When a pandemic hits, countries that can only import medicine wait in line. This licence is about not waiting.
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), through a voluntary licence with Roche, has selected 11 manufacturers in nine countries to make generic baloxavir marboxil, an influenza antiviral. The countries are Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam. Fidson Healthcare Plc is Nigeria’s pick.
What Fidson gets
Fidson will develop and manufacture the drug for 129 countries, with access to technical data, reference products for bioequivalence studies and regulatory support, but only after regulatory authorisation. No production timeline was announced, so patients should not expect Nigerian-made supply soon.
Why it matters
MPP Executive Director Charles Gore said the approach builds “a more geographically diverse and resilient supply base”. Fidson CEO Biola Adebayo called the selection “both an honour and a validation” of its commitment to quality-assured manufacturing.
I could not open the Punch report you linked because the site blocked access, so this draws on Premium Times coverage of the same announcement.
What You Can Do
- Get your flu shot where available. Prevention beats any antiviral.
- See a doctor early for flu symptoms with high fever, breathlessness or in high-risk groups.
- Do not self-prescribe antivirals. They need a professional’s assessment.
- Watch for the approvals. Local production only helps once regulators clear it.
The Health Factor Africa
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