Nigeria’s Health Ministry to partner Private Sector on Fight Against Hypertension

The Federal Ministry of Health is to collaborate with an indigenous manufacturing company in the production of medicines with specialty in anti-hypertensive drugs to make drugs available and affordable to Nigerians, in line with the National Drug Policy (NDP) and Essential Medicines List (EML).

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Linus Awute, who made this known during a presentation in Abuja lately stated that the Health Ministry is poised to support the laudable initiative championed by Neimeth to ensure good healthcare delivery to Nigerians.

Linus Awute described the initiative as unique, judging from its four-pronged strategy – awareness creation, availability of anti-hypertensive drugs, affordability of anti-hypertensive medicines and action. He added that the initiative involves screening and administration of medicines; pledging to continue to partner with Neimeth because of the positive role which the company played during the Ebola scourge.

While welcoming guests to the occasion, the Director in the Department of Food and Drugs Services, G. M. O. Chukumah informed that about 4.5 million Nigerians over the age of 15 are hypertensive; adding that its prevalence is much in urban than rural communities. She also reaffirmed that Neimeth’s intervention is to make drugs accessible, safe, qualitative and affordable to Nigerians.

In his response at the occasion, the MD/CEO of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, Ekunno Emmanuel (Pharmacist) said that Neimeth has decided to cut down 50% on the price of its anti-hypertensive drugs, so as to make them affordable to the good people of Abuja in particular and Nigerians in general. He also announced that to ensure availability of its anti-hypertensive drugs and other family medicines, Neimeth is offering free screening on hypertension and giving medications free for 2 months usage.