Industrial pharmacist Henrietta Ukwu has called on the Federal Government to reduce Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported medicines, describing the country’s estimated 70 percent reliance on foreign drugs as unacceptable.

Ukwu raised the concern while delivering a keynote address at the 29th Annual National Conference of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria held in Ilorin.

Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry as a Pillar of National Health, Wealth, and Security,” she urged the government to intensify support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing to strengthen national health security.

According to her, Nigeria has the expertise and natural resources needed to build a stronger pharmaceutical sector but has failed to fully utilise its potential.

“We have incredible expertise and all it takes to move the pharmaceutical industry forward, but we are not fully harnessing the natural resources Nigeria is endowed with,” Ukwu said.

She identified the high rate of drug importation as a major challenge and stressed the need for increased investment in the local industry.

Ukwu noted that improved manufacturing standards would attract investors and encourage greater production of pharmaceutical products within the country.

“When investors see that manufacturers are meeting world standards, they will put their money into the industry, and this will boost the production of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria,” she added.