NIGERIAN DRUGMAKERS UNCLEAR OVER REGULATORY CRACKDOWN

Nigerian government body the Pharmaceutical Council (PCN) claims that local drugmakers need to take a more active role in combating copy and fake drugs. While the PCN has highlighted the need for stringent inspections, the agency also notes that many manufacturers are insufficiently unaware of their regulatory obligations, including those regarding GMP standards.

Nigeria's copy drugs trade is worth around US$220mn per year -- or around 85% of the total drug market -- with counterfeit drugs sales estimated to be US$80mn annually. However, industry observers believe that the inspections will have a limited impact, as 70% of the country's drug sales come through imports.

Nigeria is a low-income country with limited local drug production leaving many people reliant on imports. Local sources claim Nigeria's best hope of reducing the trade in fake and copy drugs is by increasing domestic drug manufacturing. The country has a target of having 70% of all "essential" drugs produced locally by 2007.

Whether this target will be reached remains to be seen, although the government has been proactive on the issue. Earlier this year, a deal was signed to transfer antiretroviral (ARV) technology from Brazil, while new legislation aims to restrict competitive imports of vital medicines.