Big win for local drug manufacturing as Nigeria’s Swiss Pharma gets WHO nod

Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited has achieved a major milestone by becoming the first local manufacturer in Nigeria, and in West and Central Africa, to receive World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for its Sulphadoxine/Pyrimethamine tablets.

According to press statement by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) made available to PlanetPulse.NG, this is the second product from Swiss Pharma to earn this top recognition.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, explained that the success was due to NAFDAC’s strong commitment to helping local drug manufacturers meet international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.

She noted that NAFDAC’s inspectors played a key role by providing technical support during the WHO’s site inspection.

This collaboration between NAFDAC and the industry is pushing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector toward becoming a significant global supplier of essential medicines.

Prof. Adeyeye also highlighted the benefits of WHO prequalification, saying it allows manufacturers to sell their products globally, opening doors to international markets.

She encouraged other local manufacturers to follow Swiss Pharma’s example and work with NAFDAC to reach similar achievements, stressing that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry has the potential to produce high-quality, life-saving medicines.

She added, “As an organisation focused on customer satisfaction and supporting the industry, NAFDAC is ready to help more local manufacturers who comply with our regulations. At this critical time, as the government promotes local drug manufacturing, we can work together to achieve even more global recognition for Nigerian manufacturers.”