By Yusuf Olukokun
President Bola Tinubu has signed an executive order, purposefully to boost the local production of healthcare products (syringe, pharmaceuticals, medical textiles among others).
This has been aptly assented according to the statement released by Ali Pate, the minister of health and social welfare on Friday, June 28 2024.
The new order is expected to be perfected by the ninistry of justice, headed by Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation.
However, the order was said to be a key instrument which would help with the transformation of the initiative for unlocking health care value chain.
Ali Pate also stated that the order would surely introduce a zero tariffs and excise duties on raw materials needed for production of those healthcare tools.
According to the statement, “Specified items include Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, other essential raw materials required for manufacturing of crucial health products like drugs, syringes and needles, Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Rapid Diagnostic Kits, among others.
“The Order also provides for establishing market shaping mechanisms such as framework contracts and volume guarantees, to encourage local manufacturers.
“The Order mandates collaboration between the Ministers of Health, Finance, and Industry, Trade and Investment to develop a Harmonized Implementation Framework, expediting regulatory approvals and reducing bottlenecks. Agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will ensure swift implementation, with special waivers and exemptions effective for two years.”
The Minister said the implications of the order are numerous, as it would boost the medical industrialisation in Nigeria, thereby creating values and employment opportunities too.
Ali thanked President Tinubu for his sincere courage to ensure Nigeria becomes a country of prosperity.