…As PANS holds symposium to mark Annual Health Week
Pharm. Adeshina Opanubi, project catalyst of Pharmalliance, has underscored the importance of youths leveraging innovations in creating values and ideas that can transform existing systems, to bring about sustainable change.
Opanubi, who was the keynote speaker at the Annual Health Week Symposium of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, urged the students to follow their passion in making impact in their profession and the society at large, noting that value creation brings about clients’ satisfaction.
The programme, with the theme, “Turning innovation into impactful pharma solutions”, was held at the New Great Hall, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Innovation, according to Opanubi, is anything that proposes an alternative to something that is done in a certain way, brings economic and behavioural benefits, solves problems, or makes people’s daily lives more practical. It also involves the whole process from opportunity identification, ideation or invention, development, prototyping, production, marketing and sales.
“The drivers of innovation include financial pressure to reduce costs, increase efficiency, Increased competition, shorter product life cycles, value migration, demographic, social and market changes, Rising customer expectations regarding service and quality, and changing economy”, he said.
Speaking further on value creation, he noted that value is tied to a problem, adding that every time a solution is found to a problem, value is created. “Also, it should be noted that every time value is created, wealth is given as a reward, and every time wealth is created, maintained and sustained over generations, It becomes prosperity”.
While applauding the choice of the theme, Dr Uzoma Ezeoke, executive director, Emzor Pharmaceuticals limited, who was also the chairperson for the event, noted that they were gathered to explore a topic that stands at the forefront of both scientific advancement and societal well-being.
The Emzor boss, who was represented by Pharm. Chukwu Ekwe, head of sales and marketing strategy, at Zolon Healthcare Limited, said innovation serves as the engine that drives progress, transforming groundbreaking ideas into life-saving treatments and therapies, adding that the pharmaceutical industry in particular thrives on the relentless pursuit of new knowledge and the courage to venture beyond traditional boundaries.
She said , “As university students, you are at the top of this transformative journey. Your creativity, curiosity, and determination are the very qualities that fuel innovation. You are the digital natives, the problem solvers and future leaders who will shape the next era of pharmaceutical advancement, so this symposium is designed not to enlighten you about the current trends, and challenges in the pharma industry, but also to inspire you to think boldly and innovatively.
“Innovation and young people share dynamic and mutually reinforcing relationship. Young individuals often bring fresh perspectives, creativity, possess an entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, making them vital contributors to the innovation landscape”.
Speaking in the same vein, Prof. Gloria Ayoola, dean, of the Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG, noted that the theme was apt and timely, adding that as pharmacy students and future pharmacists, innovation is important, saying being innovative is one thing, but turning the innovation to something productive is another.
Earlier in the programme, Oluwanifesimi Agbede, president of PANS, UNILAG, noted that the theme for the symposium was chosen as a reminder to pharmacy students of the need to actualise their dreams, adding that it won’t be an easy task. “As pharmacy students, our goals are achievable no matter how big, provided we embrace innovation”, she said.
The high point of the event was the launching and unveiling of the Recipharm Magazine, a yearly journal of the faculty, and the Panel Session, which had the likes of Dr Monica Eimunjeze, chief executive officer, DeeDoo Bio Plus Pharmacare Limited; Mr Sammy Ogunjimi, managing director, Codix Pharma; Pharm. Joke Bakare, chief executive officer, MedPlus Pharmacy; and Pharm. Opeyemi Adejare, clinical pharmacist, Evercreech Hospital as panelists.
