Communique of the 17th Annual Conference of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigerian Held on 16th -17th September 2014

 

THEME: Tapping the opportunities in the Pharmaceutical Industry for wealth creation

 

Preamble 

a. The theme of the conference was strategically determined to reinforce the value and positioning of the Nigerian pharma  industry as an industrial force and a coherent part of the solution to the national quest for transformation, economic  stability and professionalism. 

b. The conference was attended by NAIP members, high level delegates and representatives of agencies and organisations -  across the private and public sectors - inducing the Anabel Group, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Ondo State Government, PCN, PSN,  Board of Fellows, ACPN, Fedex, PMGMAN, NIROPHARM, IPMIN, APIN, NHIS, and NAFDAC. 

 

From presentations and contributions of participants, the Conference submitted that; 

c. The Nigerian health industry need to abandon its 'protectionist' business and operating model and open up to investors and entrepreneurs to enable the industry attain its full economic potentials and its quest for formidable wealth creation 

d. Standardization of products and services should be a key mantra in the Nigerian pharma industry - and this will be  supported by the implementation of Mobile Authentication Service and the National Drug Distribution Policy 

e. Looking at the health profile of Africa, there will be a need for new health interventions and the place of Nigerian pharmacists is pivotal in achieving this 

f. There is a need to encourage more local pharma manufacturers to attain WHO standards 

g. Efforts should be made to reverse the current trend of’ health tourism" currently estimated at $280m to date 

h. The capital market should be seen as a preferred option of/for funding the Nigerian pharma industry, therefore the  industry needs to work closer with the Nigerian Stock Exchange [NSE) . 

i. Examples of good health-care practice that has made substantial impact should be celebrated and sustained. A current  example, is the Ondo State Government's Abiye programme that has reduced infant mortality by 71.1 % in 3 years 

j. The pharma industry should take a lead role in actualising the National Drug Distribution Policy, as there are  opportunities for the industry and Pharmacists, such as 

• More pharmacists will be needed and their knowledge will be required for efficient operationalisation. 

• New skills and business orientation will be required to take advantage of new opportunities, as new funding will be  injected into the industry. 

k. There is a need to ensure the success of the new industry platform - Pharmaceutical Industry Practitioners' Assodation of  Nigeria [PIPAN] established by key stakeholders-NAIP, PMGMAN, IPMIN, APIN and NIROPHARM, with the object of targeting common  industry issues shared by the founding agencies. 

i. Counterfeiting is akin to security breach and terrorism and the solution is beyond just the regulator's work. Therefore  attributes of anti-counterfeiting solutions that the market and industry need to put in place are: simple to use, cost  effective, implementable on a large scale, empowering everyone to fight for safe medicine, and adequate infrastructure 

m. The pharma industry must embrace and support collaboration - which is the new operating culture at NAFDAC - whilst  supporting the agency in achieving its set goal on streamlining registration and its international initiative on  anticounterfeiting. 

 

Proposed Actions & Next Steps - the Conference submitted that; 

1. The Nigerian Stock Exchange [NSE] should establish a pharma sub-sector committee to encourage a stronger focus and  strategic financial support that will aid the development of the industry 

2. Drug Distribution - There is a need for broad spectrum advocacy across the political landscape to actualize the  Operation alisation of this policy come July 2015, noting the national election time table, and that Standard Operating  Procedures [SOP] and Quality Assurance issues will arise that will require NAIP to play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance and monitoring and updating of the process. 

3. That PSN and PCN should as a matter of urgency take a cursory look at the protectionism in the Pharma practice with the view of inspiring high net worth investors to come in, to ramp up capacities, drive inclusive growth and create wealth. 

4. NAIP will continue to lead the attainment of PIPAN's objectives - as a transformation vehide for the further development  and standardisation of the industry, especially in the areas of: background check for Sales Reps, accreditation for Sales  Reps, data repository of and about the industry and coordinated approach to national policy. 

5. Establish a NAIP pressure group to constructively engage NHIS and raise questions such as: what is the value of a Nigerian  life or a healthy day in life of a Nigerian, what metrics were used to arrive at the health economics/premiums, are treatment  outcomes put into consideration etc? 

6. Counterfeiting ... NAIP should 

a. Establish a team of Anti-Counterfeit Ambassadors -with a brief to carry out public enlightenment, regular monitoring, and  evaluation of the systems in the market, and work closer with regulatory authorities 

b. Carry out a study to know the size of the problem in Nigeria so that whatever action(s) are taken will be informed. 

c. Establish joint advocacy, employing concerted by NAFDAC to work closer with the industry, building on its existing good relationship with stakeholders, so to actualize 

 

Signed

Prince Gbenga Falabi

National Chairman

 

Pharm. Folusho Ajenifuja

National Secretary