NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Monday, October 27, 2014

The Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification given to three local drug firms by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has put the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry in the global eye.

The WHO had, after audits and inspections by its pre-qualification team on October 15, certified Evans Pharmaceutical Limited, May & Baker Pharmaceutical Limited and Chi Pharmaceutical Limited to produce international drugs locally. The three drug makers now join Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, which had earlier obtained the certification, thus putting the number of local pharma firms with the WHO GMP to four.

The WHO GMP certification enables drug firms to produce international drugs and compete in the global pharmaceutical space. It also allows them participate in international drug supply bidding exercises sponsored by global development institutions.

One key challenge the certification brings is that it puts the Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry in world’s watch. Analysts say the world will henceforth have high expectations from the Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, particularly drugs moving out of the country.