PWDAN urges FG to establish more petrochemical industries

Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN) has urged the Federal Government to focus on building more petrochemical industries to support the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in the country.
  
The association complained that the country’s import dependency on pharmaceuticals is plunging it into a scarcity risk, especially with the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Speaking at a press conference to herald the inauguration of the association, in Lagos, yesterday, Chairman PWDAN, Ernest Okafor, also decried the dearth of digitalised supply chains for pharmaceuticals, adding that there was a proliferation of unethical drug supply in the country.
  

He said: “There is a need to boost the supply chain integrity in pharmaceutical practice in all its ramifications. We are partnering NAFDAC and Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria to achieve a WHO prequalification in global Good Pharmaceutical Distribution Practice (GPDP). Our members are deploying information technology in their daily operations, thereby assisting in data collection, collation and overall analytics giving a bespoke approach to our operations.”
  
He further assured that PWDAN would intensify efforts in promoting best practices in the pharmaceutical supply chain and contribute to the advancement of supply chain integrity in pharmaceutical practice. 
  

“We intend to achieve these by maintaining ethical standards in the distribution of drugs from the manufacturer to the patients for the well being of the average Nigerian and economy. This action portends to enhance access to safe, quality and effective affordable medicines to the population and in safeguarding public health.
  
“The association would also develop digital business networks to achieve greater visibility, efficiencies and agility in the pharmaceutical supply chain with emerging positive impact on reducing faking and distribution of unwholesome medicines in Nigeria.”