HELD FROM 14TH – 16TH JUNE, 2022 AT
PROVIDENCE HOTEL, 12A OBA AKINJOBI WAY, GRA IKEJA.
PREAMBLE
The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) is a technical arm of the
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the professional body of all registered and licensed
pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry within Nigeria. It is dedicated to the promotion of the
pharmacy profession, pharmacy education/research, and pharmacy practice within the industrial
sector. NAIP has over 450 companies as corporate members representing over 1000
pharmacists from all over Nigeria held the 25th edition of its Annual Conference on June 14-16,
2022 at the Providence Hotel, 12a Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA Ikeja.
The conference involved a keynote address on the theme, sessions on the sub-theme, and panel
discussions to brainstorm and provide solutions to the myriad of problems plaguing Nigerian
Industrial Pharmacists.
The theme of the conference: The roles of industrial pharmacists in a depressed economy:
Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions in providing essential drugs were addressed by the
keynote address speaker, Pharm. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okoye, Ph.D., OFR, MNI, FPSN, the Chairman/CEO
of Juhel Pharmaceuticals.
The first technical session, titled: “Professional collaboration and coordination as a panacea to
The industrial growth was expertly handled by Prof. Charles Okey Esimone FPSN, FAS, the vice
Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
The second technical session: Technology, Regulation, and Data Centricity in Strengthening
local capacity as the pharma industry evolves. The NAPA-NAIP example was given by Pharm
Jasper Onyeka, MBA, FPSN, the MD of Impact Pharmaceuticals.
The third technical session: The Role of Pharmacists in Vaccine Interventions, was presented.
by Pharm. Dr. Steve Onyia, FPSN, PhD.
The conference also featured a panel discussion with Prof. Lere Baale FPSN, Chairman, NAIP
Board of Trustees as the lead discussant and representatives of NAFDAC and NDLEA as panelists.
Attendance
The conference opening ceremony was chaired by Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai FPSN, Chairman,
Evans Baroque Pharma Ltd. Other dignitaries in attendance included
Prof. Cyril Usifo FPSN, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria(PSN);
Pharm. Deborah Egbuna FPSN, Deputy President South PSN;
Pharm. Gbenga Falabi FPSN, Secretary PSN;
Pharm. Ken Onuegbu FPSN, National Chairman of NAIP;
Pharm. Amaka Okafor, representative of the registrar, Pharmacists
Council of Nigeria (PCN);
Pharm. Ijeoma Nwankwo, representative of the DG of NAFDAC;
Dr. Aliyu Bankole, Medical officer in charge of NDLEA Lagos;
Pharm. Olakunle Ekundayo FPSN, GMD/CEO Drugfield Pharmaceutical Ltd.;
Pharm. Ade Popoola FPSN, MD Reals Pharmaceutical;
Pharm. Sola Solarin FPSN, President, Industrial Pharmacy section of FIP;
Prof. Lere Baale FPSN, Chairman NAIP Board of Trustees;
Pharm. Wale Oladigbolu FPSN, National Chairman ACPN;
Pharm. Bode Ogunjemiyo, National Chairman AHAPN;
Pharm. Victoria Ukwu FPSN, Immediate past National Chairperson ALPS;
Mr. Femi Shoremekun, President NIROPHARM;
Pharm. Frank Muonemeh, Executive Secretary PMGMAN; Pharm.
Sir Ike Onyechi FPSN; MD, Alpha Pharmaceutical Ltd.;
Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi FPSN, MD Pharmanews;
Mr. Varkey Varghese, President of Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and
Importers of Nigeria (IPMIN);
Dr. Tolu Adewole; MD Sovereign wealth Fund;
Col. Nkiru Ibeh, MD, Nigeria Army Drug Manufacturing Company Bonny camp, among others.
The Conference was also attended by all NAIP Executive and Council members as well as NAIP
delegates from eleven states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Kano, Anambra,
Enugu, Plateau, Abuja, and the Edo States.
