The 23rd edition of NECCI PR Roundtable will take place on 27th and 28th October at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Each day session starts at 10 am, the organisers said.
According to NECCI PR, this edition has the theme, ‘Fighting the Scourge of Illicit Trade in the Pharma Industry: The Role of Communication’ with speakers including the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; and the immediate past Chairman of Access Bank, Dr. Dere Awosika.
Others are the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.); Professor of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Mbang Femi-Oyewo; and Founder/MD of Biofem Group, Femi Soremekun.
The Founder/Convener of NECCI PR Roundtable, Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun said that the roundtable would also feature a professional PR programme on lobbying and advocacy on Day 2 with global thought leaders such as CEO/Founder of Proshare Nigeria, Olufemi Awoyemi; Consultant/Corporate Advisor at FSA Credential Holder, Bolarinwa Onaolapo; and Lecturer at St. Augustine University, Tanzania, Dr. David Mrisho.
On the rationale for this year’s theme, Ali-Balogun explained: “In an increasingly interconnected world, the pharmaceutical industry faces a significant challenge: the rise of illicit trade. Counterfeit drugs, substandard medications, and unauthorised distribution pose serious risks to public health and safety. As stakeholders in this critical sector, we must come together to combat this scourge effectively.
“This year’s conference will highlight the role communication will play in curbing the flagrance of drug counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical industry. The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (NPHDA) said that over 70 per cent of medicines being dispensed in Nigeria were sub-standard. About 120,000 Africans die annually, according to Brazzaville Foundation. A lot of Nigerians have been hard hit by this menace. According to medical experts, some of the health issues ranging from loss of sight and hearing defects as well as kidney and liver issues are caused by substandard drugs or abuse thereof. Many lives have been lost and some maimed for life.
“Despite counterfeit medicines’ health and safety risks, public awareness of the prevalence and consequences of taking such drugs is lacking. The 23rd episode of the roundtable, therefore seeks to advocate for radical and lasting interventions for this problem through strategic informational communication campaigns that focus on attitude change to curtail the global counterfeit medicines market and ensure public health and safety”.
According to Ali-Balogun, effective communication plays a pivotal role in addressing illicit trade within the pharmaceutical industry and “collectively we can strategically educate our consumers through awareness campaigns”.
She further said that public awareness campaigns can empower consumers to recognize counterfeit drugs and make informed choices. By disseminating information through various channels, including social media, radio, and community events to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit
pharmaceuticals and help to bring culprits to book.
Ali-Balogun said that the fight against illicit trade in the pharmaceutical industry requires a multifaceted approach; one that combines communication, regulation, technology, and collaboration. By working together, we can safeguard public health and ensure that patients receive safe and effective medications.
She added that NECCI Public Relations Roundtable would gather renowned experts under the same roof to examine the pressing concerns surrounding illicit trade in the pharmaceutical sector, which poses substantial threats to public health and national security and find ways to proffer workable solutions through strategic communication.
“Attendees will cut across key players in the pharmaceutical industry, innovative business leaders and key opinion leaders in the public relations and other sectors.
“The roundtable consistently attracts participants including business executives, investors, civil leaders, distinguished diplomats, traditional public relations executives, publicists and general strategists, corporate communication executives, business development executives, entrepreneurs and captains of industry as well as general stakeholders within economic and social sectors targeted by the current theme” she said.
For over two decades NECCI PR Roundtable has become Nigeria’s greatest Public Relations Conference and a representation of PR professionals and their contributions to diverse sectors. More than a hundred partners have recognised this powerful channel to network, connect and engage communication experts across the country and globally.
