NAFDAC urged to reduce cost of GMP certificates

Healthcare Equipment and Allied Equipment Products Providers of Nigeria has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to reduce the cost of Good Manufacturing Practice certificates for medical devices.

HEPAN also lauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the executive order to increase local production of medical and other healthcare products.

Recall that in June, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced that President Tinubu had signed an executive order to increase local production of healthcare products, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, devices such as needles and syringes, biologicals, medical textiles, and more.

Pate said the order is pivotal to the success of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, which was approved in October 2023 by the President.

He explained that the order introduces zero tariffs, excise duties, and Value Added Tax on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials, aiming to reduce production costs and enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers.

In a statement on Friday, HEPAN said the order would help curtail the rising cost of medical services in the country, particularly at a time when Nigerians’ disposable incomes are constrained by record-high inflation rates.

The National President of HEPAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwankwo, said, “The implication of this order by President Tinubu would go a long way in greatly reducing the cost of medical services for everyday Nigerians while also creating more jobs for our unemployed youths.

“The association also expresses its sincere gratitude to the Honorable Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate, for expediting the signing of the decree.”

Additionally, the Board Chairman of HEPAN, Mustapha Falaki, stated, “This is a laudable policy needing the support and collaboration of all industry stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.”