Stakeholders across the health sector have called on West African countries to urgently strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains and reduce dependence on imported medicines, as the Pharma West Africa Exhibition & Conference 2026 kicked off in Lagos.
The three-day conference brought together policymakers, regulators, manufacturers, investors, and healthcare professionals under the theme “Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Strengthening for Self-Sufficiency in West Africa.” Discussions focused on improving medicine security and building more resilient healthcare systems across the region.
Industry leaders warned that the region’s heavy reliance on fragmented procurement systems and donor funding is no longer sustainable, urging a transition toward integrated, locally driven pharmaceutical production supported by stable financing.
Chairman of the planning committee and former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ahmed Yakasai, said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in global supply chains, leaving African nations vulnerable during disruptions.
“Dependence on external systems puts our nations at risk… we are here to build systems that endure,” he said, stressing the need for long-term solutions that prioritise patient access to essential medicines.
Calls for financing and system reforms
Delivering a keynote address, Olamide Okulaja of Maisha Meds International questioned why Africa still imports more than 70 percent of its medicines despite having local manufacturing capacity.
He explained that many pharmaceutical companies operate below capacity due to poor demand visibility and fragmented procurement systems, arguing that the challenge is less about production and more about system integration.
Okulaja also warned that declining donor funding for major health programmes is forcing governments to rethink healthcare financing, calling for a shift toward insurance-based systems that provide predictable funding and support large-scale production.
According to him, reforms such as stronger health insurance frameworks, access to affordable credit for pharmacies, and long-term investment in manufacturing are essential to achieving self-sufficiency.
Strengthening the role of professionals and policy support
Former president of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, highlighted the crucial role played by pharmacists during the pandemic and urged stakeholders to commit to ethical practices and practical reforms.
Meanwhile, Akin Abayomi, called on the sector to support government policies on diagnostics, particularly the “test before treat” approach.
He noted that limited access to rapid diagnostic tools in many pharmacies continues to affect treatment outcomes and contributes to inappropriate drug use.
The conference is expected to generate actionable strategies to improve local drug production, strengthen supply chains, and position West Africa for greater pharmaceutical independence.
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