The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has voiced its concerns regarding the departure of pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria, citing resultant drug shortages in the country.
Prof. Bala Audu, the newly elected NMA Chairman, expressed these concerns during a media conference in Abuja on Wednesday, following the conclusion of the 64th Annual General Conference/Delegates Meeting held in Cross River recently.
Audu highlighted the exit of major pharmaceutical companies as a factor leading to significant increases in drug prices and job losses. He emphasized that this exodus has raised serious apprehensions about Nigerians’ future access to essential medicines.
He urged the government to take immediate measures to alleviate the impact of these companies’ departure by fostering a conducive business environment and investing adequately in domestic pharmaceutical and other industries.
Furthermore, Audu disclosed that the conference reviewed progress in addressing salary arrears, implementing the new hazard allowance, and enforcing the revised Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) for medical doctors and other health workers.
He noted the conference’s acknowledgment of governors’ efforts in addressing unpaid salaries and enhancing wages for doctors and other health workers in their respective states.
He added that the conference noted the increasing number of quacks apprehended over the past few months, adding that “quackery had brought untold hardships to many Nigerians in terms of attendant complications with deadly outcomes.”
