Otamere Gladness 
Governor Monday Okpebholo
EDO, Nigeria – The Edo State Government has announced plans to restart the production of essential medicines by 2026 to strengthen local healthcare delivery and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, disclosed this during an inspection of the Central Medical Stores and the Edo Pharmaceutical Company in Benin.
The facility was vandalised during the 2020 EndSARS protests but is now set for rehabilitation.
“This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to boost local pharmaceutical production,” Okpebholo said.
He noted that restoring the plant would reduce drug costs and discourage residents from seeking treatment outside the state. “Edo is ready to put this facility to productive use for our people.”
Commissioner for Health, Cyril Oshiomhole, explained that the Edo Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency will partner with federal initiatives to take advantage of pooled procurement, enabling states to purchase medicines at reduced prices. “When states buy in bulk, costs drop significantly—sometimes even below factory prices,” he said.
He added that the 2026 plan includes resuming local production of paracetamol, antimalarials, antibiotics and other essentials to serve hospitals and pharmacies across the South-South region.
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Korede Abdullah 
Chukwu Obinna 
Oluwatobi Adu 