THREE institutions in the health and finance sectors, in Abuja, have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of the sickle cell drugs in Nigeria.They are the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) and the Federal Ministry of Health.Dr. Mohammed Pate, the minister of State for Health, said at the signing that the drug was a plant based, scientifically approved and produced locally to help in the management of sickle cell.'NIPRD has done well in terms of coming up with this and is being complimented by NEXIM Bank as well as other stakeholders to finance the production.'This initial phase is social production phase, not yet at commercial scale.''The drug Niprisan, formerly known as Nicosan is an anti sickling phytomedicine for the management of sickle cell crises, which was developed at by NIPRD.The drug, produced with extracts from four botanical plants in Nigeria, does not cure sickle cell anaemia, but only manages to reduce the frequency of the ailment.It will be recalled that the Federal Government, two years ago, stopped the production of Niprisan due to issues bordering on finance.Pate noted that the production would be one commercially viable engagement which the country would benefit from.He said that beyond Niprisan, the research organ would go further on research that might help sufferers of other diseases.The minister commended the NEXIM Bank for its commitment and assured the financier of Federal Government's support for the effective production of the drug in the country.'Health is not only about service delivery; health can also contribute to economic development and working with public and private sectors.'We can do a lot more not only to save people's live but also to enhance economic well being in this country.'According to Pate, with the signing of the MOU, the drugs would be made available at NIPRD to the target group, including parents whose kids were sufferers, to experience some kind of relief.Speaking earlier, Mr. Robert Orya, the managing director of NEXIM, expressed joy that the commercial production of the drug would commence.'NEXIM had always been committed because even for social reasons, a lot of Nigerians are suffering from sickle cell and you know that this is one of the drugs that is important.'We have a situation where parents come into the bank with their sick child, and it evokes emotions even more than money.'He said that the production of the drug was in line with the mandate of NEXIM to encourage exportation of indigenous product.Orya said thatit would continue to work with NIPRD to support in terms of funding of any other commercial research that they would come up with in the future.He said that the outcome of the steering committee meeting next week would help NEXIM to know the exact initial funding needs.He said that the bank was still working to ensure recovery of debt incurred by the former company that was engaged in the initial production of the drug.
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