Pharma West Africa will bring medicines suppliers together to tackle medicines insecurities

The event will seek to address pharmacists’ concerns about the impact of counterfeit and sub-standard medicines being imported into the country as well as foreign exchange impacting on legitimate medicines’ availability. It will also showcase new opportunities in sourcing, supplying and manufacturing medicines.

Mr Ahmed Yakasai, a former President and Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has pointed out that about 60% of pharmaceutical production in ECOWAS countries is dominated by Nigeria but with less than 50% current capacity utilisation.

“We rely on other countries for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), machinery and other resources needed for domestic production of drugs. Nigeria can balance her dependence on imports to meet its medicines needs by improving manufacturing capacity and increasing research capacity through adequate funding,” he said.

“Nigeria has the potential to become a leading manufacturer and distributor of essential medicines in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Mr Yakasai is chairing the conference being run as part of the inaugural Pharma West Africa Exhibition. This major new event, the region’s largest dedicated to medicines, will bring together potentially 2,500 visitors including pharmacists and other health professionals, patent & propriety medicines vendors (PPMVs), pharmacy chain representatives, regulators and policy makers, and others involved across the medicines supply chain.

Among the 120+ exhibitors from around the world will be leading international pharmaceutical manufacturers, local manufacturers, distributors, and importers, as well as ingredient and contract manufacturers, wholesalers, and logistics and safe storage providers.

Pharma West Africa is being organised by BtoB Events, Nigeria’s largest trade exhibitions company, and is supported by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NADFAC), the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical society of Nigeria and Guidechem.

Jamie Hill, BtoB Events Managing Director, has emphasised the importance and value of attending Pharma West Africa. “The event will put into context the need for putting patients’ access to medicines first by driving universal health coverage as well as considering how the industry can meet this challenge,” he said. “It is a fantastic opportunity to connect with global pharmaceutical suppliers and local industry leaders.”

Pharma West Africa takes place at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, from March 20th to 22nd 2024. Visitors will be able to attend the event free but are asked to pre-register at www.pharma-westafrica.com/pre-register-today for updates and faster access to the trade show arena.

Businesses interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the event should contact BtoB Events via www.pharma-westafrica.com or [email protected] or by calling +44 2475 460143.