APC National Vice Chairman Arodiogbu Pays Strategic Visit to NIPRD

The National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, MBBS, Phd, on Wednesday paid a strategic visit to the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja, as part of efforts to explore partnerships that could strengthen pharmaceutical research, local drug production and medicine security in Nigeria.

Dr. Arodiogbu, a Medical Doctor by profession was received by the Acting Director-General of NIPRD, Prof. Philip Builders, alongside members of the institute’s management team.

Presstv News Nigeria can report that – The visit focused particularly on the strategic partnership between political stakeholders and NIPRD in identifying, harnessing and developing indigenous resources and raw materials available in the South-East for pharmaceutical manufacturing and other health-related industrial applications.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Arodiogbu commended NIPRD for its sustained commitment to pharmaceutical research and development and its contribution to improving healthcare in Nigeria.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government, political leadership, research institutions and local industries to unlock the economic and health potential of Nigeria’s abundant indigenous resources.

According to him, the South-East possesses significant human, agricultural and natural resources that can be harnessed to support local pharmaceutical production, reduce dependence on imported raw materials and medicines, create employment opportunities and promote industrial development.

Dr. Arodiogbu further explored areas of collaboration aimed at supporting NIPRD’s research activities, strengthening the development of local pharmaceutical raw materials and encouraging the translation of research outcomes into commercially viable products.

In his presentation, the Acting Director-General of NIPRD, Prof. Philip Builders, highlighted the institute’s contributions to national health development through pharmaceutical research and development.

He explained that NIPRD has, over the decades, linked traditional and herbal medicine knowledge with modern scientific approaches to pharmaceutical research and development, with the objective of producing affordable and accessible medicines to address diseases that affect human health, productivity and national development.

Prof. Builders identified the discovery and development of NIPRISAN, formerly known as NICOSAN and now marketed as NICLOVIX, as one of the institute’s major breakthroughs. The phytomedicine is used in the management of sickle cell disease.

He also listed other phytomedicines developed and trademarked by the institute, including NIPRIFAN, NIPRIBOL, NIPRIMAL and NIPRIMUNE.

According to him, NIPRD has also developed phytomedicine immune-booster products, NIPRIMUNE and NIPRIMUNE PLUS, which have been listed for use by NAFDAC and are awaiting clinical trials as potential herbal medicine candidates for COVID-19.

The Acting Director-General further highlighted NIPRD’s research activities in vaccine and biotechnology development, noting that the institute has a strong research and development culture in vaccine research for infectious diseases.

He disclosed that the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, which houses the Human Virology Division, is engaged in research into tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, while the institute is also involved in the development of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits.

Prof. Builders also noted that NIPRD has an antiviral research team working on vaccine development for viral infections and emphasised the need for collaboration with development partners to strengthen staff capacity and provide access to newer methodologies and modern research equipment.

Another area highlighted was pharmaceutical raw-material research and development. The institute has developed pharmaceutical-grade starch and microcrystalline cellulose from locally sourced raw materials, demonstrating the potential for Nigeria to reduce its dependence on imported pharmaceutical inputs.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development also undertakes formulation studies, including the formulation of synthetic and natural drug compounds for improved drug delivery, as well as stability and shelf-life studies and research in nanomedicine.

The engagement therefore provided an opportunity to examine how the research capabilities and innovations of NIPRD can be better connected to local resources, particularly those available in the South-East, to promote indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The visit underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in translating Nigeria’s research capacity and indigenous resources into tangible economic and healthcare benefits.

It also reaffirmed the shared objective of strengthening local pharmaceutical production, supporting indigenous innovation and advancing Nigeria’s quest for greater medicine security and a more resilient healthcare system.

Signed:

Timothy Nwachukwu
Special Adviser on Media, Policy and Strategic Engagement to Apc National Vice Chairman South East.