President’s report to APF 2014 AGM, in Bangkok, Thailand on 1st September 2014.

Preamble

I am happy to be here to address my dear colleagues at yet another AGM. Indeed I left Dublin AGM with high hopes that we shall come up at this meeting with tangible result oriented programmes.

Unfortunately, we have not changed our attitude the way we do busy. Please be open and tell this AGM why National Associations are not paying their annual dues. The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa has challenged the whole world. We need scientist to raise up to the occasion in terms of developing a cure for this deadly virus.

Please find below some of our engagements since our last AGM:

1. PROPOSAL FOR FIP COORDINATED SUPPORT TO THE REGIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL FORUM Arising from the Forum President’s meeting with FIP President and Executive in the Dublin Congress, the Honourable Secretary and I worked on a document to improve on the output of APF as a forum in November 2013 please see details on the presentation. We are yet to receive support from FIP.

2. FIP TRAVEL GRANT

   APF Regional Secretariat received nine applications Nigeria (2) Kenya (5) Ethiopia (1) India (1) and as forwarded to us by FIP Headquarters. A committee headed by Dr. Mrs Joda screened all applications. Two candidates who scored the highest marks Oluwaseun Ayobami from Nigeria and Wanjiru S Frun from Kenya were recommended to FIP. They have since received their letters of Award including the benefit package.

3. WAPCP SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS

   The 2014 Scientific meeting of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) was held in Accra, Ghana from 10th – 14th March 2014.
   The theme of the conference was “The Impact of Fake and Substandard Drugs on Quality of Life in West Africa”. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Paul Lartey.
   The APF President who is also the Vice Chairman of the Faculty of Community Pharmacy participated actively at the scientific meeting.

4. PARTNERSHIP WITH WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) <

   I made visits to WHO to engage them on a project APF could benefit from. Details of our partnership to mount a programme later in the year are in a separate presentation and for your comments.

5. On August 19th 2014 and on behalf of the Faculty of Community Pharmacists, I brought WHO expert to a seminar on Ebola virus disease. The seminar was for pharmacists in Hospital and Community Practice in Nigeria. The seminar was well attended and a communiqué has since been issued on the role of pharmacists in Ebola virus epidemic outbreak.
   Please let us remember our colleagues who have passed on in the course of trying to help infected persons especially in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The faculty intended to replicate this in other affected countries.

6. INTEGRATION OF FRANCOPHONE COUNTRIES

   Exco tried to reach out to our French speaking brothers due to lack of funds, APF President could not attend their Annual event hosted by Cameroun in June 2014. Our Liaison Secretary represented Exco and highlights of the meeting are in the current edition of the African magazine.

7. WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY CELEBRATION

   We are glad to note that most National Organizations within APF marked the 2013 World Pharmacists Day. The theme was “Simplifying Your Medicines Use No Matter How Complex”

8. AFRICAN PHARMACISTS MAGAZINE

   The Exco has managed despite non-payment of dues by member countries to produce a new one tagged 10th Year Anniversary Edition. This edition will be on-line and we will try to post it on members e-mail addresses. However copies are available at this AGM.

9. NEW PORTFOLIO

   On a happy note, the Hon. Secretary Mohammed Elijah who has served APF over four years has just been engaged as the Registrar/Secretary of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria. With this development, he will no longer be able to serve APF as an Exco member
   A replacement will be announced at this AGM for ratification.
   On your behalf, we thank him for the services he rendered to APF and wish him well in his new assignment.
   Finally, I expect a change of heart from members so that together we can grow our forum properly. The world will not wait for our region. We must key into the moving train for progress.

Thank you