The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) is a Federal Government Parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health. The Agency was established by Government Order No. 33 Vol. 74 of 11th June 1987 Part B under the Science and Technology Act Cap 276. It became functional in the year 1989. In 2001 following a Federal Executive Council decision, NIPRD was moved to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), with a huge investment in scientific equipment and human resources.
NIPRD is the only one of its kind in the Region, and is statutorily charged with the responsibility for research and development of drugs, vaccines, phytomedicines, commodities, and diagnostics aimed at improving sustainable access to safe, affordable and high-quality healthcare. NIPRD also undertakes activities relating to capacity building, policymaking, data collation, drug distribution and the development of contextual partnerships that can expedite access to healthcare.
NIPRD was designated a Center of Excellence (CoE) in the African Sub-region in research and development of drugs, vaccines, phytomedicines, and diagnostics towards improving the health and well-being of Nigerians and mankind by the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDi) in 2011. NIPRD is ISO 9001:2015 certified by the Standards Organization of Nigeria, and recently got its laboratory accredited by the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS) for ISO 17025:2017 in the field of technical competence in testing.
Following its establishment three decades ago, NIPRD has engaged with the objectives that necessitated its creation. As such, the Institute has focused on the contextual development of new medications and novel molecules for the Nigerian setting. The optimal functioning of the institute has however been limited by various factors, including poor funding and a low R&D to New Product Development (NPD) Ratio. In the next phase of the Institute’s strategic plan, a more aggressive and contextual approach, underpinned by a collaborative and integrated platform needs to be formulated. This approach should include robust engagement with the Pharmaceutical Companies for NPD; Increased collaboration with Nigerian and Foreign Universities; Strategic Partnerships with other Institutes and Funding Agencies; and an intensive backward integration plan to stimulate local product of excipients, pharma inputs and other relevant raw materials relevant for the sector.
Vision: To build a Centre of Excellence in research and development of phytomedicines, pharmaceutical and biological products, drugs and diagnostics towards improving the health and well-being of mankind.
Mission: To apply appropriate modern science and technological resources to stimulate local production of drugs through effective collaboration with the industry and experts within and outside Nigeria;
- Develop herbal and phytomedicines to pilot state of commercialization;
- Develop quality standards for phytomedicine;
- Drugs and diagnostics for the purpose of control and regulation;
- Provide quality assurance services on all drugs used in healthcare delivery; and
- Provide safety data and essential information on herbal and other towards achieving self-sufficiency in the production and control of essential drugs in such a way that would guarantee the overall health of Nigerians and mankind in general.
Functions of the Institute
The Institute, which formally took off in January 1989, has the following functions:
- Undertake research and development work on drugs, biological products including vaccines and pharmaceutical raw materials from indigenous natural resources and by synthesis using appropriate science and technology methodologies
- Conduct appropriate investigations and consequent applications in the areas of evaluation, preservation, purification, standardization, safety and rational utilization of traditional medicine.
- Develop methodologies for quality assessment of biological products, orthodox and herbal medicines including their raw materials.
- Serve as reference centre for research work on the biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, storage and stability of imported and locally manufactured drugs and biological products.
- Conduct research and development work into pharmaceutical biotechnology, nutrition, cosmetics and environmental science for improved quality of life and the conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants.
- Establish and operate a quality assurance laboratory for pharmaceutical raw materials and products.
- Promote and sponsor staff development; through training courses, workshops, and fellowship within and outside Nigeria.
For more, visit www.niprd.gov.ng