DECISIONS AND SUBMISSIONS
The Conference deliberated on the theme, sub-themes, panel discussion, and other contemporary
issues related to the theme and made the following observations and recommendations:
- The Conference recognized that the availability of essential medicines is key to the health of
any nation, including Nigeria, and that the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, due to its
size and clout are expected to take the lead in solving Africa’s problem. Nigeria cannot
achieve an acceptable health policy without the ready availability of essential medicines,
which can only be made possible by NAIP in collaboration with other pharmacies
practitioners. - The Conference identified that economic depression leads to a rise in poverty, then to a
decline in hygiene and sanitization, which in turn increases diseases. As a result, there is
an increased need for pharmaceuticals and, therefore, the intervention of industrial
pharmacists. - The Conference acknowledged that a precondition to medicine security is localized
manufacturing and that local production of essential medicines has the potential to reduce
the infiltration of falsified and substandard medicines as well as improve the country’s
economy. - The conference identified some of the challenges faced by pharmaceutical industries to
include lack of infrastructure, inconsistent and mismanaged government policies, supply
chain challenges, weak industrial linkages, weak technology and engineering base, poor
access to forex, lack of petrochemical industries to enable Active Pharmaceutical
Ingredients (APIs) production as well as inadequate incentives. These discourage
industry efforts and result in a mass exodus of talent. NAIP therefore calls on the
Nigerian Government, to resolve the lingering crisis in securing Forex for the importation
and Manufacturing of essential medicines as this is becoming one of the greatest threats
to the growth of the Pharma Industry in Nigeria. - The Conference opined that the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, as is, remains
underperforming with glaring untapped opportunity and therefore advised the
government to set up a 20-year rolling plan. This should enable the manufacturing sector
and regulatory agencies to achieve targeted sufficiency in some key and critical areas. - The conference encouraged making a conscious effort to welcome investment capital
with clear timelines. Technology transfer can be utilized in order to venture into Active
Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) were manufactured, preventing experiences suffered during
the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when countries limited exports of APIs to Nigeria
and other countries. NAIP, therefore, calls for strong policies from the Federal
The government of Nigeria supports both excipient and API production in the country. - The conference emphasized the need for a data-centric approach by the various pharma
groups coupled with robust analysis to enable proper presentation and reliable
information for government assistance. Also, there should be an intensive relationship
between technology regulation and data-centricity in the emerging growth of the
pharmaceutical industry. This synergy is necessary to further the growth of the industry. - The Conference urged the Regulatory Agencies on the need to ensure more efficient
product and premises registration and regulations in order to improve the quantity and
quality of products made in Nigeria, increase accessibility and reduce the need for certain
unnecessary imports. - The Conference pointed out the need for the government and interested multinationals to
work with industrial pharmacists in order to overcome commercial obstacles and achieve
economic growth. In addition, various interventions by the government should not be a
one-time practice. It should be made regular, substantial and geared towards encouraging
long-term research. - The conference noted that human capacity development is very key. Therefore,
collaboration with technical groups like the National Association of Pharmacists in
Academia (NAPA) by NAIP is imperative. Capacity building programs and skill
development in equipment maintenance, management, etc. should be administered to
assure quality and compliance. - The NAIP Conference enumerated the various ways NAIP can collaborate with NAPA.
This includes sponsorship of PhD students, setting up regional centers of excellence,
setting up trust funds by NAIP, while NAPA can involve NAIP members in experimental
teaching in their universities, carrying out sabbaticals in industries, etc. The leadership of
the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria can ensure good coordination for internship and
SIWES programs. - The Conference examined extant pieces of literature proving that pharmacists and
pharmaceutical sciences have a veritable role to play in vaccines (vaccine development
and interventions) and vaccination programs largely driven by their training in R & D,
manufacturing, distribution, storage, community-based participatory research, and
pharmacovigilance activities. - The Conference agreed that because technology such as robotics and digitization increase
workplace productivity, it is unquestionably the bedrock or engine room of the Pharma
Industry, and can make product registration stages easily communicated by NAFDAC to
registering companies, it should be embraced. - The Conference urged NAFDAC to be weary of the levies and fees imposed on
pharmaceutical companies as it is not a business agency. They should also look into their
regulations as they are more stringent when it comes to pharmaceuticals compared to
herbal mixtures with specific emphasis on approval and advertisements. - The Conference frowned at the restriction on the number of products registered by
NAFDAC per quarter as it discourages investment and reduces employment of
pharmacists. - The Conference recognized that the issue of the CTD format of dossier is still a major
hindrance to the registration of pharmaceutical products and proposed continuous training
on it to make product registration relatively easier for stakeholders. - The Conference identified as unacceptable the harassment by NDLEA officers of
pharmacists for medicines which they are licensed to handle, as well as the unnecessary
delay in the clearing of medicines at the port by NDLEA, which oftentimes led to
incurred demurrage. NDLEA is to make available to NAIP their list of schedules. - The Conference observed that a number of NDLEA officials are not up to date with the
functions of a registered pharmacist as well as the content of the license of a pharmacist.
As a result, capacity-building programs should be organized for them to better understand
the pharmacy terrain. - The conference agreed that we can achieve a lot in improving the healthcare needs of the
citizens through proper engagements and collaborations with major stakeholders and
regulatory authorities. As a result of this we shall continue to engage with customs,
NDLEA, NAFDAC, PCN etc. in finding solutions to the myriads of challenges facing the
Nigerian Pharma Industry. A workshop with the top officials of relevant regulatory
bodies and stakeholders was therefore proposed to rub minds and come up with practical
solutions that will enable more efficient and harmonized results. - The Conference expressed profound appreciation to all sponsors, donors, and invited
guests who made the program a huge success
