PWDAN Chairman’s address at the inauguration

Distinguished guests, industry leaders, and colleagues….

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024 of the
Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria. The theme for this year’s
conference, “ENHANCING ACCESS TO QUALITY, SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND AFFORDABLE MEDICINES.
THE ROLE OF THE PHARMA DISTRIBUTOR/WHOLESALERS IN NIGERIA,” is a testament to our
unwavering commitment to driving the growth and development of the pharmaceutical industry in
Nigeria.

I am truly honored to stand before you today, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to
everyone who have been a part of this journey that PWDAN represents, special appreciation goes
to all of you for taking the time to be here. Your presence is a testament to your dedication and
passion for our industry, and it is through events like this that we can come together, share knowledge,
and chart a course towards a brighter future.

As the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria, I am
acutely aware of the crucial role that we play in the pharmaceutical supply chain. We are the vital
link between manufacturers and healthcare providers, ensuring that quality, safe, effective, and
affordable medicines reach the hands of those who need them the most.

Our industry is faced with numerous challenges, from regulatory hurdles to supply chain disruptions,
but it is through our collective efforts and the expertise of our members that we can overcome these
obstacles. Today, we are privileged to have a repertoire of knowledge in our keynote speaker and
panelists, who will share their insights and strategies on how we can enhance access to quality, safe,
effective, and affordable medicines in Nigeria.

As we delve into the discussions and deliberations in continuation of this conference that started
yesterday with a training of our members by the regulators on good storage and distribution
practices, I encourage you all to actively participate, share your experiences, and contribute to the
collective wisdom that will shape the future of our industry. Together, we can drive innovation,
improve distribution channels, and ensure that every Nigerian has access to the essential medicines
they need.

In closing, I would like to once again express my gratitude to all of you for being here today. Special
thanks to our sponsors for believing in PWDAN and supporting us despite the economic challenges,
our regulators (PCN and NAFDAC) for always giving us a listening ear and supporting our efforts,
our parent associations the PSN and ACPN for your continued support to PWDAN since inception.
The keynote speaker and panelist for accepting to be a part of this discussion, our chairman for
today who graciously accepted to lead proceedings for this program, the list goes on. Thank you all.

Let us use this opportunity to network, learn, and collaborate, as we work towards a stronger, more
resilient, and more equitable pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria that guarantees access to quality,
safe, effective and affordable medicines for all

Thank you, and I wish us all a productive and engaging conference.

Omaruaye Ogheneochuko
Chairman PWDAN