NIGERIA— Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited (SWIPHA), a subsidiary of Servier, a renowned French pharmaceutical company, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its Zinc tablet.
This recognition marks the first time a zinc tablet from Africa has obtained WHO prequalification, signifying a remarkable achievement for SWIPHA.
The process leading to WHO prequalification involved rigorous assessments of quality, safety, and efficacy conducted by the global health watchdog.
This recognition is highly esteemed worldwide and serves as a symbol of excellence in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
It opens up opportunities for SWIPHA to provide medicines worth billions of dollars for procurement by United Nations (UN) agencies, with the aim of distributing them in resource-limited countries.
This achievement by SWIPHA paves the way for Nigerian pharmaceutical companies to follow suit and demonstrates that the country’s pharmaceutical industry can meet international standards.
Frederic Lieutaud, the Managing Director of Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, expressed his delight in announcing the WHO prequalification of their Zinc Dispersible 20mg Tablet.
He attributed this success to the dedication of the SWIPHA team, which has consistently provided high-quality pharmaceutical products adhering to the highest safety and efficacy standards for over 47 years.
Mr. Lieutaud acknowledged the invaluable support of partners and clients in achieving this feat.
These partners include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria, Servier Generic Group, and the United States Pharmacopeia – Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (USP-PQM+).
Additionally, the Maternal and Child Centre in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, the General Hospital Alimosho, Lagos, and the Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital in Ibadan, along with other stakeholders, played a vital role in supporting SWIPHA’s journey to prequalification.
Abbas Sambo, the Business Development & Licensing Director, emphasized that this milestone underscores the company’s belief that every child deserves access to safe and effective medicines.
He also expressed SWIPHA’s commitment to addressing the critical issue of pediatric health in Nigeria and contributing to the solution.
Prof. Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, commended SWIPHA’s achievement, highlighting that the company has added another significant first to its list of accomplishments.
She noted that SWIPHA is now the first manufacturer of finished pharmaceutical products in the West Africa sub-region to attain WHO prequalification.
Prof. Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC provided substantial technical support throughout the process, including a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) reassessment of SWIPHA’s facility and assistance in addressing non-conformance observations raised by the WHO.
This commendable achievement reinforces the belief that with the right attitude, collaboration, and synergy, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry can become a force to be reckoned with in Sub-Saharan Africa and on the global stage, Prof. Adeyeye added.
SWIPHA’s achievement in receiving WHO prequalification for its Zinc tablet represents a significant step forward for the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry.
It not only boosts the reputation of Nigerian pharmaceuticals but also highlights the potential for local manufacturers to contribute to addressing healthcare challenges in Nigeria and beyond.
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