Concerned shareholders, local drug distributors and other stakeholders have appealed to the Nigerian and UK Governments to protect Nigerian patients following the scarcity of essential drugs in the country produced by GlaxoSmithKline International.
Under the auspice of The National Movement for the Actualization of Good Governance made up of professionals like lawyers, doctors, engineers, journalists, pharmacists, engineers, among others, they showed solidarity with the Nigerian shareholders in GSK Consumer Nigeria plc over alleged, deliberate non-importation of drugs by its foreign partners and the need for indigenous production of drugs.
The coalition accused GSK international and their Nigerian management team of profiteering at the expense of Nigerians’ health by deliberately limiting the supply of certain essentials drugs, noting that it is all geared at devaluing the company’s shares with a plan to shut it down and turn Nigeria into an import hub.
Founder and president of the group, Douglas Ogbankwa. a lawyer, in a statement released in Benin City, Edo State, said NAMAGG is more concerned about the fate of Nigerian Patients, who presently cannot afford some lifesaving medications and vaccines produced by GSK.
He said, “We have followed with concern the attempt of GSK International working with Nigerian collaborators to forcefully devalue the shares of GSK Nigeria by manipulating the supply of critical medicines and vaccines to GSK Consumer Nigeria Ltd.
“We have monitored the actions of GSK across Africa and are convinced that this recent supply constriction by a related party is aimed at devaluing the shares of the company with a plan to shut it down and turn Nigeria into an import hub for its drugs.
“It is really disgraceful for a global company that prides itself as a leading pharmaceutical company to disregard Africans and our desire to become sufficient in medicines and vaccines. Instead, they want us to remain dependent on our colonial masters for critical medicines supply.”
Continuing, he said, “This is very personal for me, as my relatives and family friends are asthmatic and they are currently unable to get asthma medication – Ventolin for themselves. If this is not racism, then tell me what else can be used to explain this level of disregard for Nigerians and Africans?
“I can tell you for free that young girls who have taken the Cervarix vaccine from GSK are unsure when their second dose will be available. How can a foreign company treat Nigerians like this? I really hope the Federal government can call them to order as no Nigerian should suffer for GSK international and their Nigerian management team’s love for profit at the expense of Nigerians.
“In my view, this is blood money and like blood diamonds, the Nigerian and the UK governments should call GSK international and their management in Nigeria to order immediately. We are more concerned about the fate of Nigerian Patients, who currently are unable to afford lifesaving medicines and vaccines produced by GSK. “
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