With iPHEX Africa in Nigeria fast approaching, the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) is gearing up to make its maiden international mega event a huge success.

The iPHEX, Africa which will be held in Nigeria from February 17-23, 2016 is receiving good response. According to Dr PV Appaji, director general of Pharmexcil, at present more than 60 pharma and biotechnology companies have confirmed their participation for the International Pharmaceutical Health Exhibition Expo in Nigeria. “iPHEX is India’s own international pharmaceutical event. We have designed it on the lines of CPhI and this is our first international overseas edition being organised in Nigeria. Through this mega event we want to propagate India’s brand image as a high quality and affordable pharmaceutical manufacturer and supplier,” said Appaji.

As this is India’s first international pharmaceutical event organised by Pharmexcil, there is a growing demand from the pharmaceutical companies to take part in this mega event. In view of this, the council is planning to increase the space at the iPHEX event.

Africa is a promising region for the Indian pharmaceutical exports. In view of this, government of India along with Pharmexcil is exploring newer regions for exporting the Indian pharmaceuticals to the unexplored destinations of in the African continent. As part of  this, Pharmexcil is organising a mega stand alone event in the form of iPHEX in Nigeria to attract the local importers build a long standing business network with the African countries. “We have already organised two stand alone programmes in Nigeria and with iPHEX it is our third event, but this time it is at a bigger scale. So far about 60 companies have already booked their spaces. We have rejected the request of about 10-15 companies as there is a space constraint,” said Appaji.

For the council’s first international event, there are about 1600 visitors who are expected to take part in Nigeria. “We have invited all the major local pharmaceutical associations from neighboring countries of Ghana and Niger. Dr. Paul Ohri, chief of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has also given us tentative confirmation to take part in India’s first international iPHEX. Apart from this, a government delegation comprising senior officials from department of commerce, health, pharma and DCGI will also visit Ghana for discussion with the regulatory officials of that country and press them for the recognition of Indian Pharmacopeia,” said Appaji.

Another delegation comprising the lead members from various pharma and biotechnology companies will also visit Sudan to take part in the buyer seller meetings with the local buyers. This meeting is organised in coordination with Indian Embassy in Sudan.