POST-EVENT SUMMARY

PLA2022 Opening keynote address Dr. Omar Najim

PLA2022 POST-EVENT SUMMARY

PNYX was was particularly delighted to host the4th edition of Pharma Logistics Africa (PLA2022), held on 12-13 October 2022 at the Radisson Blu Nairobi Upper Hill Hotel, Kenya, it having been 2019 since our previous in-person PLA event (2020 and 2021 being virtual). In our continued efforts to facilitate growing collaboration across the region, PNYX welcomed almost 250 participants from Government which included Ministries of Health, Food and Drugs Authorities, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), IGAD Health & Social Development Division alongside UN agencies such as UNOPS, UNPD, UNICEF and organisations such as Amref Health, the African Union - Africa CDC, USAID, World Vision, IOM, Médécins Sans Frontières, PATH, PanAfricare and many more, for a busy few days of workshops, high-level plenary sessions, keynote speeches, workshops, networking, and afternoon 1-2-1 matchmaking meetings, all discussing lessons learned, current challenges and future priorities across the pharmaceutical, health, and logistics spectrum on the African continent.

PRE-EVENT: TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER

Pharma Logistics Africa (PLA2022) commenced with three pre-event workshops. The first was an IFRC Logistics Supplier Workshop hosted by Rishi Ramrakha, Head of the Regional Logistics Unit - Africa within Global Humanitarian Services & Supply Chain Management, at IFRC - the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, where delegates and sponsors could find out more about how to become a supplier of IFRC, and their procurement, contracting, and purchasing processes. The second was a Doing Business with the UN Workshop given by two representatives of the United Nations Secretariat Procurement Division (UNPD), Tigabu Adane Ayele, Procurement Officer & Team Leader - Uganda, and Muhammed Riad Islam, Procurement Officer & Healthcare Team Leader. Together they presented fundamentals on doing business with the UN in terms of procurement, areas of operation and types of goods & services, statistics, and challenges in peacekeeping procurement. The third of the day was a USAID Funding Workshop conducted virtually by Rachel Chilton, Deputy Director of Communications within the Office of Acquisition & Assistance, USAID who presented how to work with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Agency’s operations by giving tips for submitting proposals and funding opportunities etc. The pre-event day concluded with delegates convening at the Radisson’s Humidor Bar & Lounge for an ‘ice-breaker’ Networking Reception in a relaxed and informal setting, whilst enjoying a range of canapés and refreshments. Sponsors were able to setup their exhibition stands whilst Panel Chairs were able to engage their fellow panellists ahead of the two days of discussions to follow.

DAY ONE: WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

Day one of PLA2022 began with an Opening Ceremony offering remarks from Benjamin Hardy, Director of PNYX Ltd, PLA2022’s Official Conference Chair Dr. Girum Hailu Maheteme, Senior Advisor at IGAD’s Health & Social Development Division and Regional Coordinator for COVID-19 Response, and Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, CEO of the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF). They all highlighted the importance of PLA2022 as a great opportunity to interact, share experience and best practices, network and get to know one another for effective partnerships. Following was an Opening Keynote Address, given remotely by Dr. Omar Najim, Chief Advisor & Director of Special Programmes at the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, and the HOPE Consortium. Dr. Najim spoke about response and the challenges faced from a supply chain perspective, and the community, during the pandemic and about Hope Consortium’s work which enables safe and effective vaccination programmes in partnership with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Ports, Etihad Cargo, Rafed, Maqta Gateway and SkyCell. He also highlighted Hope Consortium’s large effort towards collaboration especially on the Africa Continent.

PLA2022

“THE PLA2022 EVENT OFFERS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT, SHARE BEST PRACTICES, NETWORK AND KNOW ONE ANOTHER ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP”

