Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN) has raised the alert that the New Drug Distribution Guideline, NDDG, and Common External Tarrif, CET threaten local drug manufacturers.
President of the Group, Mr. Okey Akpan made this revelation during a World Press Conference in Lagos.
Akpan said “The CET places zero tariff on finished imported medicine while essential raw and packaging materials required by the industry for local medicine production attracts five percent to 20 per cent.
“This policy undoubtedly, spells doom for the local industry as imported medicines will become far cheaper than locally produced ones. This situation is inimical to the survival of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, and there is a need for urgent review.
He added that the NDDG will lead to significant reduction in access to essential medicine, hike in the price of essential medicine, elimination of current wholesalers, among others.
Leave a Reply