Abuja: DCL Laboratory Products Limited on Friday commended Nigeria’s medical regulatory bodies for improving health sector standards, reducing substandard products, and enforcing regulations. Dr. Okechukwu Anyanwu, General Manager and Chairman of the laboratory firm, made the commendation during the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebration in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Anyanwu praised the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Medical and Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLCN), saying all regulatory bodies have done a great job in improving standards in the health sector. Anyanwu said that before the arrival of regulators, there were many irregularities in manufacturing and sales of medical items.
“We are not just celebrating 20 years of our laboratory, we are also celebrating 20 years of improvement in diagnosis in Nigeria,” he stated. He highlighted the past issues where laboratory products were improperly stored in markets, emphasizing the importance of proper storage for lab reagents to ensure reliable test results and safeguard patient health.
He further noted that such irregularities ultimately affect the health of the population, while commending regulatory bodies for the policy measures embedded in the system. Anyanwu also called for the deployment of health experts to ensure a seamless administration of duties on medical goods.
The firm’s chairman also appreciated government efforts to encourage local pharmaceutical production and provide an enabling environment, viewing these policies as ‘in the right direction.’
Additionally, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, commended DCL Laboratory for supporting the development of the health sector and making quality products available. Represented by Okpikpi Okpako, Director, Federal Medical Centre with the ministry, Salako noted that the government cannot develop the health sector alone and welcomed the contributions of private-sector partners. He called on other private-sector companies to emulate the example set by DCL Laboratory Limited.