FG Targets 200 Pharma Firms, Intensifies War Against Counterfeit Drugs
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has intensified investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulatory enforcement, targeting support for more than 200 pharmaceutical companies while strengthening the fight against counterfeit, substandard and falsified medicines in Nigeria.
The development was contained in a press release issued by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, following presentations by the Presidential Initiative for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry (PVAC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at the 2026 Joint Annual Review.
The National Coordinator of PVAC, Dr. Mukhtar Abdul, said government interventions were yielding significant results in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial expansion and regional collaboration, while improving access to affordable financing for players in the healthcare value chain.
He disclosed that the initiative had introduced the Bridge to Scale financing mechanism, a donor-supported programme designed to reduce borrowing costs and provide pharmaceutical manufacturers with access to affordable funding.
Abdul also said Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing model was attracting interest from other African countries seeking to establish similar structures.
“The initiative is also supporting cross-border investment and partnerships, including efforts to facilitate the establishment of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in other African countries, with the involvement of Nigerian manufacturers and regulatory institutions,” he said.
Among the achievements recorded, Abdul highlighted the commencement of local production of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, establishment of diagnostic product packaging and manufacturing facilities, expansion of medical oxygen production capacity and investments in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
He further disclosed that a major pharmaceutical company was preparing to establish an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing plant, expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2027.
The development, he said, would represent a significant milestone for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa by strengthening local capacity to produce critical inputs for medicines.
Abdul reaffirmed PVAC’s commitment to supporting more than 200 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and improving financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in the healthcare sector.
He added that the proposed Life Care Fund would provide an additional financing avenue for businesses, while collaboration with regulators and industry partners would support Nigeria’s ambition to attain higher World Health Organisation (WHO) regulatory maturity status and advance local vaccine manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, reported significant progress in regulatory enforcement and the agency’s campaign against counterfeit, substandard and falsified medicines and other regulated products.
Represented by Mr. Salihu Bello, Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC conducted 5,532 enforcement activities during the period under review, including 213 raids, 211 sanctions and 52 arrests.
The agency also seized 821 products, closed 179 premises and destroyed counterfeit and expired products valued at ₦22.73 billion through 22 destruction exercises.
NAFDAC further highlighted Nigeria’s growing role in international pharmaceutical regulation, noting that the country had attained full membership of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, becoming its 24th member.
Nigeria also became the 31st African Union Member State to ratify and deposit its instrument of ratification for the African Medicines Agency agreement, a development expected to strengthen continental regulatory cooperation.
The agency identified the attainment of WHO Maturity Level 4 and WHO Listed Authority status, strengthened enforcement, expanded digital product traceability, improved stakeholder engagement and deeper international regulatory cooperation as key priorities for 2027.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reiterated the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, development partners and other stakeholders to build a resilient pharmaceutical industry capable of guaranteeing Nigerians access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medical products.
