The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has suggested implementing a complete prohibition on the importation of medical syringes into the country. This measure aims to support domestic production and boost the nation’s economy.
The remarks were delivered by the Minister during his official visit to the state-of-the-art Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory in Karameh Industrial City, Arepo, Ogun State, which has a significant economic value.
The minister requested NAFDAC to prevent excessive imports of syringes from hindering the growth of the domestic industry due to unfair competition. “Don’t give them any more authorisation to import. We need to protect the local industry through the backward integration model aimed at enhancing the local capacity,’’
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed that the Agency has stopped issuing import permits to importers, including international collaborators.
She said, “This suspension applies even to syringes previously imported by NAFDAC’s international partners. The goal is to shift the focus towards supporting domestic syringe manufacturing.
“However, for the local manufacturers, we are doing hand-holding with our Syringe companies. Hand-holding, meaning we are working with them by correcting whatever we found wrong or inappropriate in their operations.”
“this initiative has started yielding positive dividends as the World Health Organisation WHO recently requested for names of the three syringe manufacturing companies in Nigeria to do business with.”
