The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, has said the federal government is collaborating with various partners, including pharmaceutical companies, to reduce the costs of cancer medications and care in the country.
He stated this yesterday during the World Cancer Day Symposium organised by Project Pink Blue with the theme as ‘Economy, Tax and Cancer Control: The Exit of Pharmaceutical Companies from Nigeria’.
He said the government was reviewing the country’s pharmaceutical laws to create regulations that would encourage local production of pharmaceuticals.
The executive director of Project Pink Blue, Runcie Chidebe, expressed concern over the exit of pharma companies from Nigeria and its dire implications on the economy and the cost of cancer medications.
He said the exit of the pharmaceutical companies has caused an astronomical increase in the prices of drugs up by 200% or more.
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He said it is therefore worrisome how a population of largely poor people can keep affording life-saving medicines.
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