High cost of drugs: ASPHDA executive secretary asks FG to encourage research into local medicines

Chisom Uchem, executive secretary of the Anambra Primary Health Agency (ASPHDA), has urged the federal government to promote research into local medicines that will be affordable to Nigerians.

Uchem spoke on Tuesday at a webinar, “Addressing the escalating costs of medicines”, organised by TheCable to mark its 10th anniversary.

She noted that an investment in clinical research of local herbs would “cut the high cost of medication in Nigeria”.

She added that the federal government should also mandate the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) to play a leading role in that endeavour for the country to have local products.

“I’m not looking at reducing some costs. I’m looking at policies of the government that will promote research enterprise,” the ASPHDA executive secretary said.

“I’m thinking that if the government will encourage clinical research, especially essential drugs will be affordable to the grassroots because this is the basic level of care.

“So, we can have our local brand, our local products, you know. When we have our local brand, it will cut down on the prices of essential medicine.

“So, I’m thinking that amongst other things that we’ll do to cut the high cost of medication in Nigeria is that emphasis and premium should be paid on government supporting and promoting research enterprise.

“So, I think people come to our facilities, and they say to us, ‘my sister said that if I’m having pains, I should go boil plantain leaves and drink’.

“They said it worked for them. Others even said Dongoyaro, Mango leaves, they would boil them and drink, and are cured and I’m now thinking that it’s time the government will look right inside to strengthen and encourage research.

“All of these lemon grasses, all of the guava leaves, all of the quinine, you know, this quinine, most of them are anti-malaria.

“So, why can we not encourage our people to go into research, to know the constituents, all of those, you know, active ingredients that will make somebody take herbs, and the person will fully recover?

“The government can give incentives to researchers, those who want to go into clinical research. We also will look at licensing for imports.

“So, we need to have regulation for our prescription products. We’re also going to need to intensify the unwholesome sale of products.

“If we have our local brands, it will cut down the cost of medicines. Prices of medication have so skyrocketed that people think NAFDAC is no longer there to safeguard them.

“So I’m thinking that among other things that we need to do to cut the prices of medication in Nigeria, emphasis should be placed on supporting and promoting research enterprise.”