FEC approves N9.99bn for HIV drugs, cancer centre upgrades
The Federal Executive Council has approved N9.99 billion for the procurement of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS and the upgrade of cancer treatment facilities across the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, announced the approvals on Wednesday after the council’s meeting at the State House in Abuja.
According to the minister, the funding will address earlier concerns about a potential shortage of ARV drugs in Nigeria.
“Earlier in the year, there was some anxiety that Nigeria was going to run out of ARVs. With this approval, that anxiety is laid to rest,” Salako said.
The contract for the procurement of the antiretroviral drugs, valued at N9.99 billion, was awarded to Fidson Healthcare under the presidential treatment programme for people living with HIV and AIDS.
Salako said the decision aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s policy to strengthen the local healthcare value chain by supporting domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers working in partnership with global brands.
He noted that Fidson represents Hetero in Nigeria and is working towards establishing local production capacity for ARVs.
“One of the key elements of trying to drive local production is to invest. When you provide revenue, the government is patronising them. That creates revenue, that creates a market, and then that encourages them to also invest in additional capacity,” the minister said, adding that the company is making efforts to commence in-country manufacturing of the drugs.