Looking at the discussion panels, of which there were six across the two days, each featuring live Q&A, Panel One, chaired by Dr. Amit N Thakker, President of the Africa Healthcare Federation, tackled Re-thinking Africa’s Pharmaceutical Sector - Lessons Learned from COVID-19. Panelists emphasized that collaborators, stakeholders, and key players in Ministries of Health, NGOs, Regulators, Manufacturers must all understand the same language to work together in supply chain and also encourage companies to produce vaccines in Africa. Panelists also noted lessons learned from COVID in terms of understanding the role of pharmacists which are often underutilized partners in Africa’s health systems, stressing how pharmacists within the African continent are all professionally trained; however, they need to be empowered. This opening Panel was followed by a Spotlight Presentation - Ethiopian Airlines, the first African IATA CEIV Pharma Certified Airline, which was given Bisrat G. Mariyam, Head of Pharmaceuticals & Life Science Logistics, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services providing an overview of the services provided by the Ethiopian Pharma Cargo Wing. Following a brief Networking Tea & Coffee Break, providing an opportunity to explore the various exhibition stands, Panel Two on Improving Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Sustainability and Transparency in Africa: New Technologies & Innovation was chaired by Setota Keabetswe Ramoshebi, Commercial Operations & Distributor Excellence Leader - Africa of BD. Panellists discussed the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to innovate and elevate supply chain systems. This can be done through the harmonization of supply chain and regulatory process for easier movement of goods between countries. They also highlighted the significance of having a digital strategy and transformation within public

sector, to scale up solutions as well as an independent broker in the middle to ensure that private and public sector keep in their terms to ensure visibility within the supply chain. PLA2022

“COUNTRIES IN THE REGION NEED TO HARMONIZE PRODUCT REGULATORY PROCESS THAT ALLOWS FOR EASIER MOVEMENT OF GOODS

PLA2022 BETWEEN COUNTRIES”

“DIGITAL STRATEGY AND TRANSFORMATION WITHIN PUBLIC SECTOR ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO SCALE SOME SOLUTIONS”

After an informative morning of panel discussions and presentations, delegates enjoyed a delightful Networking Lunch Break, continuing discussions ahead of the afternoon 1-2-1 PLA Public-Private Sector Matchmaking Meetings. In the weeks leading up to the event, delegates were able to identify their preferred matchmaking meetings from the delegation of PLA2022 officials, through PNYX ‘s secure scheduling website. Pre-event, meeting schedules were finalized and confirmed to all participants to maximize potential outcomes of our personable format of 15-minute matchmaking meetings. Wednesday afternoon featured hundreds of one-toone meetings with many organizations taking back-to-back appointments throughout. Participants were quick to identify their value and praise their efficiency. Finally, to wrap-up day one, PNYX wanted to ensure all PLA2022 participants had the opportunity to enjoy Nairobi’s hospitality and were treated to an Event Dinner in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant. Generously sponsored by the HOPE Consortium, participants were able to experience an extensive range of delicious barbeque food, whilst enjoying the outdoor ambience and local Kenyan entertainment/dancing.

PLA2022 Opening comments. Conference Chair, Dr. Girum Hailu Maheteme PLA2022 Welcoming Address. Dr. Anastasia Nyalita

“COLLABORATORS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND KEY PLAYERS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN ALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE SAME LANGUAGE IN ORDER TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SAME THING”

“REGULATIONS SERVE AS IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCKS, AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACT NOW”

“WE MUST PROVIDE CAPACITY TO THE LOCAL INDUSTRIES TO ENHANCE SKILLED QUALIFIED PERSONNEL WHICH CAN HANDLE AT LEAST THE BASIC ESSENTIAL MEDICINES PRODUCTIONS IN THE REGION”

