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A Peek into Phamatex State-Of-The-Art Facilities As The Management Of Sun Visit The Pharmaceutical Giant In Lagos (Photos)


Prince Christopher Obiora Nebe, managing director of Phamatex Industries Ltd ) recently received media guests from Sun Newspaper in his state-of-the-art drug manufacturing facility in Lagos.

The delegation from Sun Newspaper was led by the deputy managing director of the Newspaper, Mr Steve Nwosu.

Phamatex opened its doors in 2010 in the Nigeria’s drug manufacturing scene with a very strong objective to manufacture quality pharmaceutical products and market them in Nigeria and across the West African sub region. They are uniquely positioned to capitalize on Nigerian drug’s status as the fastest growing organization in its category despite all harsh economic standards and unfriendly policies.


Notwithstanding the harsh economic environment and unfriendly government policies, Nebe was determined to make his mark in his chosen profession with a view to saving lives and uplifting the society. Less than five years into drug manufacturing, Phamatex is seen towering above a host of companies that existed years before it, drawing attention to its relentless effort towards quality achieved through excellent GMP and state-of-the-art facilities/equipment in Lagos.


Nebe listed some of the challenges of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector to include exchange rate instability, heavy import duty/taxes and deficiency of infrastructure in Nigeria, among others.

“While building Phamatex certainly has been a labor of love, I’ve always wondered how simpler it would be with certain standard practices in place. For me, it has always been non-negotiable to bring an analytical eye to the process, and a vision for Phamatex as a drug-manufacturing brand beyond the national is a driver enough for us. However, we’ve held back on expansion for years in order to prove our concept and work through every aspect of our business,” observes Nebe. “What’s exciting for everyone is that Phamatex hasn’t even begun to tap into what’s possible using the abundant of resources and vision at its disposal.”



Phamatex builds on familiar offerings including Paratex for pain relief and Lumapil for Malaria, elevating them into something extraordinary. While Phamatex sometimes pushes the envelope to get only the best, everything is rooted in the superb techniques and combinations that have stood the test of time. It has a host of other life-saving drugs on its list as well, with about over 40 products registered.

Nebe’s concept is perfectly attuned to upmarket customers who are increasingly seeking out standard products for all their health needs. Phamatex has met the challenge of being in the weeds every day with smart, demanding customers who want unique, freshly prepared options, but who often don’t have a great deal of time to research and choose the right fit for it.

Points of differentiation:

· A far-reaching brand concept along with proprietary essence profiles dramatically distinguish Phamatex from everything else out there—and position the company as a long distance runner.

· A full-on option centered on major health challenges. Anti-malaria, pain relievers—and specialty drugs in-between give potential consumers an invaluable full day of potential relief and satisfaction beyond measure.

· Vision (or commitment) is what makes practically every Phamatex drug item stand out from the competition. They’re made on the premise, with techniques that are tested and proven, if not impossible to replicate elsewhere.

· The People: Phamatex aims to be the preferred provider of excellent pharmaceutical brands recognized for best practices, and it seeks to achieve this with a team of highly motivated professionals of diverse background that consistently create value to surpass customer expectation.

· A better vibe: Phamatex’s design aesthetic provides an atmosphere that that consumers can trust to churn out only the best. This makes Phamatex a more viable option for everyday prescription drugs and for people who simply want to deal with their health challenges head-on.
Influencers and Decision-Makers are already won over:

Influencers and decision makers who watch the drug manufacturing scenes keenly know that great things seldom happen when random ingredients are simply thrown into the production of standard products. Phamatex is all about quality ingredients, but it’s also about taking those extra steps that makes all the difference. Still in its effort to rise about obstacles and manufacture the very best, the organization collaborates with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to fight the imitation and epidemic.

In the past, drugs hardly went through these standard processes in this part of the world—and may have even been known to have challenges doing exactly what they’re designed to do. A Phamatex drug means going the extra mile every step of the way in order to add important extra layers of success.

