NIPRD Partners The Republic Of Ireland

The Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector has gotten a boost. This is as the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has entered into partnership with a global pharmaceutical giant- the Republic of Ireland.

The partnership is to enable Nigeria tap from the rich  and well developed pharmaceutical sector of the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, Sean Hoy, the Director General of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe, noted that the partnership was important because Ireland has a world-renowned reputation for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing.

“Ireland currently hosts 9 out of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies and 18 of the top 25 medtech companies including Abbott, MSD, Allergen, Norvatis, GSK and Pfizer.

“Given the Republic of Ireland’s strong position in the area of drug development and pharmaceutical manufacturing in Europe and indeed globally, there are great opportunities for synergies and linkages that would yield mutual benefits for both countries base on our long diplomatic ties and heritage,” he said.

The NIPRD  Director General, therefore, listed the major areas of partnership with the Irish government to include data collation and sharing for robust strategic marketing and beneficial pharmaceutical trading and investments.

Other areas of partnership, he said, include the strengthening of new partnerships with NIPRD’s reputable faculty and experienced human resources to deepen mutually beneficial opportunities for both NIPRD and development partners, especially, Irish investors; utilization of relevant concessionary measures like the one between Bangladesh and India, to facilitate collaborative partnerships for Irish companies.

The visit, Adigwe said, is part of his deliberate strategy to reach out to potential collaborators in order to explore possible ways to harness Nigeria’s potentials of becoming the Pharma hub of in Africa.

While giving a brief of the feat NIPRD had achieved over the years, Dr. Adigwe explained that the Institute has developed indigenous natural resources and  also developed medicinal molecules use in the management of diseases afflicting Nigerians and Africans at large.

He further disclosed that NIPRD has introduced a new innovation christened- Contextual Processing Protocol (CPP)  used to harness natural resources.

The institute, he revealed, is undertaking a research aimed at improving drug distribution modalities within the country.

Dr. Adigwe reiterated that Ireland has the ability to attract the best of pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing companies in Europe and indeed globally,  and therefore called for stronger partnership to enable NIPRD actualize its mandate in Nigeria.

Speaking, the Ireland Ambassador in Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Sean Hoy, applauded the NIPRD Director General for his efforts in rebranding the Institute for optimal performance.

While commending Dr. Adigwe for his commitment towards cementing an enduring relationship between NIPRD and Ireland, Hoy assured that there would be follow up discussions  for sustained beneficial engagements.

The Ambassador expressed his commitment to partner with NIPRD in order to encourage local capacity developments in key healthcare related areas.