APF launches website

pharmacy

African Pharmaceutical Forum (APF), a subgroup of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), has officially unveiled its website for the use of all pharmacists across the globe.

The event which was held at the Pharmacy House in Anthony, Lagos, was graced by dignitaries like Sir Anthony Akhimien, APF president; Pharm. Azubike Okwor, former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, PSN president, represented by the PSN secretary, Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola; Ms Margaret O. Olele, corporate affairs/health & value director, Pfizer; and representatives of the various arms of the PSN.

While addressing the audience, the APF president, who revealed that the launch of the website was a dream comes true, noted that the project was made possible by the sponsorship of Pfizer Global.

Sir Akhimien disclosed that since the APF was established ten years ago, it had been difficult to create such a platform due to logistical and financial challenges.

“Since I became the president two years ago, it had been one of my goals to get a website for the region and I’m happy because it’s a dream come true,” said Akhimien.

The APF helmsman, who described the website as a robust, multilingual and professional site, said the establishment of the platform would bring an end to the language and payment barriers the Forum had encountered in the past, as members can now easily pay their dues without difficulty.

He further expressed optimism in APF members’ utilisation of the website, as each country would be expected to regularly update information on its activities, which should spur up a sort of competition among all member states.

Also speaking at the event, Pfizer’s corporate affairs/health & value director, Ms Olele, said Pfizer chose to sponsor the website because it was important to have a platform to galvanise groups of professionals together towards a common goal.

“The world is becoming a global village, and people need to know about best practices in their country, and neighbouring countries, in order to utilise available opportunities,” Olele said.

She explained that the existence of a viable platform that pulled different groups of pharmacists from different countries together to speak with one voice, learn and improve themselves, was indispensable at such a time as this, adding that the website could also serve as an educational educational platform for pharmacists to be updated on recent developments in the profession.

The Pfizer’s spokesperson also noted that the website would enable members leverage on social media networking, where they could share information on the website on social media, whereby creating global connection with other pharmacists .

While assuring that Pfizer would continue to support the APF, Olele added that it was part of the company’s obligations to teach the Forum’s executives how to sustain the website through generation of revenues.

“Pfizer delights in CSR because it is our belief that when society is getting better, it will definitely impact positively on the people. That’s why we are also on the vanguard to see how we can assist the communities and people enjoy good life. We look at different areas to help drive people, knowing that if we create a better world, life becomes sweet to the people”, Olele stated.

Also speaking, Pharm. (Mrs) Amaka Okafor, who represented the PCN registrar at the occasion, expressed the Council’s willingness to support APF on both institutional and individual levels.

She also appreciated the Forum’s president for the laudable initiative, adding that the website would facilitate easy payment, through the e-payment channel thereby ameliorating the challenges of the past.