FCCPC Summons MAN, PSN, NAFDAC, Others Over Hgh Price Of Diabetes, BP Drugs

… ACPN Laments Poor Implementation Of Zero Duty On Drugs

The surge in the cost of critical drugs for treatment and managing BP and diabetes has led to an investigation by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) aimed at cutting the cost of drugs.

This was revealed on Wednesday during the inquiry into the cost and variation of drug prices organized by the FCCPC.

The inquiry was attended by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is a Nigerian (NFDAC), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) among others.

Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry went into panic, resulting from foreign exchange reforms, the high cost of power, and the high cost of input, leading to the exit of some companies while others changed their models.

The development, which began in 2023 put pressure on the country’s healthcare sector.

In pursuant to its mandate, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello said the commission is empowered by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act 2018 to promote fair business and consumer interests.

He expressed worries that patients have made several complaints regarding the variation in cost of drugs.

The FCCPC boss said, “The Commission has received consumer complaints regarding the variation and high costs of drugs in Nigerian Markets and this inquiry is aimed to identify factors contributing to disparities in healthcare accessibility and affordability, particularly regarding drug pricing.

“We believe this is crucial to ensuring Nigerians have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.”

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) left Nigeria in August 2023, ending its 51 years in the country. GSK cited operational difficulties as the reason for the exit.

GSK manufactures a number of drugs that treat high blood pressure, including Benitec IP 40 Mg Olmesartan Medoxomil Tablets.

For diabetes GSk products include, Avandia (rosiglitazone), Tanzeum (albiglutide), Byetta (exenatide); for Hypertension, the pharmaceutical company manufactures: Coreg (carvedilol), Avapro (irbesartan), Tekturna/Rasilez (aliskiren).

Some of GSK also manufactures Advair, Anoro Ellipta and Arnuity Ellipta for asthma.

It also manufactures Augmentin, an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.

French pharmaceutical manufacturing company, Sanofi, left Nigeria in November 2023.

The company transitioned to a third-party model, with a local company supplying and marketing its medicines and vaccines.

Their exit and change of model have put pressure on patients who now spend more than 100 per cent more than the usual amount spent on the same drugs.

The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ibrahim Tanko, represented by FCT Chairman of PSN, Salamatu Orakwelu told the FCCPC that the variation in the cost of drugs covered under NHIAA has become worrisome.

The president said the PSN has ramped up efforts to ensure a sustainable pharmaceutical supply chain.

According to the PSN boss, the government has a critical role in supporting the industry.

“The PSN stands ready to support initiatives that promote price stability, enhance drug accessibility and strengthen the NHIAA for the benefit of all Nigerians,” said Tanko.

The National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Eze Ambrose Igwekamma in his remark lamented setbacks faced by pharmaceutical companies.

He said 70 per cent of drugs consumed in Nigeria are imported, adding that drugs cost will be difficult to fall due to low local production.

Ambrose said, “Whenever we are talking about drugs, we should also emphasise healthcare services. We can’t just talk about the cost of drugs without considering general healthcare.

“It is when we consider all these that the safety of patients will be assured.”

On the zero duty on pharmaceutical products, the ACPN boss said the implementation has been ineffective.

He said, “When you hear about zero import duty, the question is if it has been implemented… for now, I don’t think it has been implemented.

“Also, before the pronouncement, some companies imported products for which they paid duties. Manufacturers will first consider their costs before anything else.”

FCCPC Summons MAN, PSN, NAFDAC, Others Over Hgh Price Of Diabetes, BP Drugs is first published on The Whistler Newspaper