Pharma West Africa To Explore Improving Access To Quality Medicines

The Second Pharma West Africa Conference is set to discuss ways to make quality medicines more affordable and accessible in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

Conference speakers will include representatives from health ministries in the region, health economists and leading executives from the pharmaceutical supply chain – whether manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers or those working in pharmacies – offering a local and international perspective.

In a range of presentations and panel discussions, the conference will look at aspects such as how medicines funding and health insurance can work better together, how the healthcare value chain can be developed in the region, and how to leverage technology to expand Universal Healthcare coverage.
The conference is running as part of West Africa’s largest pharmaceutical trade event, the annual Pharma West Africa Exhibition. This is expected to have more than 200 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors over the three days from March 18th to 20th. It takes place at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

BtoB Events, the people behind Beauty West Africa, Food & Beverage West Africa and the West Africa Automotive Show, are the main organisers of Pharma West Africa, with the Conference programme committee being chaired by Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai. He is a former president of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Society and the founder and Managing Director of Pharmaplus Nigeria Ltd.
“With the interest and enthusiasm generated at last year’s inaugural Conference, I am delighted to be organising the programme again, and have chosen as the theme ‘Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain: The Journey so far,” says Pharm Ahmed Yakasai, the  Managing Director, Pharmaplus Nigeria Ltd .

“Our speakers from across West Africa and further afield bring a wealth of experience to the table and will highlight the challenges and opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry and the medicines supply chain in Nigeria and West Africa, with the primary aim of improving the health of our populations.”

Keynote speakers include Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, who will give an overview on presidential initiatives on unlocking the healthcare value chain. Pharm. Olufunke Falade, Consultant, Nigeria Infrastructure Fund, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), will discuss public private partnerships (PPP) in health and how they can be a gamechanger for infrastructure development.

Also in the lineup is Pharm. Uche Sonny-Afoekelu, Director Registrations & Regulations, R&R, NAFDAC, who will talk about navigating regulatory hurdles and quality standards for local pharmaceutical production.

Mr Yakasai added; “This year’s conference will take forward themes explored in 2024 and developments in the regulatory framework as well as the progress being made in optimising the efforts and contributions for all stakeholders involved in providing healthcare, especially around the medicines supply chain.”

The third day is given over to the Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN) with the theme, ‘The role of pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors in driving access to affordability, quality – assured medicines’.
Noting that that revenue in the pharmaceuticals market in Nigeria alone will reach US$1.84 billion (₦2.86 trillion) in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.45% over the next five years, Yakasai is also supporting an initiative to promote Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, the Pharma West Africa Leaders’ Club.
This is an exclusive gathering of influential leaders from across the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, united by a shared vision to achieve several critical objectives. These include fostering industry collaboration and enhancing global connectivity, and will identify priorities for discussion at future Pharma West Africa events.