to help pharmaceutical companies achieve the highest quality standards.
In his remarks, Mr Kern said the COVID-19 experience has taught every country to work towards self-sufficiency in drug production through local manufacturing. He stated that India is ready to cooperate with the Nigerian government, regulators and stakeholders to improve the country’s capacity in local manufacturing.
Kern, who commended Artemis for investing in local production by setting up the ultra-modern facility, called on NAFDAC and other regulators to give local manufacturers approvals to manufacture more products so that they can fully utilise their capacity. This, he said, will not only make them get more returns on their investments but will also make them work towards reinvestment.
Speaking also at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Artemis Laboratories Limited, Mr Nandkumar Nair, said setting up the facility represents a forward leap in the company’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare solutions.
He added that in setting up the facility, the company has demonstrated its commitment to helping Nigeria achieve self-reliance in pharmaceutical production, while contributing significantly to the national economy and public health.
“Artemis Laboratories is dedicated to expanding its manufacturing capabilities, anticipating the growing needs of the market and exploring new investment opportunities in the healthcare sector.
“This inauguration is not only a milestone for Artemis Laboratories but also a testament to our dedication to improving healthcare standards in Nigeria. We extend our gratitude to NAFDAC for their unwavering support and look forward to fostering partnerships that will enhance the healthcare ecosystem,” he said.
Speaking with Pharmanews in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the event, eminent pharmacist and Secretary of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), Prof. Lere Baale, commended NAFDAC for setting the standards for quality products in the industry and helping to deepen the cause of local manufacturing. He said such commitment not only boosts national economic development but also improves availability and affordability of quality medicines.
While lauding Artemis Laboratories for constructing the facility, Baale averred that if local pharmaceutical manufacturing is encouraged, Nigeria stands to gain by being the pharmaceutical hub of Africa through exportation of quality pharmaceutical products to other African countries.
The NAPharm secretary appealed to the government to provide the enabling environment for pharmaceutical companies through the provisions of good infrastructure, duty waivers and other incentives that will help boost productivity in the sector.
Artemis Laboratories Limited, formally known as Sewell Pharmaceuticals Limited, has presence in over 11 countries in Africa.
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