NAFDAC Chief Lauds Tinubu’s Executive Order To Boost Local Manufacturing Of Health Products

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye, praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the Executive Order (EO) on healthcare, which was aimed at boosting local production of health products.

The director general said that the new EO will also reduce the costs of health equipment and investments. She called this move an important step toward improving the health sector, as the EO paves the path for sustainable and quality healthcare.

She further said that the decision to sign this new EO showed the president's commitment to transforming Nigeria's health sector.

"This initiative, part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), addresses longstanding challenges and aims to improve health outcomes for Nigerians," she said, Premium Times reported.

The director general explained that the EO aligned with the broader objectives of the NHSRII and the Presidential Initiative on Healthcare Value Chain, and it will address the core challenges of the healthcare system in the country.

The executive order -- aimed at boosting local manufacturing -- will create jobs, stimulate economic growth and ensure a reliable supply of essential healthcare products. Following the president's approval, the next step is for the Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi to proceed with formalizing the new order.

NAFDAC alongside the Nigeria Customs Service, SON and FIRS will implement the order, which includes special waivers and exemptions effective for two years.

The order also directs the Ministers of Health, Finance, and Industry, Trade and Investment to develop a "harmonized implementation framework, expediting regulatory approvals and reducing bottlenecks."

The new order eliminates tariffs, excise duties and VAT on specific machinery, equipment and raw materials. This move aims to support local manufacturers by making them more competitive compared to multinational companies that currently dominate the market.

It also exempts certain pharmaceutical machinery, equipment like needles and syringes, biological and medical textiles from tariffs and excise duties. This exemption is designed to lower production costs and make healthcare products more affordable for consumers.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said this new EO "provides for establishing market-shaping mechanisms such as framework contracts and volume guarantees, to encourage local manufacturers."