Head of Sales, Marketing and Vaccines, Zolon Healthcare Limited, a branch of Emzor Pharmaceutical Company, Chukwu Ekwe, has declared that Nigeria could produce vaccines that would meet global standards with the right environment and government support.
Ekwe stated this yesterday during the working visit of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria to Emzor Ultra Modern WHO-compliant pharmaceutical factory in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Ekwe said: “Emzor vaccine is a vision. Currently, we are importing vaccines from outside the shores of Nigeria. So, the long-term vision is that we will start manufacturing vaccines on this site. We are currently working on this to be sited on a 60-hectare site and we intend to ensure the vaccine is manufactured here. So, with the support of the government and enabling environment, we will be able to manufacture vaccines in Nigeria. We have started working with partners from other countries in technology transfer to make this happen.”
He added: “We are following the trend of things; we are aware of the environment and for the fact that we are playing in the vaccine field, it’s a sure sign that we are prepared for any future occurrence like COVID-19 pandemic.”
Speaking on the role of pharmacists in the healthcare system in Nigeria, Chairman of ACPN, Dr. Samuel Adekola, said: “Today, pharmacy is an evolving career, but right now we are struggling when compared to our colleagues in other climes because their society has significantly developed and evolved. So, we are hoping that that will also happen in Nigeria.
“We want the Nigerian government to appreciate the roles of community pharmacy in primary healthcare, which is the bedrock of the health sector.
“It’s not as if the government does not know that over 60 per cent of consumers of healthcare prefer to access their health at the community pharmacy level rather than going to the hospital. So, the government must appreciate this and place a premium on it.”