Salako Urges Government to Boost Nigeria's Drug Production

Prof. Babatunde Salako, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), called on the Federal Government to urgently expand Nigeria’s clinical-trial infrastructure and strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing to decrease reliance on imported medicines. He emphasized the need for more clinical-trial centres, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to enhance research capacity and generate relevant evidence for the population.

Salako made these remarks during the keynote address at the 4th Nigerian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (NISPET) Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting in Ibadan, themed “Pharmacology Beyond Boundaries: Innovation and Translational Science for Sustainable Health.” He advocated for a collaborative approach among universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the government to translate scientific discoveries into practical health solutions. Salako also stressed the importance of integrating modern technologies into pharmacological research and urged for the validation of traditional knowledge in drug development.