That hypertension is a major threat to the well-being of people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is not in doubt. Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated, with the
The WHO said, for instance, that about 46 per cent of adults in
Sadly, the prevalence of hypertension in
According to the report, which was accessed by The Nation, Nigeria's rapidly aging and urbanising population is enjoying higher standards of living, which are often accompanied by obesity and, as a result, cardiovascular disease. Consequently, there is increasing rate of hypertension across the country, requiring urgent measures to stem the tide.
Indeed, experts say that the consumption of junk foods, lack of proper, healthy and balanced diet and lack of proper sleep, due to irregular work shifts, are major drivers for prevalence of the disease in
However, by far, the most common treatment of hypertension is through special drugs. The remarkable success of a few recent launches has demonstrated the true potential of patented products
Some organisations and their international partners have stepped up the development of a variety of tools to reduce the high incidence of hypertension; some herbal providers are also deploying medicinal plants in the treatment and management of the problem.
The burgeoning industry, according to experts, needs lower-cost alternatives for desperately needed medications, and production should be on the rise. Of late, there has been rise in use of combination therapies for the treatment of hypertension.
Experts say that the use of combinations of drugs (Combination Therapy) allows for action on several different hypertensive mechanisms. However, as in so many other sectors, the rise of digital technology is reshaping the market.
Companies are using digital technology to simplify processes, enhance quality of care and prevention in the community, and empower patients.
Unsurprisingly, many hypertension drug manufacturers, therapists and caregivers have lined up to take advantage of the increasing number of hypertension patients in
The drug merchants, who are mostly private sector players, are encouraged by Nigeria's large, rapidly growing market for hypertension, which includes research, discovery, testing, medical devices, and manufacturing of medicines and therapeutics that cure hypertension and improve patient's health.
The Nation learnt that from local and multinational pharmaceutical companies to herbal providers, the competition for the provision of bespoke solutions for the treatment and management of hypertension in
The government is also encouraging local companies to develop drug production facilities. Some of the top players in the market include
The key drugs in demand are systemic and pulmonary hypertension drugs. The major anti-hypertensive drugs, such as metoprolol, bisoprolol, perindopril and benazepril have a stable market share. While local companies are gaining traction, international brands are said to be still leading the pack. Nonetheless, the competition is fierce.
The market is growing at a very rapid pace. And with rise in technological innovation, analysts expect the market to remain innovation-led, with frequent acquisitions and strategic alliances adopted as the key strategies by the players to increase their industry presence.
The players are doing everything possible to protect their markets, using multi-pronged strategies such as dropping prices and offering patient assistance programmes. Continued pricing pressure is said to have led several of the major drug companies to re-evaluate their businesses.
For instance, global pharmaceutical company Eli
The other big player in the market is
Bayer is also poised to give other hypertension drug manufacturers a run for their investments. An established and respected name in the pharmaceutical industry, Bayer engages in the research and development and production of active pharmaceutical products and intermediates, such as antivirals, antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-diabetics.
Its pharmaceutical's researchers and scientists use state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment to develop new drugs to against hypertension.
Sanofi is another major contender. The company has reinforced its sustained commitment to healthcare through the provision of affordable medicines that are tailored to the needs of patients with the introduction of APROVASC, a fixed-dose combination treatment for the management of hypertension.
Sanofi, at the launch of the product, in
Also, to better support the patients in the management of the disease, Sanofi continues with its access to healthcare ambition in the opening of diabetes and hypertension clinics in partnership with health authorities. The first clinic was inaugurated at the
The General Manager,
The company has built a global network for production, sales and Research and Development (R and D) not only in
Sanofi is also said to have actively penetrated into the overseas market and has expanded the pipelines for developing new drugs with active investment in R and D.
A thriving market for therapies
The use of therapies to treat hypertension has continued. The embrace of alternative medicine underscores how deep the use of therapies is in the treatment of hypertension. Apart from drugs and orthodox medical care, companies are now selling herbal remedies to treat hypertension.
The understanding is that anti-hypertensive medications work well for some people, but not for others, and the side effects can be unpleasant. However, those promoting alternative therapies are careful to say that they can supplement - but can't replace - conventional treatments.
In place of medications, there are now herbal products. Products built from a combination of traditional herbs, such as lavender, fennel, and chamomile, now lower blood pressure. There are people that have switched their current hypertension treatments for herbal remedies.
