Olufemi Atoyebi, Abuja

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday called on the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development to expand the pharmaceutical sector to ensure the development of local content.

Osinbajo spoke at the NIPRD Health Engagement Education Access Discourse in Abuja.

In his address, which was read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Abdullaziz Abdullahi, Osinbajo said, “In view of the steps taken by the Muhammadu Buhari administration towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage, the expansion of the sector will ensure national economic growth, prosperity and address new challenges in the health sector.

“The discourse is timely and the institute is assured of Federal Government’s support in all its strides towards achieving its mission and mandate.”

The Director General of the NIPRD, Dr Obi Adigwe, said the programme was a direct response to the institute’s mandate to collect, collate and analyse data as well as ensuring its comprehensive and timely dissemination.

According to him, the programme will have a positive impact on socio-economic variables and job creation.

He said, “The approach will ensure a robust and comprehensive engagement with seminal and topical issues in a manner that is contextual enough to expeditiously impact on the health of Nigerians.

“The approach will make a significant impact on relevant socio-economic variables, while prioritising job creation, knowledge transfer and revenue generation.”