By Damiete Braide
In a significant step toward building a resilient, self-sustaining pharmaceutical sector, Resolve to Save Lives in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) hosted a comprehensive three-day Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Preparedness Training for cardiovascular medicine manufacturers.
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The three-day training took place at the Colossus Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, marked a strategic collaboration between government and private-sector partners dedicated to raising pharmaceutical manufacturing standards across Nigeria.
Organised in partnership with Quamed, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Foundation, and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), the training aimed to strengthen local manufacturers’ capacity to comply with international GMP standards.
This initiative directly aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to localize drug production, reduce dependence on imports, and improve access to safe, affordable, and high-quality medicines, especially for non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular illnesses.
Fatima Gawuna, Ecosystem Enablement Analyst at PVAC, described the training as a timely and strategic intervention for Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem. She emphasized that strengthening quality control and laboratory practices is critical to producing medicines that meet both local and global regulatory standards.
“The GMP preparedness training is a vital step toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system,” Gawuna noted. “By equipping local manufacturers with the knowledge and tools needed to meet international standards, we are not only improving treatment outcomes for patients with cardiovascular diseases, but also building public trust in Nigerian-made medicines. This training reflects PVAC’s core mandate, to drive local manufacturing, promote self-reliance, and improve healthcare access.”
She added that for a country that still imports over 70% of its pharmaceutical products, boosting local manufacturing capacity is no longer optional. “When we empower local manufacturers, we open the door to more affordable treatments, job creation, and the possibility of Nigeria becoming a major player in the African and global pharmaceutical markets. This training offers a platform for collaboration, open dialogue, and a collective commitment to quality,” she stated.
The training was not only technical but also strategic, touching on quality control systems, regulatory compliance, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and the practical steps manufacturers must take to upgrade their operations to meet certification standards. It was tailored specifically for cardiovascular drug production, given the critical role these medicines play in managing heart disease, one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria and globally.
Dr. Kufor Osi, Senior Technical Advisor for Hypertension Control at Resolve to Save Lives, provided a sobering insight into the urgency of the initiative. “Globally, hypertension is the leading cause of mortality. In Nigeria, an estimated 30 million people, roughly one in every three adults, live with hypertension. Yet, only 12% of them have their blood pressure under control,” he revealed.
This means that 88% of hypertensive Nigerians are either undiagnosed, undertreated, or lack consistent access to quality care and medication. Dr. Osi pointed out that while significant strides have been made since Resolve to Save Lives began working with the Nigerian government in 2020 to build a national hypertension treatment program, challenges remain, particularly around access and affordability of medicines.
“We’ve set up treatment programmes at primary healthcare centers across the country. But access to medications is still a huge challenge. Many of these medicines are expensive, and concerns remain around the quality of some of the products available in the market,” he explained. “That’s why this training is so important. We are working to ensure that cardiovascular drugs produced in Nigeria are not only available but of the highest quality.”
He emphasized the long-term vision: a sustainable, local supply chain for cardiovascular drugs that meets global standards and is affordable to the average Nigerian. “Once we improve local capacity and quality, we can reduce costs, enhance treatment coverage, and ultimately save lives.”
Beyond training, Dr. Osi also offered counsel to Nigerians battling hypertension. He urged citizens to take regular blood pressure checks seriously, noting that many people live with high blood pressure unknowingly.
“Hypertension is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it presents no symptoms. You may feel fine but still have dangerously high blood pressure,” he warned. “Nigerians should visit health facilities regularly to check their blood pressure. And if diagnosed, they should follow their doctor’s advice, take medications consistently, and adopt healthier lifestyles, such as reducing salt intake, exercising, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption.”
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Talatu Yahaya Kassim, a representative from the Directorate of Food and Drug Services, underscored the importance of policy-driven support for local manufacturers. She said the ministry continues to provide strategic guidance to ensure Nigeria’s pharmaceutical products meet quality, safety, and efficacy standards.
“Quality assurance is critical in achieving universal health coverage and positive health outcomes,” Kassim said. “We are excited about this kind of collaboration. It reinforces our belief that through shared knowledge and government support, Nigeria can produce and distribute safe, effective medicines at scale.”
She further mentioned that the government is actively providing incentives to support local manufacturers. “The current administration has made it a priority to support domestic production. This includes waivers for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and creating an enabling environment for manufacturers to thrive. Our goal is to reduce reliance on imports and empower local manufacturers to meet both local and export demands.”
According to Munir Elelu, Director and Team Lead at PSN Foundation, the onus is on every health stakeholder, individual or organizational, to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. “We must ensure that every product manufactured in Nigeria is of pharmaceutical-grade quality. Anything short of that poses enormous risk to public health,” he stated.
Elelu reminded participants that healthcare begins with the quality of medicines produced. “If there are no quality medicines, there is no healthcare system. The danger of substandard or poorly certified products cannot be overstated. That’s why this training is not just necessary, it is essential. We’re laying the foundation for a healthier population.”
He praised the training’s focus on cardiovascular medicines, noting that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are fast becoming Nigeria’s greatest health burden. “When you improve the quality of heart medications, you improve lives. That’s why we are fully behind this training. A healthy nation, after all, is a wealthy nation.”
Throughout the three days, participants, comprising pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulators, policymakers, and technical experts, engaged in interactive sessions, case studies, and knowledge-sharing workshops. Practical modules focused on documentation, cleanroom practices, validation processes, risk management, deviation handling, and post-marketing surveillance, all tailored to local realities but grounded in global best practices.
The event also served as a networking hub for partnerships between public and private entities aimed at ensuring medicine security and quality assurance in Nigeria’s health sector.
As the training concluded, there was a renewed sense of purpose. Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to continuous improvement, capacity building, and the establishment of a robust, quality-assured supply chain for cardiovascular medicines.
This landmark initiative signifies not only a step toward self-sufficiency in medicine production but also a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready to take ownership of its health outcomes. With continued collaboration, policy backing, and technical expertise, the vision of accessible, affordable, and high-quality locally produced medicines is well within reach.
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