President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh, demonstrated his intelligent leadership prowess in tackling the affordability, availability, and accessibility of essential drugs and medication in the country. This remarkable feat was achieved at the first-of-its-kind  intractive meeting with   the pharmaceutical stakeholders' tagged  'Dinner with the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammad Ali Pate CON.

The  historical event took place at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, which saw the presence of notable individuals in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR MNI, who chaired and chief-host the event,  a prominent figure in Pharmacy, former Health Minister and the current Chairman of the MTN Foundation. Other distinguished guests in attendance included the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, The Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Chibedum Peace Babalola,FAS,FPSN,  the Director of NIPRID, Dr Philip Builders, and several pharmaceutical CEOs and Directors under the umbrella of  FeNPIA,PMG-MAN, APIN, PSN, NIROPHARM, IPMIN and NAIP.

In his speech, Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh congratulated the Honourable Coordinating Minister on his appointment and expressed appreciation for the restoration of funding to the Pharmacy Council. He focused his address on three critical issues, namely, emphasizing the role of pharmacists as Primary Healthcare providers and routine vaccination, the availability of essential drugs in government hospitals hindered by the Drug Revolving Fund, and the enrichment of the Drug Management Agency through Public-Private Partnerships.

Dr. Okey Akpa, the CEO of SKG Pharma and President of the Federation of Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry Association (FeNPIA), also took the opportunity to address statutory setbacks faced by FeNPIA. These setbacks also revolved around the reduction of the cost of medication and its affordability in the country.

The Honourable Coordinating Minister, Professor Mohammad Ali Pate CON, in his response, declared the event the first official consultation forum with him and expressed his interest in continuing such forums on a quarterly basis. He addressed the issues raised and pledged his support and collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry.

The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented  by Dr. Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, spoke about the readiness of the Sanwo-Olu administration to collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry and partner with federal agencies to develop the healthcare industry.

The event concluded with a toast in honor of the Honourable Coordinating Minister led by the Chairman of PMG-MAN, Mr. Tosin Jolayemi.

Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh,FPSN expressed his joy in an interview with CEO Africa about the event happening under his presidency. He further expressed confidence in the minister and the president's ability to bring down the cost of drugs, making them accessible to the average person.

Professor Mohammad Ali Pate CON revealed that the industry players are now proactive, and healthcare is a key part of the president's hope agenda. He added that local pharmaceutical manufacturing is being pursued to allow the industry to thrive and subsequently reduce the cost of medication. The current administration is also actively wooing manufacturers to produce in Nigeria.

Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, representing the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted the major factors contributing to high medication costs and stated that the government is committed to bringing down the cost and organizing programs for free distribution of drugs. She emphasized that healthy living and prevention are crucial in healthcare.

Dr Fidelis Ayebae, MD of Fidson also expressed confidence in the capacity of the Honourable Minister. “Nigeria will get it right with the kind of person of the current Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare” he added.

Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola,FAS,FPSN the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun state  spoke on the need for better drug distribution control to prevent drug abuse. She added that Nigeria should strive to be a drug manufacturing country, rather than relying on imports, to reduce medication costs.

Pharm Professor Lere Baale, Dean/CEO of Business School Netherlands, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the Pharmaceutical Industry and its potential in reducing the cost and improving availability, affordability and accessibility of medication.
Pharm Osareti Jayeola,FPSN, MD of Fensyl MHP, described the Honourable Minister as a knowledgeable and experienced leader who understands the dynamics of the healthcare profession. His commitment to bringing everyone on board for the greater good of the masses was highly appreciated.
Mr Frank Muoremeh, the Eecutive Secretary of PMG-MAN, expressed excitement about the engagement between the Honourable Coordinating Minister and the Pharmaceutical Stakeholders, viewing it as a turning point for the industry.

Pharm Prince Adewale Oladigbolu, the National Chairman of ACPN, described the Honourable Minister as a good listener who values teamwork in the healthcare system. He raised concerns about the operationality of the health insurance scheme and called for reduced tariffs on raw materials and finished goods, as well as a more responsive NAFDAC.

Overall, the event highlighted the proactive and dedicated efforts of Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh as a silient achiver and an infectious visionary leader backed by one of the leading lights of Pharmacy in Nigeria, Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR MNI , past presidents of PSN and other industry players  in Pharmaceutical value chain, The coast is clear for  the pharmaceutical stakeholders in Nigeria and the policy makers  to  address the  problem of affordability, availability, and accessibility of essential medication in the country. With this special  support of the Honourable Coordinating Minister and the commitment of industry players, there is hope for a bright future in Nigeria  healthcare  delivery .

