The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for greater synergy between Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and universities to foster the development of new medicines and vaccines.

NAFDAC’s director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in a statement issued by the agency’s media consultant, Olusayo Akintola, in Abuja on Sunday.

She emphasised the message during the 38th edition of the Prof. Victor Olufemi Marquis Memorial Lecture, organised by the Faculty of Pharmacy at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Mrs Adeyeye stressed that collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry was crucial for reducing Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported medical products.

She applauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent ban on importing readily available products as a step toward boosting local industry growth.

She further urged universities to partner with the pharmaceutical sector in research and development, noting that such collaborations would help address specific healthcare needs.

Mrs Adeyeye also pointed out that universities were well-positioned to contribute by developing skills, transferring knowledge, and fostering innovation.

The partnership, she said, would stimulate the local economy, reduce unemployment, and increase the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In addition, Mrs Adeyeye discussed NAFDAC’s “Five Plus Five” Regulatory Directive, which mandated that imported pharmaceutical products, which were also locally produced, must be manufactured locally after five years of importation.

“This initiative has contributed to the growth of the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, with 30 per cent of new or revitalised local manufacturing companies resulting from it.”

She emphasised the importance of local innovation in achieving self-sufficiency in healthcare, especially following lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and global business changes.

“NAFDAC plans to initiate a pilot R&D collaboration programme involving Nigerian universities and pharmaceutical manufacturers to further enhance local production and research capabilities.”

(NAN)