It was an outpouring of commendation for the organisers of Pharma West Africa Expo, BtoB Events, as the 3-day international pharmaceutical exhibition commenced in a grand style on Wednesday, with notable stakeholders’ presence at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.
The Chairman, Conference Planning Committee and Founder/CEO, Pharmaplus Nigeria Ltd, Pharm. Ahmed I.Yakasai, who expressed his unquantifiable joy in seeing their idea of many years come to fruition, noted that the theme for the conference, “Leveraging new frontiers in pharma to drive universal health coverage,” underscores the critical role that the pharmaceutical sector plays in advancing healthcare accessibility and quality for all.
He said “In today's ever-evolving landscape, through insightful discussions, engaging sessions, and interactive exhibitions, we aim to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and catalyze positive change within the pharmaceutical landscape. Together, we can address challenges, leverage emerging technologies, and harness the power of collaboration to enhance access to quality healthcare for all”.
While speaking shortly before declaring the event open, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, appreciated the chairman of the conference planning committee, Pharm. Yakasai, for his tenacity in ensuring that the team made the show a reality.
The NAFDAC DG noted that the expo couldn’t have come at a better time, when the Nigerian Pharma sector and the West African region is already aiming for the best. She remarked that the Nigerian Pharma sector set out on a good note, but relapsed until 2017, because all the stakeholders in the industry, including the NFDC and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria were not doing what they were supposed to do.
She however admitted that things are already taking shape now. “NAFDAC was even removed from the port, which means anybody can bring anything they like into the country, which was part of what I met on ground. Why are we importing drugs that we can produce?” Prof. Adeyeye asked, saying that was what brought about the agency’s 5 plus 5 policy which aims to boost local manufacturing, noting that with the policy in lace, Nigeria now has about 165 manufacturing companies, as against 120.
While speaking on the theme of the conference, the NAFDAC DG said leveraging new frontier is based on quality, adding that the agency is already thinking quality. She said “we are thinking quality, we are thinking customer in order to improve healthcare system and universal health coverage. Without quality, universal health coverage will be impossible”.
In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said that the state government is willing and ready to partner with stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry, saying medical and pharmaceutical economy is important to the state, hence it will always make effort to create an enabling environment that will boost local production of drugs and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API).
To achieve this, the commissioner said “as government, we are engaging stakeholders. We are about to make available medical free trade zone”.
The President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Usifoh, commended the organisers of the expo, stating that it is the beginning of good things to come. He expressed optimism that when the Lagos State Government partners with the pharma sector, it will be a game changer, not just for the sector but for the entire country.
“I urge all pharmacists to work with Lagos State Government because they are willing to partner with us. If we work together, we can overcome the challenge of fake drug”, Usifoh said.
The President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria Dr Pamela Ajayi, in her remarks lauded the remarkable efforts of the organisers of the international exhibition, saying Nigeria, especially the entire West African region needs the show and also ready for it.
The Head of Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, James Kommeh, while appreciating the organisers, noted that his country is happy to be part of the show. He noted that COVID-19 has taught the African region hard lessons, hence stakeholders in the region must come together to care of the region. He also charged Nigerian investors in pharma sector to think of investing in Sierra Leone, saying their investment is secure in his country.
Also seeking at the event, the Director General, Lanacome Cameroun, Princess Dr Ngono Rose, lauded the Nigerian government, for its commitment to health sector, noting that Nigeria is pioneering the growth of pharma sector and the health sector as a whole in the region.
She however noted that the West African region must embrace disruptive technology that will boost the pharma sector. She said “we must invest in local talent, I urge all stakeholders in the pharma and health sector as a whole to embrace the spirit of collaboration”.
