Tandem Pharmaceuticals is the sole distributor of Vitabiotics’ products in Nigeria. In line with its commitment to fostering wellness and good health through exercise, Vitabiotics recently organised an outdoor fitness programme, tagged “Walk for Life.” The event, which took place in Lekki, Lagos, attracted participants from different walks of life. In this exclusive interview with Patrick Iwelunmor, the CEO of Tandem Pharmaceuticals, Pharm. Okey Okonkwo emphasises the need for Nigerians to prioritise exercise as a gateway to sound health. He also sheds light on what Nigerians should expect from Vitabiotics in the nearest future. Excerpts:
What was Vitabiotics trying to achieve with this?
Vitabiotics is a company that is interested in the health and wellbeing of Nigerians. We prioritise anything that helps Nigerians attain good health and this was the reason we organised the “Walk for Life” event. It was designed to inspire people to place serious premium on their health by engaging in physical activity.
It is sad that people shy away from exercise, preferring a sedentary lifestyle that does not augur well for them health-wise. The sedentary lifestyle is a window to all sorts of diseases. So, Vitabiotics is committed to putting an end to such a lifestyle through programmes like this which also serve as a kind of awareness and motivation for Nigerians to embrace exercise as a normal routine for healthy living.
This is just the beginning. Vitabiotics will be unveiling four events that will help Nigerians keep themselves in shape and in good health. “Walk for Life” is just one of such programmes.
How often to you intend to hold such events?
“Walk for Life” is likely to be an annual event but we also plan to spread it to different locations. There is also the possibility that it could hold more than once in a year. This depends on several factors. Interestingly, this event is powered by two of our very vibrant brands – Wellman and Wellwoman.
While promoting wellness and good health, don’t you think the high cost of these two products – Wellman and Wellwoman – may discourage the average Nigerian from accessing them?
Premium quality attract premium prices, unless the customer wants something of a lesser value. In our quest for wellness, we must always endeavour to go for the best.
You will also agree with me that some of the food items we have in Nigeria today, like yams, are even more expensive than these premium products that offer premium benefits. Good health will always come at a cost, especially with the foreign exchange issues we are grappling with in the country.
Wellman and Wellwoman were not that expensive in the recent past but in a situation where our naira keeps depreciating against the dollar, there is no way it would not reflect in the prices of imported pharmaceuticals and other medicines. Anybody who has value for his or her life should consider using these two products.
How would you rate the impact of Vitabiotics in terms of providing quality and affordable medicines to Nigerians?
Vitabiotics is a great company that has continued to win many awards in the United Kingdom, in terms of the quality of well-researched pharmaceutical products that they produce. It is the number one multivitamin company that has made its mark in many countries of the world. We have received three awards of excellence from the Queen of England.
Vitabiotics is very committed to the provision of quality medicines. We are also very particular about post-production handling processes, such as storage, to ensure that the quality and potency of our products are sustained. Form raw materials to finished products, we are very careful and this is to ensure the best quality assurance and control standards. We offer the best and would never overload you with what you don’t need.
What has become of your annual scientific conference?
The annual scientific conference has been going on smoothly. Last year, we had it in Lagos and Abuja and it was very successful and well-attended. For this year, we are still trying to stabilise due to the economic climate in the country. We shall take a decision soon on the way forward.
How would you rate the state of local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria?
The Nigerian local pharma manufacturers are doing the best they can do, going by the prevailing circumstances in the country right now. When you don’t have power and other basic things required for local production, you wouldn’t be able to achieve much. You surely can’t give what you don’t have. It is based on these premise that I think they have done the best they can do with the current realities on ground.
What do we expect from Vitabiotics in the nearest future?
In terms of innovation, Vitabiotics is working hard to continue producing cutting-edge products that will serve the best interest of the people. We are waxing stronger by the day and have continued to provide employment opportunities and livelihoods for people all over the world. We are also making families more comfortable with our range of wellness products. I am sure that in the nearest future, we shall get involved in local manufacturing to boost the output of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical market. It may be on contract basis but I do know for sure that local manufacturing is in the offing for us.
For the sake of clarification, what is the relationship between Tandem Pharma and Vitabiotics?
Tandem is a brand partner to Vitabiotics. I serve as the CEO but I do not know if I am qualified to be addressed as the managing director.
Any advice for Nigerians?
The advice is that we should make our environment conducive for investments. Big companies are leaving the country and this does not portend any good to the economy. We are a rich country, yet our wealth as a nation is not evenly distributed. Cost of governance is very outrageous and nobody is taking about that. While labour is fighting for a living wage, government officials are receiving humongous sums as salaries and allowances and nothing is being done to address the glaring and embarrassing disparities in these remuneration patterns.
We must make this country conducive for business. Our best brains, especially those in the youthful populations, are leaving in droves because they no longer feel economically secure or protected in a country blessed with oil and other innumerable mineral resources.
Those in government should have mercy on the Nigerian people reduce the cost of governance. It is only in Nigeria that people go into government to make money. In other climes, it is purely for service to humanity. Governance should not be seen as a money-spinning career. Unless we change this mindset, the country will continue to struggle. Our leaders should be people who are ready to create employment opportunities and not those who come to embezzle our money.
