At general assembly in Douala: Pharmaceutical distributors discuss ways of ensuring access to quality medicines in Africa.

This was the main objective of a thematic general assembly of the association which took place in Douala in the Littoral Region.

The meeting which ran from October 22 to 24, saw the presence of delegates from the Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria, Zambia, Cameroon, Tunisia, Morroco, Rwanda, The Republic of Côté d'Ivoire, amongst other member States. 

Speaking on behalf of all members present, the association's leader, of Moroccan origin, Lahcen Senhadji, said from its creation in October 2019, ADPA remains the only association that has succeeded to gather the principal actors in the chain of pharmaceuticals distribution in Africa.

Commenting on the theme: “Ensuring availability and improving access to quality medicines for African population”, Lahcen said it is parallel to the challenges and opportunities faced by the distribution industry. 

However, he was hopeful that at by the end of the day, they would make recommendations for each country and their policymakers that will help boost the sector. 

He called on members to make a retrospect of the associations activities and it helps in promoting access to quality medication in Africa.

Urgency to endure access of quality medicines

According to the United Nations, UN, more than two billion people in the world do not have access to essential medicines. 

Despite the absence of global and reliable statistical data, the World Health Organisation, WHO, estimates that of this third of the world's population, 50% is in Africa, only 50% of the African population has access to essential medicines.

Beyond the chronic shortage, medicines are the biggest expense for households. The expense can reach up to 60% of income depending on the pathologies. 

Indeed, the prices of "princeps" - branded medicines as opposed to generic medicines or generics are between 4 and 100 times more expensive than the international reference price. 

A study carried out in Mali by the WHO in 2016 revealed that 25% of medicines sold in the private sector were 10 to 50 times higher depending on the molecules and brands compared to the international reference price.  

In countries such as Zambia, Senegal and Tunisia, generic medicines such as Paracetamol can cost up to 30 times more than in the United Kingdom and the United States.

In a region where 41.1% of the population lives on less than 2 US dollars per day as is the case in Cameroon and many other ADPA member countries, the health situation can only be dramatic for some. 

Hence the ADPA initiative through the organisation of thematic general assemblies.

Durable solutions do exist 

Cameroon's Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, in his remarks, hailed the capacity of ADPA members to harness efforts to ensure equitable access to quality drugs.

Minister Manaouda was not oblivious of the challenges plaguing the distribution sector.

"That is still a major challenge to the population, health cannot be guaranteed without certainty in the source and efficiency of the drugs available everywhere and according to needs," he said. 

He added that hindrances caused by shortage in stock, accessibility and counterfeit, is a major setback in public health efforts, impeding government's zeal to provide adequate health care to its citizens. 

"However, durable solutions do exist and they can be driven by distributors of pharmaceuticals," he added.

Given that guaranteeing access is primordial to qualify health is a fundamental human right, the health minister added it is unacceptable that millions of Africans be deprived as a result of shortages in the market.

"The theme, of this meeting is part of the Universal health coverage that the state of Cameroon has set it first phase rolling since the start of the year, making reforms so that access to medicine should not be a privilege but a right for all citizens,” the minister continued.

As susceptible measures, Minister Manaouda pushed for the necessity to put in place diverse distribution chains. Cameroon, he said, has engaged in encouraging the growth of local pharmaceutical producers.

Notwithstanding the said steps, he enjoined members to work together. 

"This is what Cameroon has been doing but we need to work together…thus the role of distributor is vital ensuring each African country does lack quality medication," he added.

About ADPA

Officially formed in October 2018 as the only pharmaceutical distribution association that spans the African continent, the African Pharmaceutical Distribution Association, ADPA, which currently has members of various nationalities, strives to improve the efficient distribution of pharmaceutical products throughout Africa and promote collaboration within drug supply chains.

Following a project in early 2018 to assess the need and desirability of a new association, the first exploratory meeting was held in Lusaka, Zambia in November 2018.

The formation of a pan-African pharmaceutical distribution association was further discussed. The first countries represented were Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. 

The second meeting in Accra, Ghana in April 2019 followed and momentum continued with the adoption of statutes, an initial budget framework and a newsletter. 

With the aim of advancing health standards for African populations by bringing together representatives from countries across Africa. 

In partnership with various organisations, it works to secure supply chains and combat the proliferation of counterfeit products. 

In addition, it encourages and supports the creation of national associations of wholesalers and distributors on the African continent.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3273 of Monday October 28, 2024