The pharma industry is truly global. It transcends geographical boundaries, spans cultures, expertise and continents with the aim of helping patients.
Since working in pharma I don’t think there’s been a single project or team that I’ve been a part of that didn’t involve an international collaboration on some level. I’ve worked with teams across Europe, North America, South America, India, China, and Africa to deliver results. It’s been truly insightful and I’ve learnt loads working with colleagues from across the world.
My experience as a pharma professional working in an international environment is not unique. People working in pharma need to navigate these global collaborations and share knowledge and expertise that reaches far beyond national borders. Which is why it’s so important to learn about the global landscape of the pharma industry, because your work could bring you into contact with international healthcare systems and their nuances concerning medical practice, patient care, and healthcare outcomes.
Such understanding would have helped me a few years ago, when I was invited to take part as a medical writer in a patient-led meeting about the lived experience of sickle cell anemia in central Africa. My limited understanding of the healthcare systems of the participating countries and how pharma companies can interact with healthcare providers and patients in these geographies, meant I had a steep learning curve when starting this project. Glad to say that in the end, the project went really well and we were able to obtain helpful insights that will hopefully translate into better treatment practices for patients with sickle cell anemia in Africa going forward.
These experiences have taught me to always jump at opportunities to learn more about how the pharma industry interacts with different healthcare systems globally – I just never know when I might need to leverage such insights. That’s why I’m delighted to bring you subject matter expert Dr. Wossenseged Asrat (a practicing medic based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) on the role the pharma industry is playing in advancing African healthcare.
Wossenseged’s article highlights several important features about the impact global pharma companies are having in Africa, including:
- Human-centred progress
- Implementation of cutting-edge innovations
- Cultural insights around African healthcare systems
- The collaboration between pharma companies and healthcare
- Opportunities that exist for improving healthcare across Africa
This article is a must read for anyone interested in working in the pharma industry. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. I’d like to thank Wossenseged for his contribution to my learning. Over to Wossenseged….
Vicky (Founder of the Biomed Badass blog)
“Hi, I am Dr. Wossenseged Asrat, a young and passionate medical doctor and writer, driven by a profound love for medicine and a deep connection to humanity. I am always inspired by the timeless words of Hippocrates, ‘wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.’ I have dedicated myself to serving others through my medical career and sharing knowledge through the art of medical writing. With a humble and soulful approach, I strive to inspire and connect with a wider audience, as I believe that medical writing is not just a profession, but a profound quest to ignite hearts and minds.
Today, I embark on a captivating exploration into the role of pharma companies in advancing African healthcare systems, shedding light on the challenges and untapped opportunities that lie within. As a medical doctor, I have witnessed the miraculous power of a few milliliters of intravenous medication, breathing life back into a patient. Yet, I have also witnessed the heart-wrenching reality of lives lost due to the unavailability of life-saving drugs. For that, I invite you to join me while unraveling the profound impact that pharma companies can have on shaping the destinies of many. I welcome your thoughts, feedback, and connections as we embark on this meaningful endeavor. Please reach out to me at wossensegedasrat@gmail.com, and let’s create positive change together.”
Building a Healthier Africa: The Role of Pharmaceutical Companies in Advancing African Healthcare
Introduction
In a hidden corner of the vast African continent, a remote village becomes the backdrop for a gripping story of resilience and hope. Meet Amina, a young girl whose life hangs in the balance after falling gravely ill, on the verge of death. Every breath she takes becomes a desperate struggle, accentuating the urgent need for proper medical care in her community. Amina unfortunately passed away due to respiratory failure caused pneumonia at the young age of four years. This poignant tale of a young child’s life lost serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by countless individuals across Africa, underscoring the crucial importance of enhanced healthcare provisions. So, how can we bridge the gap and ensure that every individual, regardless of their location, has access to quality medical services?
In the tapestry of Africa’s healthcare industry, vibrant hues of hope, perseverance, and innovation intertwine. With unwavering commitment, healthcare professionals (HCPs) and pharmaceutical companies painstakingly craft a masterpiece that has the power to transform the lives of millions.
