PSN Seeks More Funding For NIPRID
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, has called on the Federal Government to pay more attention to the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRID, to enable it operate optimally and meet the healthcare needs of Nigerians.
The Society has also launched a Foundation to reaffirm its commitment to service to humanity and professional excellence.
Making the call when he unveiled a monument donated by PSN to NIPRID in Abuja, the President of PSN, Pharm. Ahmed Yak assai said the research institute aside discovering drugs, has been doing a lot of research on HIV, sickle cell anaemia, biological products, as well as striving to ensure international standards and transfer of technology from collaboration with international organizations.
He said the centre was in dire need of electricity to incubate products and power laboratory equipment some of which were donated by international organizations; needs funds to produce drugs in commercial quantities, equip laboratories as well as further international accreditation, among others.
Director General of NIPRID, Prof. Karynius Gamaliel said the research institute could do more than its present achievements if it was properly funded.
“We are operating at 40 to 55 percent capacity especially in the area of infrastructure and funding. If we have support, this institute will do a lot not only in area of healthcare but the economy of the country; and generate employment and foreign exchange,” he said.
“Unveiling of the monument by PSN was significant because it was the society that initiated the establishment of the institute in 1987 through a memo to the federal government as well as a donation of seed money to the institute to encourage its takeoff”
On its Foundation, the PSN, President, Ahmed Yakassai said even before now PSN has contributed immensely to the advancement of the health sector and national development in the last 90 years.
“The success story of PSN-PACHFaH (Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health) testifies to the impact the Society has made in advancing child and family health through advocacy”
