Nigerian trade groups call on government for more pharma R&D

Speaking at the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria annual meeting in Lagos, president of the trade group, Bunmi Olaopa, called on the federal government to invest more in R&D and at the same time stating that mergers and acquisition is the way forward in growing the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Africa, reports the AllAfrica news service.

Mr Olaopa, identified concerted effort as one of the most effective options towards molding pharmaceutical firms in Africa to stand firm in the global environment and thrive successfully. He also expressed displeasure at the fact that only four African manufacturers were listed by the World Health Organization’s pre-qualification program, with none coming from the West African sub-region.

Failing to keep pace with global trends