Yet, amidst this breathtaking panorama, there remain hidden pockets yearning to be illuminated by the radiance of progress. One such pocket is the urgent challenge of ensuring access to life-saving medications. Astonishingly, more than 50% of Africans lack the means to obtain essential medicines, leaving them defenseless against preventable diseases and ailments.(1) This heart-wrenching reality serves as a resounding call to action, compelling the healthcare industry to unite and forge a future brimming with compassion and healing.
The partnership between pharmaceutical companies and HCPs in Africa not only has the potential to address pressing medication issues and improve access to essential lifesaving medications on the continent, but also to drive advancements in medical research, innovation, and patient care. This collaboration offers opportunities for synergy, progress, and improved healthcare outcomes.
In this post, we will dig into the intricate dynamics, challenges, and untapped opportunities that arise from the interaction between pharmaceutical companies and HCPs in Africa.
Beneath the African Sky:
In the vast African healthcare system, the collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and HCPs is a powerful force, driving progress and innovation. Together, they navigate the complex terrain of diverse populations, tackling challenges and seizing opportunities to deliver quality care.
In the sprawling expanse of Africa, a continent teeming with over 1.3 billion souls, lies a profound dichotomy of challenges and opportunities in the realm of healthcare. Strikingly, while Africa shoulders 24% of the world’s disease burden, it is only blessed with a mere 3% of the global health workforce.(2) This glaring scarcity of HCPs, coupled with limited resources, forms formidable barriers to achieving universal access to high-quality healthcare for all.
In the face of daunting challenges, the African healthcare system has made remarkable progress, thanks to the efforts of pharmaceutical companies. These companies have spearheaded innovation, research, and the creation of life-saving treatments tailored to the continent’s unique healthcare demands. Here are some of the diseases they have made significant strides in tackling:
– Malaria
– HIV/AIDS
– Tuberculosis
– Diabetes
– Cardiovascular disorders
In the realm of HIV/AIDS, pharmaceutical companies have revolutionized the African healthcare landscape, introducing antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has transformed HIV from a death sentence to a manageable chronic condition. Through partnerships and initiatives, these companies have increased access to affordable and effective ART, saving countless lives and empowering individuals to live longer, healthier lives with HIV.
One prominent leader in this fight is Gilead Sciences, a pharmaceutical company that has pioneered pre-exposure prophylaxis with their groundbreaking drug, Truvada. This innovative approach has successfully reduced new HIV infections and played a crucial role in curbing the virus’s spread in Africa.
In a harmonious alliance, pharmaceutical companies and HCPs unite to not only deliver life-saving medicines, but also to empower local healthcare providers through training, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. This collaborative effort not only elevates the quality of care but also fortifies the healthcare infrastructure, ensuring it can effectively meet the ever-evolving needs of African communities.
The Challenges:
Amidst the partnerships formed between pharma companies and African healthcare systems, lies a myriad of unseen obstacles, from inadequate infrastructure to the persistent issue of limited access to essential medicines.
A profound obstacle to progress lies in the dearth of infrastructure. Insufficient healthcare facilities, limited electrical access, and inadequate transportation networks pose formidable challenges across many African nations. These barriers impede the timely delivery of vital medications and create hurdles that hinder HCPs from delivering optimal care. Incredibly, research reveals that a mere 34% of hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa can reliably access electricity, underscoring the urgent need for transformative change.(3)
The persistent issue of limited access to essential medicines poses significant challenges for HCPs dedicated to delivering quality care. With life-saving drugs often being unavailable or unaffordable, the consequences are dire. Surprisingly, approximately 1 in 5 African children are deprived of essential vaccines, resulting in over 30 million under-five children falling prey to preventable diseases each year on the continent.(4)
Despite the formidable challenges, HCPs and pharmaceutical companies persistently collaborate, employing innovative solutions to surmount these obstacles. Their collective efforts aim to enhance infrastructure, expand access to vital medications, and ultimately empower HCPs in delivering optimal care to their patients.