Enter ketogenic diet
The ketogenic diet food market has gained a lot of popularity all over the world and is expected to reach
A ketogenic diet is a low or zero carbohydrate diet that has become the number one choice for treating different health issues and in reducing weight.
Diabetes and hypertension have become the most noticeable diseases in
A ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, fat-rich eating plan, which is trending in the market due to its popularity for treating medical conditions and aiding in weight-loss. It is an effective treatment for hypertension. Lots of Nigerians are following the ketogenic diet trend.
Investment opportunities
Pharma companies are looking for new ways to boost hypertension drug discovery potential, reduce time to market and reduce costs along the whole value chain.
But for the depreciation of the naira, analysts see high drug prices as capable of helping to drive investment. The other issue is that Nigeria is also a market with a relatively predictable regulatory environment.
Nigeria has indeed, taken steps to reform its regulatory process to be more friendly towards foreign drug developers, with a particular focus on streamlining the approval process for products that have been licensed outside the country in developed markets such as the US and the EU.
International multi consultancy, Mckinsey, said Nigeria offers attractive opportunities for companies with realistic expectations and the ability to improve patients' access to medicines.
It said the Nigerian pharma market could rise by as much as nine per cent a year to reach
Though the sector faces its fair share of challenges, health care provision may be about to turn a corner, with some major initiatives proposed or in the early rollout phase that could dramatically reshape the regulatory regime and re-designate roles and responsibilities for more effective outcomes.
One of these is the move to reduce the sale of counterfeit and sub-standard medicine in the local market.
Pharmaceuticals manufacturers and importers are only permitted to sell drugs directly to Mega Drug Distribution Centres (MDDCs); State Drug Distribution Centres (SDDCs) and the national health programme.
From there, MDDCs can only sell to wholesalers, while SDDCs can re-distribute to public health facilities, and in some instances, the national health programme, as well as wholesalers.
Wholesalers, for their part, are only permitted to sell to community pharmacies, public health care facilities and private health institutions.
On the consumer-facing side, only pharmacies and public and private health care facilities that are registered with the
In order to be registered as a participating pharmacy, one must have on board a superintendent pharmacist with at least five years of post-qualification retail experience.
To open a registered MDDC, a pharmacist with over 10 years of wholesale experience is needed to manage the operation.
To analysts, the guideline should reduce the challenges around counterfeiting by tracking and tracing product movement. It also opens up opportunities for new private businesses to participate in the distribution chain.
Then, there is the issue of changing eating habits and an increase in sedentary lifestyles among an expanding middle class that has contributed to a rise in the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes.
With rising levels of disposable income among some segments of society, there is greater demand for private coverage. Accordingly, the private sector has a significant role to play in ensuring reliable and affordable hypertension health care reaches all segments of society.
Experts speak
While the scramble for Nigeria's hypertension drugs market is gaining momentum, medical experts have tasked the Federal and State governments to provide blood pressure measuring kits in work places and other locations to tackle the rising incidences of sudden death among Nigerians.
They gave the advice at the first annual lecture of the
A consultant cardiologist,
Explaining further, the medical expert said hypertension is a silent killer 'because in many cases it presents without symptoms until it is about to destroy its victims.'
He said though blood pressure is important for the working of the body, when continuously raised it can damage vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, the brain and other internal organs which end up manifesting on the outer body parts in form of stroke and other deadly diseases.
Ogunlade emphasised the need for regular check of blood pressure which he noted could be done with the use of appropriate kits at home and in the offices and not only in hospitals.
The cardiologist said a number of factors including the depressed economy, insecurity, insatiable desire and stress could be responsible for the increase in hypertension cases.
He advised Nigerians to be conscious of risk factors such as sweet things, alcohol, salt, obesity and hereditary causes to put the silent killer which he described as manageable in check.
FUTA's Vice-Chancellor, Prof Joseph Fuwape, represented by the Dean,
This, according to him, has taken its toll on the development of the economy. He noted that FUTA, as a pacesetter has taken initiative and gotten patents in research projects for the management of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and High Blood Pressure recently as part of activities to rebuild the nation's healthcare system.
He stated that the introduction and production of its Moringa, ginger and garlic breads was aimed at preventing some of such diseases as examples.
The Dean of the school, Prof
© Pakistan Press International, source