Celebrating Four Decades of Biomedical Pharmaceuticals

Rebecca Ejifoma writes that to mark its 40th anniversary, Biomedical Pharmaceuticals is set to launch an ultra-modern syrup factory, just as they reflect on the journey so far and the challenges that confront them as they expand their services for the benefit of the wellbeing of Nigerians

The Biomedical Pharmaceuticals Limited, manufacturers of inta-venous fluids, is set to launch its ultra-modern syrup factory with 22 new syrups to the Nigerian market to mark its 40 anniversary in Ilorin, Kwara State on August 27 this year.

The pharmaceutical company also listed other activities lined up for the day including massive deworming of 400,000 children as a corporate social responsibility, recognition of deserving business partners who have continued to support them, and the presentation of its newly produced 22 syrups for various ailments among children and adults.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos ahead of the anniversary, the Chairman, Mr. Idowu Obasa, a honourable, noted that although celebrating 40 years of existence as a pharmaceutical company may not amount to anything to certain persons, “for us it is a pressure valve that challenges us, reminds us constantly that we must keep raising the standards and meeting them.

“At a time when most medicines were being imported into the country and even those being produced in Nigeria was dominated by foreign multinationals, a courageous Nigerian ventured into manufacture of inta-venous fluids”.

In all its years of existence, the chairman highlighted that Biomedical had focused on infusions production, but in its 40th year is expanding. “First the syrups factory recently completed has started putting syrups in the market, made possible by the Bank of Industry.”

While acknowledging the courage of the original visioner, Dr. Farouk Abdulazeez, Obasa said the firm plans to deworm 400,000 children as its corporate social responsibility, which will commence across various states of the country on the same day of the event.

For Obasa, the occasion of the anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far and the challenges that confront them as they expand their services for the benefit of the wellbeing of Nigerians.

While describing Nigeria as an import-dependent country, the chairman lamented that for almost everything produced in Nigeria, you have to import the raw material.

Hence, on the delay of goods including pharmaceutical products at the Port, Obasa called on the government to provide concessions. “Because of the nature of the pharmaceutical productions, the government should provide concessions that will be given to those who are involved in the production”.