http://www.burumo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=418:sickle-cell-sufferers-in-nigeria-get-reprieve-as-xechem-resumes-production-of-sickle-cell-drug-&catid=29:headline-news&Itemid=62

ickle-Cell sufferers in Nigeria get reprieve …as Xechem resumes production of sickle cell drug
Wednesday, 18 May 2011 10:27
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Nigerians suffering from Sickle-Cell disease can now heave a sigh of relief as one of the drugs used for its management becomes available again in Nigeria.
Xechem International pharmaceutical company, will resume the production of Niprisan, a sickle cell drug, in Nigeria in 30 days’ time, Mr Roberts Orya, Managing Director, Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), has said.
Orya said the bank had committed more than N700 million to achieve the objective.
On Oct. 4, 2005, the European Medicine Evaluation Agency approved the production of Niprisan (Nicosan) by Xechem International Incorporation, for the treatment of sickle cell disease.
Investigations reveal that Xechem International was forced to stop the production of the drug due to its inability to repay a syndicated loan by NEXIM, Bank PHB and Diamond Bank for the purpose.
Orya said NEXIM was committed to the production of the drug to address the plight of those who suffer from sickle cell anemia in the country and in other parts of the world.
He said, ``NEXIM’s commitment is total as we look at it from the perspective of the social and economic gains’’
Orya, however, revealed that the bank would focus more on saving the lives of the many Nigerians suffering from sickle cell anemia, than on the monetary gains.
He said that an Interim Management and Evaluation Committee set up on the ``NIPRISAN Project’’, would soon be inaugurated to look at the modalities for the production of the drug.
Nicosan is made from four botanical species indigenous to Nigeria where it is manufactured.

somebody please say something

Sorry, I don't know what to say, though I wish I knew. But wait, some people who have something sensible to say will soon respond. Ma binu.

It's been said a number times over the last year and I've been very skeptical every time I've heard it, but production of Niprisan should resume within the next two months. I believe it'll be within a month, but that's just me. There has been so many problems getting production restarted, but the bottom line is that NIPRD is ready to move forward, I believe they have an agreement with NEXIM in place and that all the legal battles are behind them (or so we should all hope...).

The product will be returned to its original name "Niprisan", since they believe that using Nicosan will be an issue, and production will initially be handled at the pilot plant facility at NIPRD under the direction of NIPRD staff.

thanks for the update.
please, let us know once you get any word on this.

We should be seeing production in limited quantities within a short period of time, with capacity increasing in a slow, but calculated fashion. I know that there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes and the production facility is being prepared for NAFDAC to sign off on it, but no one knows just how long that'll take to accomplish. There is positive movement and they want to make sure everything is done right.

Have u heard abt dioscovite. Someone told me that its good

Yes, im aware of it as a replacement drug. But, nicosan is a more preferred drug which is still unavailable.
What will we not play ludo with in this country

Please, has production of Nicosan resumed yet?