Nigeria to Reduce Drug Imports with GMP Training

The Federal Government has launched a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training programme aimed at strengthening local capacity for the production of high-quality cardiovascular drugs. The training was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, PVAC, in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives and the University of Abuja Cardiovascular Research Centre.

The training is focused on preparing Nigerian manufacturers to meet international GMP standards, with a special emphasis on cardiovascular medicines, essential for managing hypertension and heart disease, which remain among the leading causes of death in the country. Fatima Gawuna, Ecosystem Enablement Analyst at PVAC, described the training as a strategic move to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce the nation’s reliance on imported medicines, which currently account for over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s drug supply.

“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,” Gawuna said. The initiative was also supported by Quamed, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Foundation, and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN). Dr Kufor Osi, Senior Technical Advisor for Hypertension Control at Resolve to Save Lives, said the training is crucial in tackling Nigeria’s hypertension crisis, with only 12 per cent of an estimated 30 million hypertensive Nigerians currently having their blood pressure under control. “We are working to ensure that cardiovascular drugs produced in Nigeria are not only available but of the highest quality,” Osi stated, adding that increased local production would also help drive down costs and improve treatment access.

The training covered key areas, including quality control, regulatory compliance, Good Laboratory Practices, risk management, and cleanroom operations—all essential for achieving GMP certification.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Talatu Yahaya Kassim stated that the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for domestic pharmaceutical production, including policy support and incentives such as waivers on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). “Our goal is to reduce reliance on imports and empower local manufacturers to meet both domestic and export demands,” she noted.