Africa-Press – Liberia. President Boakai assured the NLGIPL’s delegation of his administration’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment that supports Liberian-led businesses. /Credit: Executive Mansion.
The New Life Group International Pharmaceutical and Laboratory Corporation (NLGIPL) has successfully concluded its mission trip to Liberia, culminating in the official launch of the pharmaceutical group’s operations in the country.
Led by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Rev. Seth Z. Taylor, Jr., the delegation of NLGIPL engaged with top Liberian officials and stakeholders in the health sector to discuss the company’s investment plans.
One of the key figures the delegation met was President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who assured them of his administration’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment that supports Liberian-led businesses. He emphasized the importance of diaspora Liberians’ involvement in national development and encouraged retired but active individuals to contribute to the country’s growth.
“Only Liberians can develop Liberia and we cannot develop our nation without the involvement of those Liberians in the diaspora like you. We urge those who have retired but are not tired to come back home and contribute to the growth and development of our country,” the President said.
President Boakai highlighted the critical need for healthcare improvements in Liberia, emphasizing the goal of transforming the health sector by establishing robust infrastructures, training healthcare workers, supplying quality and affordable medicines, setting up modern diagnostic centers, and tackling the issue of counterfeit drugs.
Stakeholders at the launch emphasized the urgency of interventions in the health sector, while NLGIPL committed to addressing these needs with the support of its partners and financiers. Here, NLGIPL’s partners meet with President Boakai. /Credit: Executive Mansion.
The delegation also met with Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence, who expressed enthusiasm about New Life Group International’s operations in Liberia. She pledged support for the company’s endeavors, especially in combating counterfeit drugs that continue to pose risks to citizens’ health.
“I have always advocated for good healthcare for our people, especially the vulnerable population. As a strong advocate for women and children, you have my support in this endeavor. I am ready to open doors for New Life and you can be assured to call on me whenever you have challenges along the way because we are prepared to make this vision work,” the Pro-Tempore said.
The issue of counterfeit drugs continues to plague the Liberian health sector, posing serious danger to citizens’ lives. Despite the Liberian authorities launching a crackdown on fake drug sellers throughout the country, the Liberian market including drugstores, pharmaceuticals and marketplaces continues to be filled with counterfeit drugs.
Pro-Tempore Karngar-Lawrence told the delegation that she is a first-hand witness to this menace and expressed hope that the coming of New Life Group International will be a significant step in addressing it.
“I am a testimony of the existence of fake drugs on the market. Somebody that I know was affected by the use of the wrong medication,” she said.
Senator Darbah M. Varpilah, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, welcomed NLGIPL’s presence in Liberia, seeing it as a positive step towards improving healthcare.
The Grand Cape Mount Senator said over the last 50 years, there has been no Liberian pharmaceutical company in Liberia and was glad to see the company launching its operations in Liberia.
“I will elevate the conversation we are having today at the level of the Senate and will brief the entire members of the Senate Health Committee. My doors are open to you and please feel free to reach out to me whenever you need me. I look forward to hearing more about the next steps when you conclude your mission,” Senator Varpilah promised.
Other officials the delegation met include Mr. Melvin Sheriff, Sr. Executive Director, National Investment Commission, Dr. Anthony L. Fortune, Assistant Minister of Vital Statistics at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ian Wacherlara, Acting Chief Medical Officer, John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital, Dr. Luke Bawo, Managing Director, Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA), Mrs. Patricia Kamara, Executive Director, Christian Health Association of Liberia (CHAL), and Dr. Major Alberta Clark-Kollie, Commander & Medical Director, 14 Military Hospital.
These officials, at separate meetings, welcomed the coming of the New Life Group to Liberia and pledged their institution’s cooperation to its success in Liberia.
The official launch of NLGIPL’s operations in Liberia, held on April 19, 2024, was attended by government officials and stakeholders from the health and pharmaceutical sectors. The event highlighted the need for a concerted effort to address challenges in the healthcare system, including the proliferation of fake medicines.
The appointed Chief Medical Officer of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Catherine Cooper, serving as the chief launcher, highlighted among other things, the need to embrace a new fight against the proliferation of fake medicines on the market and streamline quality medical services across the country.
Pro Tempore Karngar-Lawrence told the delegation that she is a first-hand witness to this menace and expressed hope that the coming of New Life Group International will be a significant step in addressing it. /Credit: NLGIPL.
The CMO’s assertions corroborated with previous speakers, including Dr. Luke Bawo the Managing Director of the Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Chief Pharmacist of the Republic of Liberia. Dr. Bawao, for his part, inform the gathering that his administration will ensure the pharmaceutical industry provides quality services through straight adherence to the LMHRA regulations and standards consistent with the president’s vision as articulated in the ARREST Agenda.
Representing the Christian Health Association of Liberia (CHAL), Mrs. Patricial Kamara, also a member of the Private Healthcare Federation of Liberia, expressed that CHAL is challenged with delays in procuring pharmaceutical supplies out of Liberia. The Executive Director of CHAL intimated that a partnership with New Life Group will help curtail some of the associated procurement challenges given New Life’s promise of a shorter turnaround time for shipping supplies into Liberia. CHAL would be happy and ready to discuss a possible partnership with New Life Group, she asserted.
Earlier, Rev. Seth Z. Taylor, NLGIPL’s CEO, provided an overview of the company and presented a summary of its comprehensive investment plan for Liberia. This was followed by presentations done on BloodStop, a revolutionary hemostatic wound dressing (one of New Life’s premier pharmaceutical products), and an overview of the ALHIKMA Group by Dr. Lason Magallones, LSP Executive Vice President for Sales and Business Development.
Mr. Emmanuel Sapolucia, NLGIPL’s Partner and Laboratory Specialist made a presentation on the company’s proposed laboratory development plan, which is aligned with the president’s vision for establishing regional diagnostics centers in the country.
Stakeholders at the event emphasized the urgency of interventions in the health sector, and NLGIPL committed to addressing these needs with the support of its partners and financiers.
NLGIPL anticipates a capital-intensive first operating year but is confident in the potential returns, given the market demand for quality pharmaceutical products and services in Liberia.
About the NLGIPL
The New Life Group International Pharmaceutical and Laboratory Corporation (NLGIPL) was legally established in Liberia in 2020 after engaging in various activities within the country. These activities included identifying key stakeholders, forming an advisory board, conducting medical outreach programs at government referral hospitals, and setting up a country office. Additionally, in May 2023, NLGIPL organized a training and awareness workshop focused on its flagship product, BloodStop iX.
The pace of NLGIPL’s activities slowed down during Liberia’s 2023 election period. However, in December 2023, the global team, along with the Executive Vice President for Sales and Business Development (EVPS&BD) of Life Science Plus (LSP), met with key members of the Presidential Transitional Team in the United States to discuss plans for expanding its operations in Liberia.
Subsequently, NLGIPL and its partners received an invitation from President Boakai through the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs to discuss their investment plan for the country. In response, a mission was conducted in Liberia from April 15 to 24, 2024, culminating in the official launch of the company’s operations under the administration of President Joseph Nyemah Boakai. NLGIPL is a Liberian-owned company that has its Liberia head office between 10th & 11th Streets, Russell Avenue, Sinkor.
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