Chijioke Iremeka One year ago, precisely on May 29, 2023 , Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s democratically elected president, and with him taking over the reins of power, stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector were optimistic that things would turn around for good. However, reflecting on President Tinubu’s first anniversary in office, members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria said his administration is not getting it right in addressing key issues in the pharmaceutical sector. According to them, among many factors, Tinubu’s appointments of non-pharmaceutical professionals is causing more harm to the health sector.
They emphasised the importance of appropriate appointments to propel the sector forward and urged the President to take deliberate actions to bolster the industry by ensuring that the sector reaches its full potential to contribute significantly to the well-being of the populace and the economy. Pharmacists and local drug manufacturers, who spoke with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews said that health funding is still a major challenge in Nigeria and urged the president to reduce the cost of diesel, fuel, and electricity to make locally manufactured drugs available and affordable to the poor. The immediate past President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo said health funding in Nig.
