In a landmark partnership that will expand access to essential medicines in Nigeria and West Africa, Swiss Pharma (Swipha) Nigeria, has secured a huge sum of $2.3 million commitment from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the procurement of 4.8 million doses of life-saving malaria tablets.
This was disclosed through a statement from USAID, made available to Pharmanewsonline .
Recall that USAID Nigeria executives recently visited Swipha over its historic feat on the attainment of World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification for its product, Sulfadoxine plus Pyrimethamine (SP) 500/25mg tablet, and pledged to patronise Swipha on the product.
Pharmanewsonline reports that USAID’s commitment to Swipha for the procurement of 4.8 million doses of life-saving malaria tablets, is in fulfilment of its promise to the pharma giant.
The project, to be facilitated through the U.S. Government’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), underscores the United States’ dedication to advancing Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring life-saving treatments to reach vulnerable communities.
For years, Nigeria has faced significant challenges in procuring affordable, high-quality medicines due to the high cost of production and the inability of many local pharmaceutical companies to meet international quality standards.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), fewer than 10 percent of medicines manufactured in sub-Saharan Africa meet global standards, limiting local companies’ ability to supply essential drugs and meet healthcare needs. These barriers have particularly affected access to medicines for malaria and child health, as local production has often fallen short of both quality and quantity requirements.
In response, USAID’s Promoting the Quality of Medicine Plus (PQM+) programme, implemented by U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), partnered with Swipha in their efforts to attain World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) tablets, a vital medicine for malaria prevention during pregnancy.
Swipha is now the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria and in West Africa to achieve this WHO certification, marking a critical step forward for the region’s pharmaceutical capacity.
According to Swipha Managing Director Frederic Lieutaud, “USAID’s support was pivotal in helping us reach this milestone. The WHO prequalification not only validates our commitment to producing high-quality medicines but also enhances our capacity to scale production and serve both local and international markets with trusted, essential medicines.”
He noted that with the WHO prequalification, Swipha is well-positioned to expand its reach, supplying these essential medicines to international donors and procurement agencies, ultimately strengthening healthcare delivery across Nigeria and the broader West African region. This achievement also represents a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare system by enhancing local manufacturing capacity and contributing to public health efforts to combat preventable diseases.
During her visit to Swipha’s facility in Lagos, USAID Mission Director to Nigeria, Melissa Jones, remarked, “This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration in improving healthcare in Nigeria. We are proud to have supported Swipha in reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure more quality medicines reach those who need them most. Together, we are building a healthier future for Nigeria.”
 Nigeria, has secured a huge sum of $2.3 million commitment from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID){kind=link}