By Juliet Umeh

An indigenous pharmaceutical company, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has dismissed notions that Nigerian scientists are incapable of conducting Bioequivalence, BE, studies on chewable Albendazole formulation.

The Chief Executive Officer of Fidson, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, who disclosed that Fidson was partnering with Liddie BE Ltd, a clinical research organisation, to conduct a BE study on chewable formulation of Albendazole tablets, said the development would help in conserving foreign currency.

Addressing newsmen at the partnership ceremony in Lagos, Ayebae said the move would enable both organisations to show the expertise of Nigerian scientists at delivering the same results as international organisations.

He said: “Today (Tuesday), you are witnessing the first (partnership on BE study) that will happen in Nigeria. Some pharmaceutical companies did their bioequivalence studies outside of Nigeria, and we do not want to do that. With the study in Nigeria, we will conserve foreign currency. We will conserve our energy. We will show the expertise and knowledge of Nigerian scientists at delivering the same results that the internationals are able to deliver.

“BE studies are highly specialized forms of studies that are done on drugs. It is to ensure and assure that the products meet all parameters. There are various scientific parameters. They are normally done on products that are of public health interest.

“And the product that we are doing it on, that we are announcing today, is one such product. We hope that by the time the study is finished, we will be able to get the World Health Organisation pre-qualification for that product. The government and donor agencies can now patronize the product for use in Nigeria. Currently, it is being imported from places like India because that is where the ones that have been WHO pre-qualified come from.

“This study is a critical step towards the WHO orequalification of our brand of chewable Albendazole tablets. This collaboration, being the first BE study in Nigeria and one of the first in Africa, is a testament to the success of indigenous efforts and vision, which we are very proud to lead.”
On her part, Managing Director of Liddie BE Ltd, Professor Lara Orafidiya, represented by Director of Clinical Drug Development at Liddie BE Limited, Bolakale Ayinde, said: “We are happy to partner with Fidson on this critical study. Our expertise in clinical research will ensure that this product meets the required international standards for safety and efficacy. We are committed to contributing to the healthcare landscape in Nigeria through world-class clinical trials and research.”