The Potential:
Endless possibilities await in Africa. The continent is brimming with untapped potential and unique challenges, which beckons pharmaceutical companies to make their mark. Here are some compelling opportunities that await companies eager to make a difference:
– Explore untapped markets and expand healthcare access, reaching millions of underserved individuals
– Collaborate with local communities to address unique healthcare challenges, fostering a deep understanding of cultural nuances and tailoring solutions accordingly
– Develop sustainable healthcare solutions that not only address immediate needs but also lay the foundation for a healthier future
– Invest in research and development for diseases prevalent in Africa, combating illnesses that disproportionately affect the population
– Forge partnerships with local healthcare providers and organizations, leveraging collective expertise and resources for impactful change
– Introduce affordable and accessible generic medications, ensuring that essential treatments are within reach for all
– Implement innovative healthcare delivery models, such as telemedicine, to bridge geographical barriers and provide remote access to quality care
– Contribute to capacity building and training of HCPs, empowering local talent to lead the charge in transforming healthcare
– Support disease prevention and health education initiatives, promoting a proactive approach to well-being and reducing the burden of preventable illnesses
– Participate in public-private partnerships to improve healthcare infrastructure, creating a robust system that can withstand future challenges
As a remarkable example, witness the power of collaboration in Africa’s healthcare landscape through the remarkable partnership between Novartis and the Kenyan Ministry of Health. With the launch of the Novartis Access program in 2015, their joint efforts have successfully provided affordable and high-quality medicines for non-communicable diseases in Kenya.(5) This groundbreaking initiative not only offers a portfolio of 15 essential medicines at accessible prices but also empowers HCPs through training and capacity-building programs, ultimately transforming the lives of patients and showcasing the immense potential of partnerships in Africa’s healthcare system.
On the other hand, it is crucial for pharma companies to recognize the significance of cultural backgrounds and avoid disregarding local rituals and beliefs. Failure to do so can hinder their ability to establish positive community relationships. A notable instance illustrating this is Pfizer’s clinical trial in Nigeria, involving the experimental drug Trovan for meningitis treatment.(6) The company faced backlash for lack of proper informed consent, not providing adequate medical care to participants, and inadequate consideration for cultural perspectives on healthcare. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the necessity to comprehend and respect cultural nuances when conducting medical research in diverse regions.
Through the transformative force of collaboration, African healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals have the potential to unlock boundless opportunities, transcending limitations and ushering in a new era of healthcare.
Summary
In the beautiful arena of African healthcare and pharmaceutical dynamics, lies a profound opportunity for transformative change. It is a delicate interaction between scientific precision and compassionate understanding, where innovation intertwines with cultural awareness, and global expertise harmonizes with local wisdom. Welcoming the challenges that lie ahead, we can unlock the immense potential of the African healthcare system. By nurturing innovation, forging strategic partnerships, and placing the needs of the people at the forefront, we can create a future where access to life-saving medicines knows no boundaries.
References
1.Yenet A, Nibret G, Tegegne BA. Challenges to the Availability and Affordability of Essential Medicines in African Countries: A Scoping Review. Clinicoecon Outcomes Res. 2023 Jun 13;15:443-458. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10276598/. doi: 10.2147/CEOR.S413546. PMID: 37332489; PMCID: PMC10276598.
2. Anyangwe SC, Mtonga C. Inequities in the global health workforce: the greatest impediment to health in sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2007 Jun;4(2):93-100. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3728573/. doi: 10.3390/ijerph2007040002. PMID: 17617671; PMCID: PMC3728573.
3. Adair-Rohani H, Zukor K, Bonjour S, Wilburn S, Kuesel AC, Hebert R, Fletcher ER. Limited electricity access in health facilities of sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of data on electricity access, sources, and reliability. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2013 Aug 14;1(2):249-61. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4168575/. doi: 10.9745/GHSP-D-13-00037.
4. https://www.afro.who.int/news/1-5-children-africa-do-not-have-access-life-saving-vaccines. Accessed Aug 2023.
5. https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/kenya-first-country-launch-novartis-access-expanding-affordable-treatment-options-against-chronic-diseases. Accessed Aug 2023.
6. Lenzer J. Secret report surfaces showing that Pfizer was at fault in Nigerian drug tests. BMJ. 2006 May 27;332(7552):1233. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1471980/ doi: 10.1136/bmj.332.7552.1233-a. PMID: 16735322; PMCID: PMC1471980.