BY CHIOMA OBINNA

With more than 20 million Nigerians said to be infected with worms, one of the country’s indigenouspharmaceutical company, Neimeth Pharmaceutical Plc last week introduced a new Antihelminthic product, Pyrantrin, a Block -Burster that would promote healthy growth among Nigerian primary school pupils as well as change adult Nigerians’ perception on worms.

The new product which is a brand of pyrantel pamoate is said to expel all the six commonly occurring intestinal worms.

Speaking at a media presentation of the product which is to replace Combantrin which was also the product of the company, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa regretted that about 85 per cent of Nigerian children are infected worms.

Ohuabunwa who further noted that children are more susceptible to worm infestation stressed the need for parents to deworm their children in order to promote healthy life for all ages.

According to him, worm infestation if left untreated, would lead to severe malnutrition, poor mental, physical development, severe anaemia, pulmonary reactions, intestinal obstruction, biliary obstruction and economic consequences and loss of man hours.

“Pyrantrin has a broad spectrum of activity and desirable mode of action which does not encourage excitation or worm migration. It has an excellent toleration profile which makes it have minimal or no side effects. It also eliminates worms at all stages of development, affordable and suitable for mass deworming”, he explained

Officially presenting the product, he announced that Pyrantrin Kids Club will formerly replaced Combantrin Kids Club.

The Neimeth boss further hinted that for sustainable growth, the company has over 50 products of diverse therapeutic entities slated for launch every quarter throughout the year. The products are injections, antibiotics, disinfectants, consumables and wide range of healthcare products relevant to the health needs of Nigerian society.

In his presentation entitled, “The Journey So far”, the Marketing Manager, Pyrantrin, Mrs Faith Okoli who lamented the burden of worm infestation disclosed that over 40,000 families and 250 communities have been reached by Neimeth with its campaign against worms in Nigeria.

Okoli stated that Neimeth in its efforts to keeping the society worm – free while complimenting efforts with environmental/ hygiene and health education, in its partnership with various groups have reduced worm burden on the society as a whole.