Drugs industry - Bradford Pharmaceuticals Limited has pleaded with the federal government to set aside special funds for drugs manufacturers in Nigeria to expand their operations.
Pharmacist Anthony C. Obi, of Bradford told our correspondent at the sidelines of the media launch of Bradford range of drugs in Lagos that, unless Nigeria's pharmaceutical companies are supported financially, they can't compete with global companies.
'Finance remains our major challenges. We are hoping that the Bank of Industry and SMEDAN will encourage us with finance,' he said.
According to him, 'the pharmaceutical industry need a bailout because they are vital . It provides for the health of the people. Government should do everything to make sure it stands.'
The drugs launched include, Bradmol Syrup, a brand of paracetamol syrup, Bradcuff Expectorant, a brand of cough mixture, Bradferex Blood Tonic, a brand of blood tonic containing iron, vitamin B complex and folic acid and Braferon Blood Tonic and a brand of blood tonic.
He said the drugs are developed and manufactured 100 percent in Nigeria.
'The products are formulated with care, safety and effectiveness in mind. We focus on over the counter drugs (OTC). We want to provide affordable medicines to Nigerians. We are making all the medicines here in Nigeria. This will encourage industrialization and create jobs for unemployed Nigerians,' he noted.
'The process also encourages the utilisation of local raw materials. In drugs manufacturing, part from the active ingredients, there are other ingredients you would use. - etanol, sugar, purified water, flavours etc. and they are the bulk of the drug yet all these are sourced locally. Thus our operations will encourage local utilisation of local raw materials,' he said.
By Chris Agabi
Daily Trust/05/02/2013