Former PSN President Urges President Tinubu to Appoint Special Adviser on Pharmaceuticals to Address Sector Challenges

Pharm. U. N. O Uwaga, the former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a Special Adviser on Pharmaceuticals to address the pressing challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector in Nigeria.

He made this appeal during the plenary session of the Annual National Conference of the PSN, taking place at the International Conference Centre in Gombe State, North-East region.

Uwaga’s call stems from the numerous issues plaguing the pharmaceutical industry, which he believes hinder the achievement of medicine security in the country. He emphasized the critical importance of medicine security, likening it to food security, and emphasized that Nigeria must genuinely pursue it. To this end, he urged President Tinubu to take action.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated challenges have underscored the urgency of enhancing self-reliance in drug production and achieving medicine security in Nigeria. Uwaga stressed the need for Nigeria to pursue drug security with the same vigor as food security.

He stated, “There is a need to pursue drug security just as we are pursuing food security. We need someone in the presidency who will have the president’s ear and then discuss issues revolving around the development of the pharmaceutical industry. The president should appoint a special adviser on pharmaceuticals.”

Several challenges confront the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria, demanding immediate intervention from the President. Among the key issues identified by industry stakeholders are foreign exchange scarcity, inadequate capital for executing capital projects, and high-interest rates.

Additionally, the sector grapples with challenges such as unreliable electricity supply, multiple taxation, and a lack of government patronage. Uwaga’s call serves as a reminder of the critical role the pharmaceutical sector plays in ensuring healthcare access, particularly during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appointing a Special Adviser on Pharmaceuticals could help address these challenges and advance the sector’s growth and development, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare delivery and medicine security in Nigeria.