Over the years, PharmaConnect Africa has built itself a reputation as a credible platform for information sharing among key stakeholders and role-players working in Africa (ranging from regulatory authorities, local and multinational companies, academics and NGOs). This year, the conference will be divided into two sections: the main industry-focussed conference to be held on the 3rd and 4th of April, and a symposium to be held on the 5th of April.
Main conference – 3rd and 4th of April 2019
Cannabis symposium – 5th of April 2019
About the conference:
The theme for the main conference (3-4 April) is Reliance and Worksharing – lessons for Africa. The conference will discuss how reliance and worksharing models can be developed for use in general but with a particular focus on biological and biosimilar medicines.
The WHO has recognized the need for regulatory collaboration (often called reliance) in order to avoid duplication of work among regulators and thus ensure timely patient access to safe and effective therapeutic products. Reliance results in reducing the workload of regulators leading to more efficient use of limited resources to address greater complexity of issues in medicine regulation. Reliance may be achieved by information and/or work-sharing and mutual recognition of assessment and inspection results through a variety of mutual recognition agreements and national legislation.
Increasingly African regulators are taking up reliance and worksharing models especially with regards to the assessment of complex medicines, such as biological and biosimilar medicines where they have little capacity and technical expertise. PharmaConnect 2019 will tackle the issue of reliance and worksharing in Africa giving both industry and regulators perspectives. There will also be a special focus on biological and biosimilar medicines.
Several questions will be addressed, among them: What can Africa learn from reliance and worksharing models developed elsewhere? What resources are required and how can they be mobilized? What policies, procedures and legislation should be in place? What training is required for both regulators and industry? What are the pre-submission procedures to be followed? How will the procedures be implemented?
This year the symposium to beheld on the 5th of April will address the topic Developing the Medical Cannabis Industry in Africa.
There is a buzz about medical cannabis which is sweeping across (Southern) Africa, as elsewhere in Western Europe and North America. The marijuana plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids. Each one has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine.
Medicinal cannabis, or medicinal marijuana, is an emerging promising global industry but with still many legal, ethical, and societal controversies. The growing, therapeutic use, safe administration, and adverse health consequences all represent some of the complexities associated with this treatment.
The emergence of interest in botanical medicinal cannabis is an opportunity for African countries to turn this into a legitimate and well-regulated forex earner. To do this there is a need to build capacity from farm to bedside. The symposium will be an opportunity to hear from regulators, legal, agriculture, pharmaceutical and medical experts on how to build and sustain a medical cannabis industry in Africa.
POLICY ROUNDTABLE – CALL FOR TOPICS
The conference and symposium will follow a roundtable format with plenary speakers and discussants for each of the thematic area, followed by Q&A sessions. We have found that this engenders important dialogue.
SCIENTIFIC SESSION – CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Research presentations relevant to the main conference and the symposium are hereby invited. Abstracts for scientific poster and oral presentations (12 min) from researchers and students can be submitted to the secretariat for consideration by the Scientific Committee.
SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION
PharmaConnect Africa 2019 is an ideal platform to market services and products to a wide and diverse audience from across the African continent and beyond. We would therefore like to invite you to sponsor the event and /or exhibit your services and products at the venue. Please see below for more information regarding sponsorship and exhibition packages. Feel free to contact the secretariat with any queries for sponsorship and exhibition.
IMPORTANT DATES
Please bear the following dates in mind:
| Early bird registration (ends 10th February 2019 | Delegate | Exhibitor (includes 2 delegate) |
|---|---|---|
| Main conference + Symposium (3 days) | R3,900 | R9,900 |
| Main Conference only (2 days) | R3,100 | |
| Day registration only | R1,700 | |
| Late registration (ends 15th March 2019) | Delegate | Exhibitor (includes 2 delegate) |
| Main conference + Symposium (3 days) | R5,500 | R14,500 |
| Main Conference only (2 days) | R3,900 | |
| Day registration only | R2,100 | R5,200 |
| On-site registration (one day) | R3,700 |
NB. 5% surcharge on card payments at venue
We are delighted to have a highly reputable Scientific Review Committee that will work with the Secretariat to ensure a beneficial and rewarding conference experience for all participants. As in the past we aim to bring you a conference which will not only educate you on important trends in the pharmaceutical industry in Africa, but also create important networks which will enrich your work and inform your career.
We look forward to your active participation.
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
TIER 1 R50 000
BENEFITS
Three delegates admission at conference (both days)
One exhibition stand with one exhibitor
Company logo on conference website and book of abstracts
Promotional material in conference bag
TIER 2 R30 000
BENEFITS
One exhibition stand with one exhibitor
Company logo in conference website and book of abstracts
WEBSITE ADVERTISING ONLY R3 500
Logo placement in transition slide
Logo placement on the website immediately upon request and 2 months post-conference.
EXHIBITION PACKAGES
Early bird registration ends 10th February2019 – R9,900 (includes 2 delegates)
Late registration (up to 15th March 2019)– R14,500 (includes 2 delegates)
Stands are allocated strictly on the basis of first come, first served. Exhibition stands are 6sqm and will be located in the venue where all refreshments and lunches will be served. The floor plan will be finalized a week before the conference. Exhibitors will be contacted in order of bookings received to confirm their preferred stand and specific requirements.