DAY TWO: THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

PLA2022’s Conference Chair Dr. Girum Hailu Maheteme of IGAD, returned to the stage in the Mount Kilimanjaro Ballroom for Day Two’s Welcoming Remarks, offering a brief summary of day one’s key discussion points whilst picking out a few of those that lie ahead for Thursday. Day two started with a Spotlight Address from Titus Munene M’Maeti, Ag. Project Director at the Mission for Essential Drugs & Supplies (MEDS). Mr. M’Maeti spoke about the challenges in essential medicines in terms of supply chain disruptions, storage, logistical barriers, and shortages during the COVID-19 lockdowns, as well as the work that MEDS continues to carryout. He also offered solutions such as creating a platform for open information sharing thus reducing issues like stockpiling. Chaired by Dr. Winnie Nganga, Chairperson of the Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (KAPI) and Regulatory Affairs Director at GSK, Panel Three looked at Africa’s Legal and Regulatory Environment - what it means to have a good African regulatory and stable health system that can support its own domestic manufacturing. Panelists highlighted how crucial it is for Africa to harmonize all its activities to guarantee a strong and legal regulatory system, whilst creating an attractive environment for investors. Speakers stated that this can done through streamlining regulatory processes, by looking into local governments, regional agencies, and manufacturers which can ensure an operating system through a harmonized regulatory systems and channels. Panel three was followed by a Spotlight Session: PATH Understanding Market Dynamics of Maternal, Newborn, Child Health (MNCH) Medical Devices in Kenya given jointly by Helen Kamau, Market Dynamics Officer, and Andolo Miheso, TMICI Project lead-KENYA of PATH. Both speakers provided insights and opportunities for policymaking in terms of funding, medical education training, maintenance, infrastructure development, lack of data etc. Following a Networking Tea & Coffee Break, Panel Four on Building Resilient Public Health Systems & Stronger Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response to Public Health Emergencies in Africa was chaired by Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, CEO of the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF). The panel stressed on the need to speak with one voice, collaborate beyond health, and the importance of global standardization. Going forward, this will allow actors to be better prepared to contain and prevent pandemics and emergencies. Panel 5 Understanding Community-Level Responses to Public Health Emergencies highlighted the important role of the community and health workers in their responses during covid. However, speakers highlighted that often the community lack the proper coordination, technology, and toolsets to reach an adequate level of readiness. As coordination is still not strong enough in Africa, it is important to equip the community with tools and harmonized datasets which can be used rapidly to be more efficient. Offering some time for reflection from the morning’s sessions, participants headed for a Networking Lunch Break before the remaining spotlight addresses and panel discussions of PLA2022.

PLA2022

“WE MUST LOOK INTO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MANUFACTURES IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A DOMESTIC PHARMACEUTICAL IN AFRICA AND IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN A HARMONIZED REGULATORY SYSTEM”

“FROM INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES TO REGIONAL BLOCKS AND NOW WE HAVE A CONTINENTAL BODY TO DO REGIONAL HARMONIZATION”

PLA2022

“HOW CAN WE BETTER PREPARE, BETTER CONTAIN AND PREVENT? PREPAREDNESS IS A MUST BETWEEN PANDEMICS”

“WE NEED TO COLLABORATE BEYOND HEALTH AND SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE”

“COORDINATION IN AFRICA IS NOT VERY STRONG. WE MUST IMPROVE THAT COORDINATION”

The afternoon continued with a Spotlight Address – PharmAccess given by Mac-Thompson Gbeti, Brand Ambassador of the PharmAccess Foundation, on using a digital supply chain platform to curb the inefficiencies in medicine procurement. And finally, Panel 6 on Management & Distribution of Vaccine & Medical Products to and within Africa, chaired by Vinod Guptan, Board Director & Chairman of the Supply Chain Committee at the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF), discussed last mile delivery to ensure a harmonized supply chain, and the readiness to work together. Speakers noted the importance of systems coupled with technology can ensure that patients get product in their last mile. Day two, and the 4th Pharma Logistics Africa (PLA2022) forum, drew to a close with some final words from 2022’s Official Conference Chair Dr. Girum Hailu Maheteme, Senior Advisor at IGAD’s Health & Social Development Division and Regional Coordinator for COVID-19 Response, offering a generous thank you to all the participants for their commitment and willingness to challenge their ideas, and form a better understanding of the challenges effecting the pharmaceutical logistics health sphere in Africa, in an effective collaborative manner. PNYX Director, Benjamin Hardy shared his sincere appreciation with all the speakers and panelists for their presentations and dialogue, and for their time and commitment, not only to the forum itself but especially to the afternoon 1-2-1 matchmaking meetings. Additionally, he expressed his thanks to the local Kenyan suppliers for all the event materials, their excellent simultaneous translation work and general support, and to the staff of the Raddison Hotel for their professionalism. Lastly, and by no means least, Benjamin offered his sincere thanks to the valuable Sponsors of PLA2022, for their investment in making yet another great event possible. To conclude, all participants were encouraged to continue their discussions and new-found partnerships beyond the forum, to bring forth the change suggested throughout the event and hopefully return next year with great news of the progress made through their collaborations. Safe travels to everyone and we look forward to welcoming you at the 5th Pharma Logistics Africa forum in 2023! n

PLA2022

“SYSTEMS COUPLED WITH TECHNOLOGY CAN ENSURE THAT PATIENTS GET PRODUCT IN THEIR LAST MILE”

“THERE MUST BE READINESS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE SUPPLY CHAIN AND LAST MILE DELIVERY”

THE FIRST AFRICAN IATA CEIV PHARMA CERTIFIED AIRLINE