Nigeria Begins HIV, Malaria Test Kits Production May

Nigeria is about to start native manufacturing of fast diagnostic take a look at kits for HIV and malaria in Might 2025. This transfer is predicted to considerably cut back the nation’s import dependence and curb overseas trade outflows.

The milestone comes as Codix Pharma Restricted introduced the upcoming commissioning of its subsidiary, Codix Bio Restricted, which is able to home the nation’s first facility to fabricate take a look at kits for crucial illnesses. The manufacturing unit marks a major milestone in lowering the nation’s reliance on imported take a look at kits, particularly for illnesses like HIV, malaria, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis.

The chief working officer of Codix Pharma Restricted, Mary Ogangwu, who disclosed this at a press convention to announce the upcoming commissioning of the Codix Bio Restricted Take a look at Package manufacturing manufacturing unit held in Lagos, emphasised the strategic significance of the power.

“We’re not simply launching a manufacturing unit; we’re serving to to reshape Nigeria’s healthcare manufacturing panorama. This improvement opens the door to lowering overseas trade burdens and making certain extra constant entry to life-saving diagnostics,” she stated.

Codix started importing crucial equipment for the plant below the Import Responsibility Exemption Certificates (IDEC) waiver earlier than the current Govt Order, which waives tariffs on pharmaceutical inputs and gear, got here into impact. Whereas the Govt Order has introduced welcome reduction, Ogangwu expressed issues over its two-year expiration, urging policymakers to make sure sustainability.

She additionally referred to as for changes within the coverage to incorporate speciality supplies like nitrocellulose sheets and laminated uncut sheets, that are important within the manufacturing of take a look at kits however are presently handled as commonplace paper imports, thereby attracting duties. “These inputs are usually not common paper. They carry organic materials and should be categorised appropriately to attain value effectivity,” she stated.

Codix Bio deliberate to tackle fast diagnostic take a look at kits, beginning with HIV take a look at kits, aligning with nationwide efforts to scale testing throughout Nigeria, the place over 15 million HIV assessments are carried out yearly. The corporate additionally seeks to deal with the human useful resource hole in medical tech by partnering with Olabisi

Onabanjo College (OOU). Over 138 science college students are presently being educated in biosensor know-how and nanoscience to arrange for trade wants.

Codix’s manufacturing ambitions are continental in scope. With help from the Africa CDC and ongoing discussions with African Heads of State, Ogangwu emphasised the twin calls for of high quality and competitiveness. Nonetheless, she challenged the prevailing strategy of evaluating African manufacturing costs to China’s ex-works charges. “Examine our doorstep costs to what it prices to import into Nigeria. Solely then is it a good comparability,” she argued.

Whereas acknowledging that some inputs like high-quality packaging supplies are nonetheless imported, Ogangwu stated Codix is already printing paper packaging regionally and exploring choices to localise extra inputs. Nonetheless, she harassed that long-term value reductions would rely on enhancements in vitality provide, human capability, and a secure coverage setting. “This manufacturing unit symbolises what is feasible when innovation meets intention. African issues can have African options. High quality doesn’t should be outsourced,” the COO affirmed.

Codix Bio Restricted’s commissioning is scheduled for Might 2025, and full operations are anticipated to start shortly afterwards.

The final supervisor of plant operations, Olanrewaju Balaja, confirmed that the power is nearing completion. “Design, development, and utility installations corresponding to HVAC methods and cleanroom environments are already accomplished. We are actually validating all methods to make sure constant high quality. The ability will function below internationally acknowledged requirements, with plans to safe WHO Prequalification,” he famous.