By Jude Onyenedogha
The need for a well structured and developed Industrial Park in Imo State was the main trust of the business development summit of the National Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP), Imo State chapter, Friday, at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, with the theme: Harnessing the Imo State Potentials: Advancing Growth of the Pharmaceutical Industry.
Delivering the keynote speech, the National Chairman, PSN Board of Fellows Pharm Uchenna Apakama described NAIP members in Imo State as resilient, for keeping on with the business in the face of numerous challenges.
While commending the national and Imo State chairmen of the association for their concerted effort to revive NAIP that was dead in the state, Apakama appealed to the government to create an industrial hub that will accommodate Imo people in the Pharmacy industry, who he said are majority in the business in Nigeria.
Speaking, the national President of NAIP, Pharm. Ken Onuegbu said Nigeria cannot be talking of medicine and drug security in the country, “if we are still importing almost 70 percent of our drug needs, asserting that the only way to solve the problem is by establishing indigenous manufacturing companies.
He expressed confidence in the Imo State Government, as according to him, government is an indispensable stakeholder, as it is government that will provide the conducive environment, infrastructure and security, to actualize the aim, adding, “if some states have done it, I don’t know why Imo State cannot do it”.
Also speaking, the Imo State chairman of NAIP, Dr. Okey Unogu insisted that, “we must make Pharmaceutical industry indigenous to our homes”, adding, “the closer it is to communities, the better”.
Unogu described Pharmacy as a profession that stands at the very heart of public health and national development, adding that the theme: Harnessing the Imo State Potentials; Advancing Growth of the Pharmaceutical Industry, reflects the pressing challenges and boundless opportunities within the Pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria and beyond.
He said, “Whether it is strengthening the supply chain, combating counterfeit drugs, improving access to essential medicines or advancing Pharmaceutical research and innovation, our collative resolve and collaboration are critical”
In his address, the planning committee chairman, Pharm. Okafor Cyril said the summit couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time than currently, given the critical need for innovation and resilience in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, admits current economic challenges.
The Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Rex Anunobi was on hand to reel out achievements, programmes and plans of the state government to improve the industrial development of Imo State, while assuring the willingness of the government to collaborate and create enabling environment for NAIP to realize its aims and aspiration.
The Commissioner for Health, Secondary and Tertiary, Healthcare Management, Prof Chukwuemeka Ubaka was represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry, Pharmacist Uche Mmaduwuike who observed that the Pharmaceutical industry was yet to maximize its potentials in the state.
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