COMMUNIQUE OF THE 19TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL PHARMACISTS (NAIP) HELD ON 19TH – 20TH APRIL, 2016. THEME: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: IMPERATIVE FOR INDUSTRIAL PHARMACY ADVANCEMENT’’

 

PREAMBLE:

• WHO WE ARE:

The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigerian, NAIP, is a technical arm of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, and the Professional body of all Pharmacists in the Industrial Sector in Nigeria having over 300 Companies as Corporate members.

NAIP’s uniqueness derives from its technical functions and diverse membership cutting across the Manufacturing, Marketing, Distribution, Consulting and Publishing segments of the Industry.

 

• WHAT WE DO:

As an individual group within the Nigerian Pharma sector, we drive with vigor and vibrance excellence and high ethical standards across the Pharma industrial sector towards the provision of total Pharma care for all Nigerians. We have continually delivered on our mandate and great milestones achieved includes but not limited to;

 

• Building a strong association which has become a strong voice for the industry.

 

• Organizing seminars and symposia for members to keep them constantly updated on the challenge of the profession.

• Establishing a business academy which is fast becoming a veritable training institution for the human capital needs of the industry.

• Liaising with Government and its agencies particularly NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria to protect and advance the interest of the industry.

• Building hope and future in the system through the establishment a housing estate scheme for our members and other interested Nigerians.

• Extending our services to Pharmacy youths via advocacy visits to Pharmacy schools nationwide.  Instituting a N2m research grant for our colleagues in the academia with the sole aim of kick starting a resurgence of research activities in our Pharmacy schools. All these we had done within our limited capacity as an Association.

 

 

a. The theme of the conference was strategically chosen to bring to the fore the workforce challenges being faced in the pharma industry and the immense potential and benefits derivable from a strong and virile workforce.

b. The conference was also aimed at unlocking these potentials for the advancement of the Pharma industry by stimulating growth in the midst of the economic challenges.

c. The  2-day Conference hosted at its Opening Ceremony dignitaries such as the Chairman of the Ceremony, Dr. Christopher Kolade, CON; the Keynote Address Speaker, Mr. Uche Attoh of the Lagos Business School, Lagos; Special Guest of Honour, the Honourable Minister, Industry Trade And Investment, Dr Okechukwu E. Enelamah ably represented by Dr. Francis Alaneme; The Chief Host, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, Executive Governor of Lagos State, represented by Pharm(Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Honourable Commissioner for Youth & Sports, Lagos State; the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. N.A.E. Mohammed FPSN; the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ambassador (Pharm.) Ahmed Yakassai FPSN , Director, Registration & Regulatory Affairs Directorate, NAFDAC;  the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ambassador (Pharm.) Ahmed Yakassai FPSN; CEOs and Captains of Industries; Speakers and Chairmen of Plenary sessions, leaders of the other technical arms of the PSN;  Superintendent Pharmacists of Companies; members of the Association, the Press and other distinguished members of the society.

d. The sub-themes chosen are:

The Current Trend/Skillset In Advancing Industrial Pharmacy In Nigeria 

--Efficient Territory/Distribution Management : By Sanjay Kumar

--Skillset Required in Regulatory Affairs Managers: Dr. Monica Eimunjeze

--Addressing Formulation Issues In Production: Pharm. Akin Oyegunju

--End to End Pharma Logistics: Pharm. Bunmi Adimula

--Winning Brand Strategies In An Austere Environment: Pharm. Yinka Subair

 

Day 2, Wednesday April 20, 2016 focused on the following sub-themes:

 

-- Actualizing Effective Succession Planning: Dr.(Mrs) Bisi Adeyemi

--Enforcing Establishing of HSE Code In The Pharma Industry: Engr. Timothy Chimezie Iwuagwu

--NHIS And Its Direct Implications For the Nigerian Pharma Industry: Mr. Obafemi Akingbade

 

e. The Conference Keynote set the tone for the agenda of the conference and drew up salient issues for discussion for the two days. From presentations and contributions of participants, the conference submitted that:

1. The Pharma industry is currently facing a huge challenge in manpower and skill set.

2. That it is a global challenge which is fast resulting in the decline of discovery of newer molecules to challenge current health issues.

3. More critical is the acute shortage of Pharmacists worldwide.

4. The Pharma industry is currently grappling with low purchasing power, intense competition and serious faking and adulteration and fast developing a reputation for low profitability and low return on investment.

5. The consequences of the current state of the Rx Industry are inability to Attract, Retain and Develop Talents.

6. The Tragedy is the gradual loss of knowledge base, noticeable declining in research output and ultimately decline in ROI.

7. Other identified challenges in the industry are: sourcing of forex for importation of raw materials and finished goods, the chaotic drug distribution network, formulation issues cum bioavailability/bioequivalence, over regulation of the industry, faking and adulteration of established brands amongst other challenges listed above.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

The conference amongst other matters discussed recommended the following action plan for immediate implementation:

 

1. The Industry must put in place measures for attracting, developing and retaining talents in tandem with best global practices

2. The industry must acknowledge that the labour market dynamics have changed

3. The industry must identify the need for core pharmacy professionals collaboration and opening up to experts and professionals from other field of endeavor.

4. The industry must return to the era of robust coaching and mentoring scheme.

5. NAIP as an Association must seek alternative ways to build/situate a robust secretariat in Ikeja to be able to serve her members need better for better performance upping the industry's profit before tax .

6. Conference recommend that the government recognise the strategic social responsibility of the health sector albeit Pharmaceutical industrial sub sector ad wish to advocate for concessionary allocation of forex to the industry players.

7. It must help their workforce identify clear career paths.

8. The e-Learning Platform must be embraced for rapid transfer of information.

9. Develop platforms for promotion of long distance learning and real-time sharing of international best practices.

10. Develop a comprehensive HR strategy to achieve the above goals

11. The Industry must develop a culture of corporate success and economic growth by minimizing wastages, conflicts of interest, risks and mismanagement.

12.  A good corporate governance culture which has an in-built succession planning mechanism makes the business attractive to investors and other funding sources.

13.  Succession planning ensures Business Continuity, assures competitive advantage and increases brand equity, enables the Board of Directors to provide critical stewardship & strategic direction and ultimately engenders sustainability.

14.  The NHIS was encouraged to follow its mandate and run an all inclusive policy that will not only be beneficial to all stakeholders, but engender harmony in the health sector.

 

There should be a reinforced commitment by Government to work closely with the private sector, building on its existing good relationship with stakeholders, to develop the formal and informal sectors of the economy as to actualize the vision of government in job and wealth creation with focus on the Pharma industry. 

 

‘Gbenga Falabi, FPSN National Chairman                                       

Folusho Ajenifuja National Secretary