Civil society organisations and concerned Nigerians on Tuesday staged a protest against Abbott African company, Abbott Diagnostics, accusing the multinational healthcare company of attempting to sidestep an ongoing legal dispute with Acouns Nigeria Limited by pursuing a rebranded manufacturing project involving the Determine HIV 1/2 Test Kit in Nigeria.
The protest took place at the residence of the Consul General located at 25 Modupe Alakija Crescent (formerly Ikoyi Crescent), Ikoyi, Lagos, where demonstrators raised concerns over an attempt to undermine ongoing court proceedings and marginalise an indigenous Nigerian company that they say played a pivotal role in establishing the product in the Nigerian market.
Addressing journalists during the demonstration, representatives of the civil society groups said the controversy surrounding the Determine HIV Test Kit raises fundamental concerns about respect for judicial authority, corporate accountability, indigenous enterprise, and the future of local participation in Nigeria's healthcare sector.
"Today, we gather to draw attention to a matter that raises fundamental questions about respect for the rule of law, corporate accountability, intellectual and commercial contributions of indigenous businesses, and the future of local participation in Nigeria's healthcare industry," one of the protesters stated.
