Maternal Death: Juhel Introduces Oxytocin To Curb Growing Rate In Nigeria

L-R: Dr Williams Effiole representing NAFDAC DG, Prof. Moji Adeyeye; MD/CEO Juhel Nigeria Limited, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye; MAN President, Dr. Frank Jacobs..

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

Towards reducing incidences of maternal deaths, Juhel Nigeria Limited, has introduced Oxytocin, the first of its kind in Africa, to the Nigerian pharmaceutical market.

Nigeria, within the last decade has assumed the unpleasant position of being the 4th country with the highest maternal death in the world.

Post-partum Haemorrhage (PPH) or excessive bleeding, constitute one of the major complications after childbirth and accounts for 20 to 30 percent of all maternal deaths.

The First Oxytocin produced in Africa was recently introduce to the public in Lagos by Juhel Nigeria Limited in collaboration with United States Pharmacopeia (USP)

Speaking on the persistent high maternal death rate despite the availability of Oxytocin, CEO Juhel Nigeria Limited, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, said: “Oxytocin Injection is a safe and potent drug which has been in existence in the Nigerian pharmaceutical market for years but despite the ready availability of myriad of imported brands, the rate and frequency of PPH and the consequent fatality of maternal death is still very high.

According to the survey conducted in 2016 by USP convention and PQM project, 74.2 percent of Oxytocin in circulation failed quality laboratory evaluation.

In other words 3 out of 4 imported brands are sub-standard. Ineffective Oxytocin can also be caused by exposure to negative conditions at the point of entry at the ports as Oxytocin must be stored between 2-8 degree Celsius to be effective.

Thirdly, lack of manpower by exporting companies to monitor post sales activities, can only ensue gradual loss of potency and degradation.

Elaborating on the efficacy of the Juhel Oxytocin and it’s paramountcy to pregnant women, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye said: “We send out our team in every part of the country with cars, ready to move anytime, we send them to inspect the customers that wants to buy.

“We don’t have any distributor, if a customer doesn’t have the necessary facilities for the product, we won’t supply until we discuss with the client on possibility of having this storage facility. We can even offer to provide the chillers and the generator to maintain them, we monitor weekly and get reports on the efficacy of our product.”

He added that the company uses the Blow fill seal machine (BFS) to produce the Oxytocin, which is a special technology process for infusion and injection without human intervention.

He explained that the machine is manufactured in three major countries in the world: Germany, America and Italy.

“The machine has the unique ability to blow the bottle, fill and seal it without human intervention within one spot. Juhel has three of the BFS machines. Currently we have the highest in the country and we can produce enough oxytocin for the country more than required.

“Our factory is at Awka. Our target is to hit those places they produce fake drugs. Our price is affordable as other oxytocin are sold for 2000 to 3000 Naira, but Juhel sells her own for a thousand plus.

“We go this extent not just for the money. The rate of maternal death in Nigeria is unbelievable, if we can reduce that rate, there’s nothing else a company should enjoy better that that”, he said.

In furtherance of promoting the quality medicines in Nigeria, USP for two years collaborated with Juhel Nigeria Limited (production and quality team) towards the production of maternal commodities such as magnesium sulphate and Oxytocin injection.