Since its establishment in 2012, Phamatex has been able to offer extraordinary drugs in a considerably more attractive setting while maintaining efficient manufacturing and labor costs that are enviable within the industry. Phamatex is the perfect marriage of good investments and the acumen Nebe gained as the sole representative of a multinational pharmaceutical company in Nigeria – Hovid Industries – before he ventured into drug manufacturing business, five years ago.

Working tirelessly to clinch a WHO rating, the organization continues to churn out remarkably excellent choice for all. The organization remains unflinching in its resolve to become a leading provider of pharmaceutical products and service with an international outlook, bringing innovative solutions to customers around the world.

See more photos from the visit:

cc:lalasticlala

Managing Director of Pharmatex Industries, Prince Christopher Obiora Nebe, was the sole representative of a multinational pharmaceutical company in Nigeria – Hovid Industries – before he ventured into drug manufacturing business, five years ago.

Notwithstanding the harsh economic environment and unfriendly government policies, Nebe was determined to make his mark in his chosen profession with a view to saving lives and uplifting the society.

Less than five years into drug manufacturing, Pharmatex has towered above some companies that existed years before it with its state-of-the-art facilities in Lagos.

Nebe listed some of the challenges of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector to include exchange rate instability, heavy import duty/taxes and deficiency of infrastructure in Nigeria, among others. Excerpts:


Exchange rate challenges facing industries

Yes, Naira exchange rate has been hectic. Initially, when we started this business, it was fine because there was stability in exchange rate and you can work with a stable rate, whether high or low. But let it be stable. Stability matters. But when you don’t know what the exchange rate will be, how do you plan? In the last two years, it has been terrible. We have managed to scale through but a lot of people closed up, while others retrenched some staff. We were just managing, struggling but it was tough for us to really manage the situation. So, I think the issue of rate stability is important. It was fine before now. The problem started two years ago. Right now, it is becoming stable and things are coming back to normalcy.

Breaking even in the face of daunting challenges

Terrible obstacles. It is suicidal. It was not very easy to survive the last two years. Some people folded up but we were just able to manage ourselves. Besides, you are fighting this along with power challenges. It is more difficult for some of us that are into importation and manufacturing. It was terrible because all our raw materials are imported.

Can you quantify your loss in naira and kobo?

It runs into millions and I cannot put a figure to it. We cannot quantify it. But I think it is in millions.

Doing business in the ports

Doing business in Nigerian ports has been terrible. Everywhere is blocked and nobody is saying anything about it. The Apapa Port is closed. How can you go to Apapa? Cost of transporting goods now from the ports is about N350,000 for one trailer. It used to be N50,000. The trailers will stay on the road for almost four days before they can get to their destination. So, all these things are costs to the importer and manufacturer because they have to bring in these things before they start manufacturing.

Glut of anti-malaria drugs in the market

So many of these drugs are imported. Importation of anti-malaria drugs is necessary because malaria is very rampant in Nigeria. Trust Nigerians; once they hear that there is money anywhere, they rush. Everybody is looking for money. So, you have so many manufacturers and there are no buyers.

Problem of quacks

There are a lot of quacks and fake drugs and we are the victims. We spend millions of naira chasing fakers all over Nigeria. You know we are exclusive agents to Hovid (a multinational pharmaceutical company) products in Nigeria and we have represented them for 30 years now.

Effect of import policies on industries

Policies are not right. Import policies for manufacturers are killing local manufacturers. For example, manufacturers should be given incentives. We are the employers of labour. How can you employ about 200 to 300 people and the government is not giving you encouragement. The government should ensure manufacturers are given foreign exchange any time they want it. In fact, they should be giving manufacturers incentives. We have what we call PMG at MAN. This is an arm of our manufacturing unit in Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). The issue is that you must work through them. They know the real manufacturers. If you don’t go through them, many things will enter the wrong hands.

