The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a $2.3 million commitment to procure 4.8 million malaria treatment doses from Swiss Pharma (Swipha), enhancing access to essential medicines in Nigeria and West Africa.
This effort, through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), underscores U.S. support for bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare and expanding access to life-saving treatments in vulnerable regions.
For years, Nigeria has faced challenges in procuring affordable, high-quality medicines due to high production costs and limited local manufacturing standards. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), less than 10% of medicines produced in sub-Saharan Africa meet global standards, impacting the availability of malaria and child health treatments.
In response, USAID partnered with Swipha to help the company achieve WHO prequalification for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) tablets, crucial for malaria prevention in pregnant women. Swipha now stands as the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria—and in West Africa—to earn this certification, a significant milestone for regional pharmaceutical capability.
“USAID’s support was pivotal in helping us reach this milestone,” stated Swipha’s Managing Director, Frederic Lieutaud, noting that WHO certification affirms Swipha’s commitment to high-quality production and allows them to scale up for local and international markets.
During a recent visit to Swipha’s facility in Lagos, USAID Mission Director to Nigeria, Melissa Jones, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “This achievement demonstrates the impact of collaboration on healthcare in Nigeria. We are proud to support Swipha and look forward to continuing efforts to make quality medicines accessible to those in need. Together, we are building a healthier future for Nigeria.”
