What's Happening?
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has clarified why Nigeria has not yet achieved the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification for locally manufactured vaccines.
According to Adeyeye, the delay is not due to weak regulation but because Nigeria has not started actual vaccine production. While NAFDAC has met nearly all WHO requirements, full benchmarking cannot occur until local vaccine manufacturing begins. WHO prequalification is crucial as it validates a country's manufacturing standards and ensures global acceptance of its vaccines. Adeyeye emphasized the importance of local vaccine production for Nigeria's self-reliance and epidemic preparedness, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when the country relied heavily on foreign vaccine donations and imports.
Why It's Important?
Achieving WHO prequalification for vaccines is significant for Nigeria as it would enhance the country's self-reliance and economic resilience. It would also strengthen Nigeria's preparedness for future epidemics by reducing dependency on foreign vaccine supplies. The move towards local vaccine production could stimulate investment in the pharmaceutical sector, potentially leading to job creation and technological advancements. For the global community, Nigeria's ability to produce vaccines locally could contribute to a more equitable distribution of vaccines, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to vaccines remains a challenge.
What's Next?
NAFDAC is urging local pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in human vaccine production to meet WHO's requirements for prequalification. The agency has restructured its operations, creating a dedicated Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Directorate to improve governance and performance. This restructuring aims to position NAFDAC to operate at global standards. As Nigeria moves towards local vaccine production, it will need to demonstrate its capacity to regulate manufacturing facilities effectively. This development could lead to increased collaboration with international health organizations and potential partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies.
Beyond the Headlines
The push for local vaccine production in Nigeria highlights broader issues of health equity and the need for developing countries to build their own capacities to respond to health crises. It also raises questions about the role of international organizations in supporting these efforts and the potential for technology transfer and capacity building. The restructuring within NAFDAC to create specialized units may serve as a model for other regulatory agencies in the region, promoting efficiency and reducing vulnerabilities to corruption.