Coping with high import duties

Manufacturers are supposed to be given zero import duty because we are giving people employment. We have to be given incentives. Made-in-Nigeria goods are also having problems. Some people prefer foreign-made goods. But what is in foreign goods is also here.

Are there no waivers for manufacturers for duties and taxes?

There are no waivers. Instead, they are increasing the duties on imported goods and raw materials everyday. For instance, we are not supposed to pay VAT but they introduced VAT. How can you say you are introducing VAT for somebody who is employing people and putting food on their table by the employments he is creating and taking people off the streets of Nigeria. We are supposed to be given concessions. There is this National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). They say we should be paying for NESREA. How can we be paying for NESREA? Most the products NESREA is collecting money on are not worth it. How can NESREA collect money on paracetamol? What is harmful in paracetamol raw materials? This is an additional levy to the manufacturers because, apart from VAT, we now pay for NESERA.

Your star products

We have Paratex. We have Lumapil for malaria. We have other life-saving drugs on our list. We registered over 40 products. You know, we just came into the market four, five years ago. So, we met others in the market and it was not easy breaking through. We are trying to force our way through our intensive marketing strategy.

Collaboration with NAFDAC

We collaborate with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). But these people (fakers) are not visible. They will smuggle their products into the market – both in Onitsha and Lagos market. Before you catch them, you must spend a lot of money. But NAFDAC will tell you that the law on fake products is not effective since nobody has gone to jail for faking products.

When you catch them, what do you do to them?

When we catch them, we lock them up to know their source of supply so that we can close it. So, it is not very easy. You close one source, they open another one. They also bring these products from Ghana. If Hovid has another distributor in Ghana and they go there and bring it, it is still fake because we are the ones that registered it in Nigeria. But there are real fakes too, from China.

Apart from VAT, which other tax is hindering your performance?

Payment for NESREA should be scrapped. There should be no VAT and it should be zero-duty. Go to India, there are lots of incentives for manufacturers. They (government) could give power rebate. You may not pay for light for 10 years. They can give you land free of charge to establish your industry. That five per cent VAT is not necessary. If you are not encouraging the manufacturing sector, you are not going anywhere. The government should deal with PMG MAN. PMG knows the number of pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria. If you want to get foreign exchange, you go through them.

Manufacturers closing shop or relocating from Nigeria

You can see the enormous investment here. By the time you go inside the factory you see what we are talking about. When you borrow money from the bank to establish these things and the environment is harsh, what do you do? If you borrow money to establish your factory under a harsh condition, how do you pay back? As I speak to you, some other companies are having issues now.

Effect of lack of infrastructure



I think there is need for them to look at the manufacturing sector and know where to encourage them.

Manufacturing for export

We have not started. We are trying to do that. It is in view now.

What about other drugs. I know only paratex?

The issue is that you can only advertise over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. But you work through the doctors for other drugs. We have pharmacists all over the country working through the doctors to create awareness about the drugs.

Power

We have power problem, although we have gas plant and we used to get gas from Gaslink. They generate to us and we transmit through our gas plant. We were enjoying light for two years but at a point, this Niger Delta problem started. So, for two to three years now there is no light. We went back to diesel and diesel is a killer.

Power spend

We spend more than N10 million monthly on diesel and that affects the cost of production and cost of goods which is also the reason imported products are cheaper.

What is your take on cancer. Is it real or factory-manufactured thing?

There have been a divided school of thought on this matter. Some claim that there is nothing like cancer. In reality, we know that there is cancer. What is cancer? Cancer is a cell that is supposed to be normal but started dividing abnormally to the extent that you cannot control it. There is a scientific evidence. Dr. Carl Meyer, who is one of the major proponents has his drugs, which he claimed is from herbal origin. He is saying that there is nothing like cancer as claimed by the big manufacturers. But why is he producing drugs to treat cancer? I have friends that are oncologists in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and also in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. The occurrence of breast cancer is known to everybody.

