Regional manufacturing is a core part of the Accra Reset’s vision for health sovereignty, including stronger local pharmaceutical production and regional approaches to manufacturing and procurement. In Nigeria, RTSL has partnered with the government, local pharmaceutical manufacturers, and regulators since 2023 to strengthen local production and improve access to quality-assured cardiovascular medicines, with early results showing that this work has helped lower the cost of hypertension medicines in public facilities.
RTSL’s market shaping work in Nigeria has included supporting local manufacturers to strengthen Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) preparedness, quality management systems, production processes and regulatory readiness, as well as supporting drug management agencies to strengthen procurement and drug revolving fund processes.
Data from RTSL’s market-shaping efforts show that local manufacturers are offering hypertension medicines at prices up to 40% lower than those in public facilities.
In 2025, RTSL collaborated with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Quality Medicines for All (QUAMED) and local manufacturers to strengthen manufacturers’ preparedness for GMP compliance. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulators and technical experts received training in quality control, quality management systems, data integrity and production processes that support the production of affordable, quality-assured cardiovascular medicines that meet GMP standards.
Building on this work, RTSL is partnering with QUAMED to support GMP audits of selected local manufacturers of hypertension medicines and provide technical assistance to address gaps identified through the audits. The audits—scheduled to begin in November 2026—will assess manufacturers against internationally recognized quality standards and help strengthen their capacity to produce safe, effective and quality-assured medicines and expand the pool of trusted local suppliers.
RTSL is also working with states to strengthen links between local manufacturers and state procurement systems and explore opportunities to source hypertension medicines more competitively from quality-assured local suppliers.
Across Africa, more than 70% of the medicines consumed come from outside the continent. Strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing can help expand the region’s capacity to produce essential medicines and support more resilient health systems. For people living with high blood pressure, more affordable medicines can mean better access to treatment and improved blood pressure control. As more local manufacturers meet recognized quality standards, Nigeria can expand the supply of affordable, quality-assured hypertension medicines while reducing dependence on imported supplies.
RTSL will continue working with government, regulators, manufacturers and other partners to strengthen local production and improve access to affordable, quality-assured hypertension medicines in Nigeria.
