Lagos: The pharmaceutical giant, May and Baker Nigeria Plc., has identified hypertension treatment as a ‘lifetime medication’, calling for Federal Government’s interventions to reduce cost of its drugs to enhance access. May and Baker Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Patrick Ajah, made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ajah spoke during a health walk organized by the company in commemoration of the 2026 World Hypertension Day, themed ‘Controlling Hypertension Together’. World Hypertension Day is celebrated annually on May 17 to raise global awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure, often termed the ‘silent killer’. Ajah emphasized the need for consistency in taking blood pressure medications, explaining that antihypertensive drugs are lifetime medications. He noted that the high cost of drugs, mainly manufactured by multinational companies, makes them unaffordable for many people.
Ajah, a pharmacist, expressed concern over situations where hypertensive patients stop taking medication once they notice improvement, stressing that people should understand that antihypertensive drugs are lifetime medications. He urged the Federal Government to support local manufacturers with interventions and incentives to enable them to produce affordable products for Nigerians.
Ajah highlighted the potential cost savings for patients purchasing locally manufactured brands, which could be 30 to 40 percent cheaper than multinational products. He identified challenges such as costs of raw materials, clearance duties, loan facilities, and power supply as major hurdles for local manufacturers. However, he acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts in granting duty-free imports of raw materials, helping reduce production costs by 10 to 15 percent.
Ajah also mentioned the Bank of Industry’s role in providing loan facilities at rates lower than commercial interest rates, aiding local manufacturers. Despite these efforts, he believes more government assistance is needed, particularly in providing loans to encourage local production of essential medicines like hypertension and diabetes drugs.
Ajah pointed out that diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing hypertension, often leading to sudden deaths among those with both conditions. He emphasized the importance of frequent management by doctors for such individuals. Stress, a major factor in hypertension, exacerbates the condition, leading to ailments like stroke and diabetes. Ajah urged Nigerians to learn how to prevent and manage stress to ensure their wellbeing.