The cervical cancer is known to everybody. Why are we always having issues of cervical screening for women which are being proposed by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)?



Which ailments are the biggest killers in Nigeria and whose drugs are in high demand?

The incidence of cancer is becoming rampant now. We still have the stroke issue. It is very high. The age range for high blood pressure differs. As one ages, the range of blood pressure increases. But when it is above the normal level, there is a problem. In this part of the world where we are looking for what to eat, how do we go for check-up? The issue of high blood pressure now leading to strike is high.



Diabetes

It is coming up. There are so many things that are not supposed to be killing us. You have the incidence of malaria. Of course, if you hear about the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics of mortality rate of children, pregnant women and other adults, it is still alarming. We are trying to promote Lumapil to make sure it penetrates the rural areas so that such occurrences are minimised.



WHO rating for your products

We are working seriously. Two of my members are just coming from Copenhagen, Denmark. We are very serious about it and by His grace, we will get it. We are looking at next year.



Is the rating for the factory or for the products?

You will have to qualify for one product. It is for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), which a few other companies have including May & Baker. It is also related to the product you have to qualify yourself with. Then you have to also be working on those products and they are making it compulsory now that you must qualify on those products before you are given the GMP. They are making it tougher. That is why we didn’t get it this year. We have to do a lot of things again. So, we are hoping by next year we will get it. Your laboratory has to be qualified. You have to buy a lot of equipment. They check a lot of things before they qualify you.

Credit:http://sunnewsonline.com/multiple-taxation-duties-killing-nigerian-manufacturers-nebe-pharmatex-md/

It is no longer news that over a million deaths from Malaria are being recorded yearly and the number of new cases surmounts at a much higher rate. You would think that with such numbers, effective measures would be put in place to ensure that this endemic will be stopped, or at least contained. Prominently ravaging lives in Africa, Asia and Latin America, medical professionals continually urge Nigerians to stock up on prescribed anti-malarial drugs in order to combat this widespread illness.

However, this is what we have found, many prescribed anti-malarial drugs are either challenged by their poor tolerability or the tendency to cause distinct side effects amongst users, and more often than not, they are too bitter and end up pushing the already sick patient to throw up when used.

Knowing all of these, and considering greatly how important it is to contain Malaria in our part of the world, we recently found this product - Lumapil by Pharmatex Industries that easily stands out as an effective and timely solution against the prevalent subject - Malaria.

There are a ton of reasons we would pick Lumapil over any anti-malarial drugs in Nigeria right now, but we’ll stick with these three prominent ones:

Highly Effective Against Malaria: Okay, if you are not new to this part of the world then you would know how the use of some anti-malarial drugs are accompanied by generally ‘mild’ side effects including diarrhea, itching, dizziness, occasional headaches and delayed/recurring symptoms. All these are non-existent with Lumapil as you largely begin to feel relief the same day you get on the medication. And might we add that it is also easily accessible to the average Nigerian.

Odorless and Flavored For Easy Use: We also mentioned briefly earlier about how the issue of smell when it comes to medications is generally a turn off, most especially for people already knocked out by illness. This is exactly why we think Lumapil will easily toggle every other anti-malarial drug out there because it has a sweet smelling mango flavor that makes it more tolerable and easy to swallow; all important in the process of healing and recovering from Malaria. Also, some Researches have gone on to reveal that that Mango fruit and its leaves have much benefit as antimicrobial and anti-oxidants, all these makes us root for it even more.

Suitable For Children and Adults: There’s also this very important factor, as we can’t shake off the fact that a lot of drugs don’t work well across ages. Lumapil has been known to successfully work in both children and adults making it the go-to for many Malaria-conscious individuals and families.


Malaria can be battled, Malaria can be contained; ensure that you are well protected at all times. However, if you or someone you know experience malarial symptoms, try to immediately contact the nearest clinic – and always ensure the Lumapil anti-malarial drug is never too far out of your reach.