Gift Habib
The United States Agency for International Development has announced a $2.3m commitment to procure 4.8 million doses of malaria tablets from Swiss Pharma, a Nigerian pharmaceutical company.
This was contained in a statement from the US Embassy in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The deal, facilitated through the President’s Malaria Initiative, aims to expand access to essential malaria treatments in Nigeria and across West Africa.
The move comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges in sourcing affordable, high-quality medicines.
“The U.S. Agency for International Development has committed $2.3m to procure 4.8 million doses of life-saving malaria tablets from Swiss Pharma in a landmark partnership that will expand access to essential medicines in Nigeria and West Africa,” the statement read in part.
According to the World Health Organisation, less than 10 per cent of medicines produced in sub-Saharan Africa meet international quality standards, limiting local pharmaceutical companies’ ability to supply vital treatments.
This has particularly affected the availability of malaria medications and other critical drugs needed for maternal and child health.
In response to these challenges, USAID partnered with Swipha to achieve WHO prequalification for its sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine tablets, a key medication used to prevent malaria during pregnancy.
Swipha has now become the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria and West Africa to obtain this certification, marking a significant milestone for the region’s pharmaceutical sector.
“USAID’s support was pivotal in helping us reach this milestone.
“The WHO prequalification not only validates our commitment to producing high-quality medicines but also enhances our capacity to scale production and serve both local and international markets with trusted, essential medicines,” said Swipha Managing Director, Frederic Lieutaud.
With the WHO certification in place, Swipha is now positioned to supply these essential malaria tablets to international donors and procurement agencies, enhancing the availability of life-saving treatments in Nigeria and beyond.
The achievement is expected to boost local manufacturing capacity, address critical healthcare needs and contribute to broader public health efforts.
USAID Mission Director to Nigeria, Melissa Jones, visited Swipha’s facility in Lagos to celebrate the achievement.
“This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration in improving healthcare in Nigeria.
“We are proud to have supported Swipha in reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure more quality medicines reach those who need them most.
“Together, we are building a healthier future for Nigeria,” Jones noted.
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