Nigerian Drugmakers Resist Calls to Overturn Import Ban

Nigerian pharmaceutical companies concerned about growing calls to overturn a ban on cheap imports have alleged that the previous trade regime allowed for widespread "dumping" on the local market.

The PMG-MAN trade association has now called on the government to force cheap imported products that are equivalent to locally made drugs off the market entirely. Nigeria's drug authorities have already cut taxes on some locally made essential drugs and removed them entirely on antiretrovirals. However, last month's ban by drug regulator NAFDAC only affected roughly 17 competitive products, and much of the local retail sector remains dependent on copy drugs produced in Asia.