Orphan areas in the Pharmaceutical Sector

The International Pharmaceutical Forum (IPF) is an annual meeting for pharmacists and other health professionals to discuss issues relating to the development of the pharmaceutical sector. The meeting is organised under the aegis of the Inter-Order of Pharmacists of Africa (IOPA), the Intersyndical of Pharmacists of Africa (ISPHARMA), the Association of National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agencies (AANRP) or the Directorates of Pharmacy and Medicines (DPM), and the Association of Central Purchasing Agencies for Essential Medicines (ACAME). Launched by the African Council of Ministers of Health in Yaoundé in 1999, the first Pharmaceutical Forum was held in Benin in 2000. This year, Togo is hosting the 23ᵉ edition of the FPI, the main theme of which is: ”Universal access to healthcare: challenges, issues and prospects for the pharmaceutical sector”. During this forum scheduled from 3 to 6 July 2024, sub-themes will be addressed including the one on ”Orphan areas in the pharmaceutical sector”.

Context and rationale

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who specialise in medicines. As such, they are an important pillar of the healthcare system. They are involved in researching active molecules, checking their efficacy and safety, manufacturing, marketing authorisation, selection, setting prices and reimbursement rates, supply and distribution, drawing up standard therapeutic protocols and, finally, use (dispensing and monitoring the effects of medicines). The pharmaceutical profession is highly regulated and focuses on medicines, health products and laboratories. However, the areas of the profession are diversely represented, with some areas virtually absent; these “orphan” areas are nonetheless important in the healthcare system and contribute to the development of the pharmaceutical sector and access to care. The documentation shows that the fields are represented on average in the following proportions: dispensary (80%), industry (1%), wholesale pharmacists (7%), pharmacists in healthcare establishments and projects (5%), biologist pharmacists (1.5%), research and innovation pharmacists (3.5%), etc.

Although an integral part of their prerogative, it has become rare to find pharmacists practising in fields such as: phytopharmacy, cosmetology, humanitarian work, health insurance, research and innovation, hospital pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, etc…
The study of this sub-theme, “orphan areas in the pharmaceutical sector”, will enable us to gain a better understanding of the problem, by setting out the reasons and issues that explain this situation, and to devise strategies to improve the representativeness of areas with development potential.

General objectives

To assess the demographics of the pharmaceutical profession in Africa with a view to promoting and developing under-represented areas.

Specific objectives

  1. Explain how the profession is organised in different countries and identify orphan or under-represented areas;
  2. Examine a few examples of under-exploited areas such as: veterinary pharmacy, African pharmacopoeia, insurance pharmacy, humanitarian pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and cosmetology, which have developed in certain African countries;
  3. Describe the pharmaceutical demography on 31 December 2023 in the countries present.

Methodology

The theme will be addressed in the form of a conference-debate and presentations (oral and/or poster), led by experts and representatives from countries with experience of developing the areas identified as orphan areas. Poster presentations on the experience of the countries selected following the call for papers will be given during the sessions.

Expected results

  • Identification of under-exploited and unoccupied areas in the pharmaceutical sector;
  • An update of the pharmaceutical demography in our countries;
  • Recommendations for better professional occupation in the pharmaceutical field;
  • Advocacy to support the diversification of the pharmacist’s profession.

Outlook

Ultimately, discussions on this sub-theme should lead to the development of a network of pharmacy professionals who can help support training with a view to diversification.