The Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria has urged the federal government to ensure local production of most drugs to reduce the prices of drugs.

The association’s president, Taiwo Obindo, made the call in an interview Thursday in Lagos.

Mr Obindo, also a Consultant Psychiatrist, said local production of drugs would not only crash the price regime but also make them readily available.

He lamented that many people who needed medical services could not access or afford such services due to the high cost.

The psychiatrist added that the drugs are expensive because the majority of them are imported.

According to him, if the drugs are produced locally, at least the cost of production will be minimal, leading to a simultaneous reduction in the cost.

He said, “Presently, the cost of healthcare is generally high, and people who need the services cannot afford medication. Considering the high exchange rate, the majority of the drugs are largely imported, and most of the foreign companies producing them are even leaving the country.

“So many Nigerians today, particularly in the rural areas, have gone to their early graves due to inability to afford the medical bills. If we can produce the drugs locally here, the cost will reduce.”

Mr Obindo, who decried that most foreign companies are leaving the country, advised that Nigeria should see it as an opportunity to develop and grow its local pharmaceutical production capacity.

He advised the government to grant waivers to existing pharmaceutical companies to encourage their stay in business. He also urged the government to intensify efforts to subsidise the cost of drugs in the country.

“Government can seize the opportunity to look inwards and establish more local pharmaceutical companies, providing an enabling environment for existing ones to thrive.

“This, I believe, will go a long way to reduce the cost of drugs, make them readily available and even encourage medical tourism into the country,” Mr Obindo said.

(NAN)