President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh, demonstrated his intelligent leadership prowess in tackling the affordability, availability, and accessibility of essential drugs and medication in the country. This remarkable feat was achieved at the first-of-its-kind  intractive meeting with   the pharmaceutical stakeholders' tagged  'Dinner with the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammad Ali Pate CON.
The  historical event took place at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, which saw the presence of notable individuals in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR MNI, who chaired and chief-host the event,  a prominent figure in Pharmacy, former Health Minister and the current Chairman of the MTN Foundation. Other distinguished guests in attendance included the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the PCN Registrar, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, The Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Chibedum Peace Babalola,FAS,FPSN,  the Director of NIPRID, Dr Philip Builders, and several pharmaceutical CEOs and Directors under the umbrella of  FeNPIA,PMG-MAN, APIN, PSN, NIROPHARM, IPMIN and NAIP.
In his speech, Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh congratulated the Honourable Coordinating Minister on his appointment and expressed appreciation for the restoration of funding to the Pharmacy Council. He focused his address on three critical issues, namely, emphasizing the role of pharmacists as Primary Healthcare providers and routine vaccination, the availability of essential drugs in government hospitals hindered by the Drug Revolving Fund, and the enrichment of the Drug Management Agency through Public-Private Partnerships.
Dr. Okey Akpa, the CEO of SKG Pharma and President of the Federation of Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry Association (FeNPIA), also took the opportunity to address statutory setbacks faced by FeNPIA. These setbacks also revolved around the reduction of the cost of medication and its affordability in the country.
The Honourable Coordinating Minister, Professor Mohammad Ali Pate CON, in his response, declared the event the first official consultation forum with him and expressed his interest in continuing such forums on a quarterly basis. He addressed the issues raised and pledged his support and collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry.
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented  by Dr. Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, spoke about the readiness of the Sanwo-Olu administration to collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry and partner with federal agencies to develop the healthcare industry.
The event concluded with a toast in honor of the Honourable Coordinating Minister led by the Chairman of PMG-MAN, Mr. Tosin Jolayemi.
Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh,FPSN expressed his joy in an interview with CEO Africa about the event happening under his presidency. He further expressed confidence in the minister and the president's ability to bring down the cost of drugs, making them accessible to the average person.
Professor Mohammad Ali Pate CON revealed that the industry players are now proactive, and healthcare is a key part of the president's hope agenda. He added that local pharmaceutical manufacturing is being pursued to allow the industry to thrive and subsequently reduce the cost of medication. The current administration is also actively wooing manufacturers to produce in Nigeria.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, representing the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted the major factors contributing to high medication costs and stated that the government is committed to bringing down the cost and organizing programs for free distribution of drugs. She emphasized that healthy living and prevention are crucial in healthcare.
Dr Fidelis Ayebae, MD of Fidson also expressed confidence in the capacity of the Honourable Minister. “Nigeria will get it right with the kind of person of the current Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare” he added.
Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola,FAS,FPSN the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun state  spoke on the need for better drug distribution control to prevent drug abuse. She added that Nigeria should strive to be a drug manufacturing country, rather than relying on imports, to reduce medication costs.
Pharm Professor Lere Baale, Dean/CEO of Business School Netherlands, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the Pharmaceutical Industry and its potential in reducing the cost and improving availability, affordability and accessibility of medication.
Pharm Osareti Jayeola,FPSN, MD of Fensyl MHP, described the Honourable Minister as a knowledgeable and experienced leader who understands the dynamics of the healthcare profession. His commitment to bringing everyone on board for the greater good of the masses was highly appreciated.
Mr Frank Muoremeh, the Eecutive Secretary of PMG-MAN, expressed excitement about the engagement between the Honourable Coordinating Minister and the Pharmaceutical Stakeholders, viewing it as a turning point for the industry.
Pharm Prince Adewale Oladigbolu, the National Chairman of ACPN, described the Honourable Minister as a good listener who values teamwork in the healthcare system. He raised concerns about the operationality of the health insurance scheme and called for reduced tariffs on raw materials and finished goods, as well as a more responsive NAFDAC.
Overall, the event highlighted the proactive and dedicated efforts of Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh as a silient achiver and an infectious visionary leader backed by one of the leading lights of Pharmacy in Nigeria, Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR MNI , past presidents of PSN and other industry players  in Pharmaceutical value chain, The coast is clear for  the pharmaceutical stakeholders in Nigeria and the policy makers  to  address the  problem of affordability, availability, and accessibility of essential medication in the country. With this special  support of the Honourable Coordinating Minister and the commitment of industry players, there is hope for a bright future in Nigeria  healthcare  delivery .
Diginitaires at the event includes Professor Muhammad Ali Pate CON, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, President of the  Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm Prof. Cyril O. Usifoh,FPSN  Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR, mni, the My Lord Pharmacy and Chief Host , Professor Moji Adeyeye, Director General NAFDAC,  Dr. Okey Akpa, President FeNPIA/CEO SKG Pharma,  Dr. Abdul Mukhtar, National Coordinator Presidential Initiative Unlocking HC Value Chain, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, Vice Chancellor, Chrisland University, Dr. Chief Stella Okolie OFR, Chairman Emzor,  Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi of PSN Foundation,  Pharm. Ken Onuegbo FPSN,  National Chairman of Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP)   
Pharm Dr  Joseph Madu MCPAN, FPCPharm, National Chairman of the Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria
Bankole Aminu.A. Ezebuilo - MD/CEO - KAYHELT PHARMA, Mr. Chidubem Okoye, MD Juhel, Mr. Patrick Ajah, MD M&B, Prince Nnameke Ugwie, MD Nemel, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae, MD Fidson, Mrs. Toyin Utomakii, MD Biomedical, Pharm  Mr. Tosin Jolayemi, Chairman PMG-MAN and  a host of other industry players