On World Malaria Day, Emzor Stresses Importance of Domestic Medications and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Eradicating the Illness

As the globe observes the 2026 World Malaria Day, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited emphasizes that increasing local drug production and investing in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, APIs, are vital to eradicating malaria in Nigeria, which carries the largest global burden of the disease, accounting for about 27 per cent of global malaria cases and nearly one in three malaria-related deaths.

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According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, children under five are the most susceptible to the disease, and Emzor notes that Nigeria's high malaria rates are a pressing concern that requires immediate attention and action.

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Uzoma Ezeoke, Executive Director of Emzor, stresses that achieving malaria elimination demands more than sporadic interventions, highlighting the need for a robust health system anchored on local pharmaceutical capacity to ensure sustained malaria control efforts.

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Ezeoke asserts that local manufacturing is now a necessity for national health security and the sustainability of malaria control efforts, adding that a system must be established where high-quality, WHO-compliant antimalarials are produced locally to bridge access gaps and shield against global supply disruptions.

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Emzor underscores that eliminating malaria will necessitate coordinated action across government, policymakers, development partners, and private sector investors, requiring a collaborative approach to tackle the disease effectively.

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Emeka Okoli, Chairman of Emzor Group, describes local production of APIs as the "next frontier" in Nigeria's fight against malaria, emphasizing that ending malaria sustainably requires pharmaceutical independence.

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Okoli notes that investing in API manufacturing will strengthen the entire value chain, reduce reliance on imports, and position Nigeria as a regional hub, ensuring consistent access to life-saving medicines and creating jobs while guaranteeing stricter quality control in line with international standards.

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Emzor highlights its contributions to expanding access to WHO-compliant antimalarial medicines, including child-friendly dispersible formulations designed to improve adherence and treatment outcomes among young children, emphasizing the need for practical, accessible, and effective medicines for vulnerable populations.

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Ezeoke adds that malaria continues to place a heavy burden on the most vulnerable populations, and the response must reflect this reality, focusing on producing medicines that are not only available but also practical and effective for those who need them most, especially children and pregnant women.

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The company also emphasizes the importance of preventive therapies for pregnant women to reduce complications for both mothers and their babies, underscoring the need for proactive measures to protect this vulnerable group.

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Okoli urges that now is the time to transition from commitment to execution, stating that with the right investments and partnerships, Nigeria can build a self-reliant pharmaceutical sector capable of ending malaria, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address this pressing health concern.