By Asma’u Ahmad
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) says it is set to launch four drugs researched and produced by the Institute before the end of the year.
Director-General of the Institute, Professor Karniyus Gamaniel, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel
The drugs are: anti malaria, Anti-fungal, immune booster and anti-diabetic drugs.
Prof. Gamaniel said the drugs have since been earmarked for launching by the Institute; but added that paucity of funds have prevented it from doing so.
He said with the signing of the 2017 budget by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, the institute was now concluding plans to launch the products once funds were released.
He said the signing of the budget meant availability of funds for organisations to carry out its projects. According to him, the Institute is also targeting capacity building for its staff.
“We hope to launch these products as soon as the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, approves and we receive funds from the budget. These drugs were produced using natural ingredients; they are herbal drugs. These drugs when launched will be more affordable and more accessible for citizens.
“We have focused on diabetics this time because the condition is increasingly featuring now in the country just like cancer. We need to do more to address this situation.
There are cancer treatment centres around the country to help address the condition hence treatment for diabetics should be given equal attention as well. The Institute hopes to carry out this launch on or before December,” Gamaniel said.
