Roland Ogbonnaya
9 December 2007
Lagos — Nestled on an expanse land at Idu, a dusty outskirt of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FTC), the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) is central to Nigeria's quest to produce its own drugs for various ailments. But due to a lot of factors, the research centre has done much in this direction in the past.
There was lot of factors that contributed to near prostrate position of the research centre in the past. One of them is the starving of funds by the Federal Government as well as lack of focus on the part of the past leadership of the centre even when it is endowed with some of the best research pharmacists.
The institute, since inception in 1989 has been operating from temporary structures provided for it by the engineering department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The structures were originally designed for temporary field offices and their conversion to laboratories was without the necessary adjustment in infrastructural support in terms of utilities and space. By 1999, the temporary buildings were in terrible state of disrepair with damaged doors, leaking and collapsed roofs, cracked wall, faulty electrical systems increasing the fire hazard and virtual absence of toilet facilities.
In the laboratories, furniture had collapsed with the plumbing system in appalling condition and in a state of untidiness and unsafe for workers. It also resulted in damage to some of the most critical and valuable equipment in the institute. According to THISDAY investigation, it was so bad at a point when virtually all of the research equipment broke down. The location of the institute with poor power and water supply situation and reasons of poor maintenance of generators, water pumps and other ancillary equipment contributed to the poor performance of the centre.
In addition to these entire myriad of problems was also lack of funds. Before now, NIPRD was faced with the dual problem of poor allocation, unpredictable pattern of release and in some cases non-release of the funds. The attitude was that of considering research as being of low priority and at best an expensive luxury which could wait until more important economic issues have been completely tackled. As a result, the institute was completely shut out of the budget planning process. Where some funds were approved, the process of actually accessing such funds was chaotic and unpredictable.
Apart from needing a responsible government to change things, it also requires a sound and focused manager to turn things around; and that is what has happened at NIPRD. With the visionary and purposeful leadership of the Director General, Dr. Uford Inyang, the institute is on the part of performing its statutory objectives. Apart from renovating the dilapidated structures, the team led by Inyang, one of the foremost Nigerian pharmacists, built some other structures that served as laboratories and offices.
Since he took over the running of the research centre, NIPRD has been able to carry out preliminary laboratory investigations on a number of phytomedicines for the treatment/management of fungal infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS and peptic ulcer amongst others. This was done at the same time when a large numbers of research staff were trained locally and internationally.
"As would be expected with the entire challenges outlined, the research output of the institute during this period was quite low. It was also unable to attract much collaborative research activities in spite of the fact that it had achieved some reasonable level of international attention. Even the sickle cell project which had received a lot of publicity and on which significant work had been done was stalled before the coming of my administration," Inyang told THISDAY in an interview in his office in Abuja recently.
He said since 1999 and especially, the institution of due process mechanism, the release of funds of approved budgetary provisions has been smooth and consistent, making it possible to plan, execute and most especially complete projects. The institute has also been involved in the various meetings to determine budgetary priorities where it has continually made the case for improved funding for pharmaceutical research and development. "So although funding is still far from the level desired, there are now more opportunities to make input which has resulted in slight improvement in the funding situation.
"Although all efforts to obtain funding to ensure completion of the laboratory complex in the institute have been unsuccessful so far, the present administration has provided funds for the total rehabilitation of the existing laboratory buildings and premises of the institute. Two buildings have been completed and commissioned to provide additional laboratory space which will encourage further collaboration with the international scientific community. These buildings have been provided with necessary laboratory infrastructure, such as benches, offices, fume, cupboards and ancillary services to make them fully functional as research laboratories," Inyang said.
In addition, new highly sensitive research equipment was purchased to enhance research output and ensure that results obtained in the institute meet internationally accepted standards. Such equipment purchased include complete high performance liquid chromatography set with all required accessories which is used mainly in drug quality analyses, a full set of Kent cardiovascular equipment for cardiovascular research, a PCR and flow cytometre for use in HIV/AIDS research, an FTIR for use in structure elucidation and differential scanning calorimeter for use in raw materials development.
The drug manufacturing unit has also been fully renovated to meet NAFDAC's regulatory standards with a view to obtain registration for the place as a certified drug manufacturing concern. Inyang also disclosed that the equipment have been renovated with additional equipment acquired to increase efficiency. He said the extractive pilot plant which was virtually moribund due to the faulty boiler was resituated recently and is now able to produce aromatic plant fragrances. It now works as a bulk extractor and extract concentrator, the institute's director general told THISDAY.
At the commissioning of the new laboratory facilities recently, the Minister of Health, Prof. Adenike Grange who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Chief Gabriel Aduku, an architect, said a great need exist for rallying support to NIPRD for new drug discovery and development. He emphasised that the institute's scientists have participated in the discovery and development of new phyto-pharmaceutical that is currently being marketed and are working on more drugs for diabetes, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and ulcer amongst others. He further explained that NIPRD has a well developed capacity and valued national and international partnership with highly respected organisations like the National Institute of Health (NIH). Aduku told the audience that the institute has the intellectual capacity and expertise to manage their projects coupled with strong and dedicated team of researchers.
"There are potential social, political and economic benefits that a country derives from pharmaceutical research and development such as establishment of high value added, high technology sector and industry diversification; contribution to economic growth and trade surplus; development and commercialisation of public sector research; high quality jobs; reduction in brain drain; contribution to the global public good and improved healthcare through access to newer medicines amongst others," the minister stressed.
Aduku therefore appealed to Nigerian pharmaceutical businessmen, international investors and other interested individuals to come and invest in the establishment of chemical industry for the production of pharmaceutical (chemicals) ingredients for drugs. He said this could be in the spirit of the new policy on public private partnership (PPP) or any other arrangement to be negotiated and agreed with the government.
"We cannot continue to depend on imported finished pharmaceutical products and 100 per cent of API any more. NIPRD must be encouraged to research and develop pharmaceutical raw materials. Its work on the development of microcrystalline cellulose for use as an incipient in drug manufacturing in partnership with Howard University is highly commendable and represents a step in the right direction.
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