Xechem begins mass production of NICOSAN, anti- sickle cell drug
Folusho Akinwunmi, Abuja
Xechem pharmaceutical has announced that it would begin mass production of NICOSAN, an anti-sicklin drug for the management of sickle cell disease by the second quarter of this year.
The drug, which was developed locally, using four local herbs as the main ingredient has been approved both locally and internationally as an effective drug in management of the “Blackman disease” leaving behind no side effect.
Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, the Managing Director of Xechem, Mr. Iretiolu Oniyide disclosed that the company took the decision to mass produce the drug because of the demand for it both in Nigeria and other African Countries where sickle cell was endemic.
In Nigeria , an estimate of 4 million people are said to be sufferer of the sickle cell disease.
President Olusegun Obasanjo had last year commissioned the pilot production of the drug, while commissioning the Gamma Irradiation project situated within the Sheda science and technology complex, Abuja , also housing the Xechem pharmaceuticals.
Having been certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as a safe and potent drug, Mr. Oniyide said that flooding the market with the drug, though, through carefully regulated distribution network to cut out fakers, was the next thing on the mind of the company.
To forestall shortage, an average of 2-4 million capsules he added, would be produced daily when production got underway.
The company he said further had concluded all arrangement at ensuring adequate supply of the herbs for the production of the drug as the company was going into partnership with growers of herbs who possessed the biotechnological expertise to produce the raw materials the company needed to sustain production.
He however, berated the lack of critical skill in those aspiring to work with the company, as it relates to the production of the drug, a situation he said the company was set to correct through adequate training of manpower engaged by Xechem.
Doing this effectively he said would require of the company, establishment of pharmaceutical manufacturing training school which he disclosed, Xechem would do as soon as possible.
Assuring sufferers of sickle cell of succor when the drug goes on sale, he also assured that standard would not be compromised throughout the production and distribution process as a means of shutting out drug fakers who might want to catch-on on the popularity and efficacy of the drug to make brisk business.
The drug has already been granted an “orphan status” in the United states .
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