On January 31st, 2024, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Professor Cyril Odianose Usifoh, addressed the issue of medication affordability and accessibility at a pharmaceutical Stakeholders dinner held to host the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate CON, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja. The event, which was organized to bring attention to the increasing cost of medication and drugs, was chaired by Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi Adeluyi, a former minister of health and currently the Chairman of MTN Foundation.
The dinner was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Professor Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, and CEOs and Heads of various pharmaceutical associations and companies. The event was strictly by invitation, ensuring that key players in the industry were present to discuss the challenges and solutions to the rising cost of medication in the country.
In his speech, Professor Usifoh congratulated the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, on his appointment and expressed appreciation for the restoration of funding to the pharma council. He emphasized the role of pharmacists as primary healthcare providers and called for increased focus on routine vaccination.
Additionally, Professor Usifoh highlighted the issue of the availability of essential drugs in government hospitals, which is hindered by the Drugs Revolving Fund. He also stressed the importance of enriching the drug management agency through public-private partnerships. These three critical issues were the main focus of his address, as he emphasized the need for immediate action to ensure affordable and accessible medication for all Nigerians.
In response to the issues raised by PSN president, Professor Usifoh and President of the Federation of Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (FeNPIA), Dr. Okey Akpa, the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, commended their efforts and pledged his support and collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. He expressed his appreciation for the initiative and proposed holding similar events on a quarterly basis to address immediate needs and issues for better healthcare services in the country.
In an interview session with CEOAFRICA, Professor Usifoh expressed his joy at the event taking place during his presidency. He expressed confidence in the minister and the president's ability to bring down the cost of drugs, making them accessible to the average person.
Honourable Minister Muhammad Ali Pate, in his remarks, revealed that the industry players are now proactive and that healthcare is a key part of the president's "hope agenda." The administration is actively pursuing local pharmaceutical manufacturing to allow the industry to thrive and subsequently reduce the cost of medication. The government is also actively wooing manufacturers to produce in Nigeria.
Professor Usifoh, an academic pharmacist, obtained his BPharm from Obafemi Awolowo University and his MSc from Sussex University in England. He holds a PhD from Westfalischen Wilhelms-University in Germany and joined the University of Benin in 1993. He has served as the Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and is currently the 38th President of the PSN.
With his vast experience and expertise, Professor Usifoh is dedicated to addressing the challenges of medication affordability and accessibility, working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure better healthcare services for all Nigerians and has also proven what an infectious leader he is as he consistently put PSN at the frontline of the healthcare system.
