Foremost pharmaceutical company, SKG Pharma Limited, recently held its annual Trade Partners Conference and Awards to appreciate its customers’ loyalty and reward them for businesses transacted with the company in the year 2014.
The annual conference, held at the De-Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, also witnessed the launch of four new products, comprising SKG Rexifen, a 400mg Ibuprofen capsule; SKG Galways 100mg vitamin C drops for newborns up to 12 months old; SKG Novadex Paracetamol 100mg BP drops (sugar-free) for newborns up to 11 months; and SKG Novavite Multivitamin 15ml drops for newborns up to 12 months.
Speaking with newsmen at the event, Managing Director of the company, Pharm. Okey Akpa, said the trade partners forum was meant to appreciate their clients and also get feedback from them about the performance of the company.
“The first thing we gain from this conference is customers’ loyalty,” Akpa said. “Celebrating our customers every year is part of our scheme to retain loyalty. For us, loyalty is a two-way thing; we remain loyal to them, and they are loyal to us.
“The second thing is quality feedback because they (the trade partners) are the bridge between us and the rest of the channels, right down to the consumers. Speaking to them enables us to get quality feedback, without which the business is at risk. So, we see this as a very important occasion where we interact and chart the way forward for the organisation.”
Speaking further, Akpa who is also chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) appealed to the incoming federal governmentto focus on local drug manufacturing as an avenue to improve Nigeria’s degenerating health care sector, adding that local manufacturing remained one way through which fake drugs could be stamped out of the country.
“That is why manufacturing companies like us (SKG Pharma) are critical to a successful healthcare system. A country like Nigeria with over a 170 Million people cannot but produce. Without production, you cannot guarantee supply; without supply, you cannot guarantee access to drug; and without access to drug, health care system is in jeopardy,” Akpa said.
Also speaking at the conference, Director of Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Mr Peter Bankole, urged the partners to create value in their services and make a difference in the industry, noting that this would distinguish them from their competitors.
Bankole who explored the topic, “Entrepreneurship”, challenged his audience on the necessity of constantly expanding their knowledge base, citing it as a major way to expand their businesses. He also counselled on the need keep away from business pitfalls, such as unnecessary price reduction and extravagant spending.
The facilitator further advised SKG customers to remain loyal and committed to the organisation, adding that, having been promoted from the level of customers to partners, they should abide by the values of the company, in all ramifications.
The highlight of the event, which was attended by SKG trade partners from all parts of the country,was the presentation of awards and gifts to deserving distributors in various categories. In the national category, Jonaco Pharmacy, Onitsha, won the Best National Distributor Award, while Simba Pharmacy and Eternity Pharmacy came second and third respectively.
The distributors, who were obviously delighted by the company’s initiative, took turns to testify to the quality of SKG products, as well as its relationship with distributors and customers.
Commending SKG Pharma, Mr. Chizoba Oleuku Okeke of Jonaco Pharmacy could not hide his joy at the honour bestowed on him by the company’s management. The grand award winner thanked SKG Pharma for helping him grow his business.
“SKG looks out for its distributors and makes sure they grow along with the company; no one is left behind and I intend to remain in the SKG family” Mr Okeke said, as he lifted his golden trophy.
