OUTRIGHT opposition to and radical criticism of government policies and actions no doubt helps a nation to grow if accorded a nationalistic outlook. Little wonder that a nation fares better, faster, most genuinely and more impressively when critics acknowledges progressive and landmark achievements as well as proffers alternative solutions where and when necessary. It is within this context that critics could be patriotic or selfish, disgruntled/unpatriotic by assessment.

Consequently, we must as Nigerians, acknowledge that the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan conceptualized and implemented Transformation Agenda is indeed propelling the Nation towards a dynamic and success driven multi-sectorial development which is already according Nigeria an ideal placement in the comity of nations. The swiftness, dynamism and seriousness with which government confronted and conquered the globally dreaded genocidal Ebola disease and urgently placed Nigeria on the World map as an – Ebola free nation, still remains a mystery to the international community such that the United States of America ,an acclaimed world Power, has approached Nigeria for necessary tutorials and assistance in this regard.

This feat is no doubt attributable to the existence of a transformed indigenous health sector manned by seasoned and competent manpower under the leadership of a focused coordinator Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu as health minister. Similarly, NAFDAC is indeed, a vital organ in the sustenance of progressive healthcare services and it is conscious of the fact that acceptability is a vital ingredient in the success and otherwise of pharmaceutical production endevour which in turn is hinge able on two variables; namely, domestic/indigenous and global /international. While the former is limited and therefore out rightly restrictive, the latter is limitless both in status, practice and associate able dividends.

Doubting Thomases

This NAFDAC induced initiative which initially seemed unrealize able and considered by many doubting Thomases as a mere wild goose chase when introduced few years ago, is now yielding commendable dividends. Recently, one of the nation’s pharmaceutical giants –Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited was pronounced by the World Health Organisation, WHO, as having successfully scaled through the initially perceived rigorous processes and has earned for itself the coveted WHO good manufacturing practice (GMP) prequalification certification, a process aimed at determining the ability of a firm to persistently, produce products without compromising quality standards specifications of the organisation. Remarkably, WHO Director General, Dr Margaret Chan, commended the determination and unwavering commitment of NAFDAC under its incumbent management which she claimed has successfully brought about the earning of WHO GMP certification by a Nigerian local pharmaceutical firm which incidentally remains the first of its kind in the entire West Africa.

In view of this therefore, more indigenous firms like May and Baker plc,Fidson Healthcare,Neimeth etc are now making frantic efforts to key into this progressive economic initiative. The NAFDAC backed effort will maximally boost production ability of local drug plants by making them measure up adequately to globally acceptable standards with the consent of WHO.The World Health Organisation assent will no doubt further rub-off positively on local drug plants as the production of essential medicines will bring about acceptability for our indigenous medicines globally thereby successfully acquiring the capacity to satisfy both domestic and foreign demands.

Martins Ikhilae is a Lagos based analyst