By Amos Aar
BENUE State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday commissioned the first indigenous pharmaceutical firm established by Pharm. Emmanuel Idoko at Upaha Village, Welfare Quarters extension, Makurdi, Benue State capital.
The governor commended Idoko for choosing to develop his own motherland rather than site the company outside Benue State where he could have made more money.
“This man has already started the job I have been praying for every day since I came in under two months. I have been struggling to ensure that there’s employment. This gentleman is way ahead of me, he has started employing people in the state without even getting any support,” Alia praised Idoko for creating employment for people through the pharmaceutical industry
He assured Idoko of the government’s support, saying the products represent Benue and a new Benue must come with industries.
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In a goodwill message, former Director General (DG) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, stressed the need for Nigerians to produce medicines rather than depend on imported products.
Orhii who took cognizance of the COVID-19 era when Chloroquine had to be imported and the product became scarce, wondered what will happen if there is another outbreak of a similar disease.
“I am still asking this question, Your Excellency, if something happens and medicines cannot come from all these other countries, what are we going to do?”, the former NAFDAC DG asked Governor Alia, adding: “I pray that Benue State finds a way to support Idoko. He is not asking for handouts; he is asking for cooperation and collaboration that can enable him grow seriously so that other countries can be coming to Benue State”.
Earlier in a keynote address, the Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vincal Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd, Pharm. Emanuel Idoko, disclosed that he established the industry to reduce the circulation of fake drugs in Benue State where people are relatively poor and cannot afford the high cost quality and authentic drugs which makes producers of fake drugs take advantage of them since fake products are always cheaper.
Tracing the origin of the company, the MD said, Vincal Pharmaceutical Ltd was incorporated in January 2009 having taken over from the then Vical Pharmacy in 2008 with its head office at Number 6, Ali Akilu Road, Makurdi.
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The company has a retail branch at Federal Medical Centre, Apir, beside the gate and also a wholesale outlet at Number 5, Ali Akilu Road, Makurdi.
“Our drug manufacturing factory and Table Water factory, with a brand name AquaVincal, are located at Tse-Upaha, Welfare Quarters Extension, Makurdi, Benue State. The Manufacturing Unit was incorporated in March, 2023 as Vincal Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd”, he explained.
I doko asserted that “he availability and affordability of quality drugs coupled with their rational use is indeed, fundamental to effective healthcare delivery.
“Unfortunately, there has been a rising trend of very fragmented drugs distribution channels in Nigeria. This development encourages fake and substandard drugs and drug products. In the society today where many people struggle to afford basic needs, only a small percentage of the population could afford quality healthcare and quality drugs.
“This is our motivation to go beyond drugs distribution and delve into production. In Vincal Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd, it is our ultimate desire to reverse this ugly trend in the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry as we inject professionalism into the system.
“Knowing that there is pharmaceutical laboratory in Benue State alone will send the fakers away. There are many fake drugs in circulation today.
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“According to NAFDAC, the first indicator of fake is undue price reduction. Products whose prices are unduly reduce are meant for the less privileged who are looking for a way of reducing cost of living.
“You would agree with me that Benue indigenes are relatively poor and this makes them more vulnerable to fake and substandard drugs”, Idoko opined.
In area of employment, the MD revealed that his industry has employed over one hundred workers and when fully developed, it has the capacity to employ over 3000 workers, adding that “youths from the host community will be fully employed”.
Pharm. Idoko who expressed appreciation to the former DG of NAFDAC for helping him to get NAFDAC registration stated that, although he has acquired the knowledge for drugs production, he did not have the financial capacity to go at a pace the public may expect. He therefore, called on individuals with financial capacity to partner with them.
In his remarks, former Chairman, Hospitals Management Board, Makurdi and former Chairman, Guma local Government Council, Pharm. John Enger, encouraged pharmacists not to remain only in the profession but explore business opportunities to grow in life. He solicited well spirited individuals to support Pharm. Emmanuel Idoko wax stronger.
Some drugs produced by Vincal Pharmaceutical industry Ltd include Vincacid suspension Antaxid, Vinvite Vitamin C syrup, vinvite multivitamin syrup, vincoff syrup (cough syrup for children), vincoff expectorant (cough syrup for children), Vincal suflon (Antiseptic), Vincal B complex (B- complex syrup), Vincal Eusol lotion, vincal methylated spirit, sod bottle and etcetera.
