May & Baker urges govt to pay drug manufacturers

In order to prevent pharmaceutical firm losses and business failure, May & Baker Nigeria Plc has encouraged the Federal Government to show consistency in its pooled procurement program by paying local medication producers on time.



In honor of World Hypertension Day, Patrick Ajah, the company's managing director and chief executive officer, made this plea on Friday during the 2025 Walk for Life in Lagos.



Ajah, a member of the government's pooled procurement committee, applauded the effort to lower medicine costs but cautioned against the possibility of payment delays, which he claimed have dogged other government initiatives.



Ajah cautioned, "There should be consistency, as with many other things that the Federal Government has done." The expense of making these medications is high. We are jeopardizing our earnings when you force us to lower our prices.



He revealed that May & Baker and other businesses had previously taken part in such government-run programs but had experienced significant financial losses as a result of nonpayment.



We have been beaten in the past when we have done this because our money was not paid. The money is still dangling, and I am talking about five years now," he bemoaned.



Ajah warned that if unpaid invoices are not settled, local pharmaceutical companies may stop taking part in the program, which would negate its goal.



Because businesses are failing, we need to be sure that the government will foot the bill if we get involved. In recent years, a lot of businesses have failed. It is not good," he continued.



In order to lessen reliance on imported medications, he also urged the government to assist domestic producers, stating that stronger local capability is required due to the current economic climate.



"Instead of relying on foreign firms to care for our people, we need to improve the capacity of local companies to do so. But it will not work if you do not support the local businesses," he stated.



Ajah called the recent executive order that eliminated import taxes on raw materials used in the manufacturing of drugs a positive move.



"One of the things that they have done recently," he clarified. The government has exempted the executive order on customs duties and all of that for local producers, raw materials, and drugs. It must go on because it is excellent.



According to Ajah, the health awareness walk is a component of the company's wellness program for employees and a way to encourage Nigerians, particularly those over 40, to get regular checkups.



"Anyone over 40 should make sure." Family history and life history are both crucial, he said.



He pointed out that the company's clients and the general public report more health examinations and early diagnoses as a result of each Walk for Life campaign.



The MD said, "Every time we perform activities like this, you will see a tick in the amount of individuals going to hospitals and doing checks," the head of May & Baker claimed.



“For our client base, we’re likely going to see at least two per cent of people showing up to check their blood pressure, and that could translate to the number of requests that we’ll get.”



In order to increase public awareness of preventive healthcare, Ajah reiterated May & Baker's dedication to holding the walk every year.