The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has commended President Bola Tinubu for recently signing an Executive Order to transform the country’s health sector.

The commendation is contained in a statement by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to journalist newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

Mrs Adeyeye stated that the reform and transformation agenda to make NAFDAC a well-functioning, strong and stable regulatory organisation started when she assumed office six years ago.

She added that the effort she put into transforming NAFDAC had started paying off, “part of which is what paved the way to signing of the Executive Order to make Nigeria manufacture its own drugs.”

The Executive Order, she said, included several measures such as Zero Tariff and Excise Duties which exempts specified pharmaceutical machinery, equipment, goods and accessories, as well as reduce production costs and make healthcare products affordable.

She noted that “The Executive Order also gives special waivers on pharmaceutical inputs like Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and other essential raw materials, including those for Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Rapid Diagnostic kits.”

She added that these products would benefit from zero tariff, excise duties and Value Added Tax as well as low prices of essential medicines and medical supplies.

Mrs Adeyeye explained that the Executive Order would also shape and establish framework contracts and volume to guarantee and stabilise local manufacturing of medical products.

According to her, it will also help in regulatory harmonisation, expedient approvals, develop harmonised implementation framework to guide regulatory agencies in streamlining approval processes.

She stated that the order would help in implementation and compliance, where agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Federal Inland Revenue Services would ensure swift implementation.

Mrs Adeyeye said, “The waivers and exemptions are valid for two years. The order is vital to the success of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and will encourage local manufacturing, create jobs, stimulate economic growth and reduce dependence on imports.

“It will ensure reliable supply of essential healthcare products, enhance quality and innovation, strengthen the health system by addressing underinvestment and regulatory challenges. The Executive Order will improve service delivery and health outcomes, and enhance resilience to future health crises.”

The NAFDAC boss noted that the President’s Executive Order underscores the administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s health sector.

According to her, the Executive Order aligns with the broader objectives of the NHSRII and the Presidential Initiative on Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) approved in October 2023.

She emphasised that by addressing core challenges and providing a clear path for improvement, the Executive Order would set the stage for a sustainable and high-quality healthcare system for Nigerians.

(NAN)