As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Malaria Day 2026, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has called for urgent investments in local drug manufacturing, warning that the country cannot eliminate malaria without strengthening its pharmaceutical base.
In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the company said Nigeria’s heavy malaria burden requires a shift from reliance on imported medicines to a more resilient, self-sufficient system driven by domestic production and innovation.
Citing data from the World Health Organisation, Emzor noted that Nigeria accounts for about 27 per cent of global malaria cases and nearly one in three malaria-related deaths, with children under five bearing the greatest risk.
The firm stressed that improving access to effective, child-friendly treatments must be prioritised, describing it as both a medical necessity and a moral obligation.
Speaking, Executive Director of Emzor, Uzoma Ezeoke, said local manufacturing had become central to Nigeria’s health security and the long-term sustainability of malaria control efforts.
“Local manufacturing is no longer optional, it is central to our national health security, economic stability, and the long-term sustainability of malaria control efforts. To truly end malaria, we must close identified critical access gaps. This means building a system where we produce high-quality, WHO-compliant antimalarials right here at home, protecting our patients from the volatility of global supply chain disruptions,” she said.
The company emphasised that, beyond producing finished medicines, Nigeria must also invest in the local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, noting that dependence on imported raw materials continues to weaken the supply chain.
Also, Chairman of Emzor Group, Emeka Okoli, described local API production as the next frontier in Africa’s pharmaceutical development.
“Ending malaria in a sustainable way requires more than expanding access to medicines; it requires building the foundation of pharmaceutical independence. Local manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients is the next frontier for Nigeria and Africa. At Emzor, we believe that investing in API capability is not just an industrial goal; it is a public health imperative and a critical step toward a malaria-free future,” he said.
The firm also highlighted its efforts to improve access to treatment for vulnerable groups, particularly children and pregnant women.
It noted that its dispersible antimalarial tablets, designed for children aged three months to five years, dissolve easily in water or milk, making them easier to administer and improving adherence to treatment.
Ezeoke added that the company’s approach goes beyond manufacturing to developing practical solutions tailored to real-world healthcare challenges.
“Malaria continues to place a heavy burden on our most vulnerable populations, and our response must reflect that reality. At Emzor, we are not only committed to manufacturing high-quality medicines but also to innovating for real-world use. These solutions go beyond being just products; they represent a broader responsibility to ensure that proven, high-quality treatments are accessible, practical, and effective for the populations who need them most, especially children and pregnant women,” she said.
Emzor, however, stressed that eliminating malaria in Nigeria would require coordinated efforts across government, private sector, and development partners.
Okoli urged policymakers and investors to prioritise funding for pharmaceutical infrastructure and policies that support innovation and capacity building.
“Now is the time to move from commitment to execution. The theme ‘Now We Can. Now We Must’ reflects both an opportunity and an obligation. With the right investments, policy support, and collaborative partnerships, Nigeria can lead Africa in building a self-reliant pharmaceutical sector capable of ending malaria. Now we can end malaria. Now we must act, decisively, collaboratively, and at scale,” he said.
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