In a bold move to enhance the integrity of pharmaceutical supply chains across Africa, Bloom Public Health, in collaboration with Origin Technologies FZCO and LANACOME, hosted a groundbreaking workshop on 28 January, 2025. The event, held at the LANACOME Conference Hall in Yaoundé, brought together industry leaders, public health experts, and key stakeholders to address the pressing issue of pharmaceutical traceability in the region.
The workshop featured prominent figures such as Director of Special Projects at Bloom Public Health, Ikenna Orakwue, and Programme Manager for Cameroon, Etiene Kwebe, who were joined by local leaders including Director General of LANACOME Prof. Rose Mballa, represented by Mvondo Christophe, head of communication, and Dr Ntsama Nicole from the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon.
With Africa facing an ongoing challenge in combating counterfeit drugs, the need for effective pharmaceutical traceability is more critical than ever. Ikenna Orakwue opened the session with a compelling presentation about Bloom Public Health’s mission to transform public health on the continent. He highlighted the organisation’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge track and trace solutions developed in partnership with Origin Technologies to safeguard the pharmaceutical supply chain from production to patient.
“The safety of medicines is directly linked to the health of our communities,” said Orakwue. “By ensuring the traceability of drugs, we can prevent counterfeit medicines from entering the supply chain and guarantee that life-saving treatments reach those who need them.”
The workshop also featured insightful presentations from global leaders, including Onur Soybaş and Chaymae Lhafss of Tiga Healthcare Technologies, as well as Khaled El-Sayed from Origin Technologies. These experts underscored the importance of utilising innovative technologies and data to create more transparent, accountable, and efficient supply chains that can deliver both quality and security to the pharmaceutical sector.
Counterfeit drugs continue to pose a significant threat to public health across the continent, with many nations struggling to maintain the safety and reliability of their pharmaceutical systems. The workshop in Yaoundé marked a significant step in Bloom Public Health’s ongoing effort to foster safer, more transparent supply chains and improve healthcare access across Africa.
Bloom Public Health is a leading African think tank dedicated to designing home-grown solutions to Africa’s most pressing public health challenges. With a presence in seven African nations, the organization is at the forefront of addressing critical needs in pharmaceutical quality systems, laboratory strengthening, diagnostics, and policy development.
Bloom Public Health is committed to creating African-driven solutions to address the continent’s public health challenges. With a focus on the pharmaceutical sector, Bloom Public Health aims to strengthen laboratory systems, improve supply chain management, and develop policies that improve access to quality healthcare across Africa. The organization collaborates with local and global partners to bring innovative interventions tailored to the unique needs of the continent.
Origin Technologies, a global leader in supply chain solutions, has been instrumental in bringing advanced transparency technologies to the pharmaceutical sector. With a worldwide presence, the company focuses on protecting brands, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing community well-being through innovative products and services.
The collaboration between Bloom Public Health, Origin Technologies, and LANACOME represents a powerful partnership that is set to reshape the pharmaceutical landscape in Cameroon and across Africa. By utilizing data-driven solutions and leveraging technology, the partners aim to reduce the prevalence of counterfeit drugs and improve the quality of healthcare across the continent.
With this landmark event, the focus on pharmaceutical traceability in Cameroon is just the beginning of a larger movement to ensure that Africa’s drug supply chains are secure, transparent, and capable of delivering life-saving medicines to those who need them most.
