DCL Laboratory Products Limited on Friday commended Nigeria’s medical regulatory bodies for improving health sector standards, reducing substandard products, and enforcing regulations.

General Manager and Chairman of the laboratory firm, Dr Okechukwu Anyanwu, made the commendation during the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebration in Abuja.

He praised the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Medical and Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLCN), saying all regulatory bodies have done a great job in improving standards in the health sector.

Mr Anyanwu said that before the arrival of regulators, there were many irregularities in manufacturing and sales of medical items.

“We are not just celebrating 20 years of our laboratory, we are also celebrating 20 years of improvement in diagnosis in Nigeria. Before we came into the market, you would go into markets in Lagos or Onitsha and see laboratory products stored improperly. Lab reagents that should be kept at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius were placed on open shelves for sale. They cared only about profit.

“But today, the story is different. People now know where to get quality products. Lab reagents need proper storage; otherwise, test results will be unreliable. The patient is always at the receiving end, and misleading results can endanger lives.”

He said such irregularities ultimately affect the health of the population and commended regulatory bodies for the policy measures embedded in the system.

Mr Anyanwu also urged the government to review import duties on medical products to make them more affordable for manufacturers and dealers.

He commended government efforts to encourage local pharmaceutical production and provide an enabling environment, describing the policies as being “in the right direction.”

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, also commended DCL Laboratory for supporting the development of the health sector and making quality products available.

Represented by Okpikpi Okpako, Director, Federal Medical Centre with the ministry, Mr Salako noted that the government cannot develop the health sector alone and welcomed the contributions of private-sector partners.

“All that DCL Laboratory Limited has contributed to the health sector in terms of quality products is a welcome development. We call on other private-sector companies to emulate what DCL is doing.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health, can only wish them well and encourage them to keep the fire burning,” he said. (NAN)