By Ekunkonye Junior, Abuja
A candidate for the chairmanship of the Nigeria Association of Patent and Professional Medicine Dealers, NAPPMED, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) zone, Ikechukwu Anadimma, has promised to bridge the gap between medicine dealers and government agencies if elected.
Anadimma, who is the CEO of Dimma Healthcare Services, said his priority is to protect the business of members and improve regulation and training within the association. He explained that stronger collaboration with regulators would enhance the smooth operation of medicine outlets across the FCT.
Speaking during an interview, he said NAPPMED operates across Nigeria with a zonal structure that includes Abuja. He noted that his decision to contest is driven by the need to ensure dealers have better synergy with regulatory bodies and access to continuous education and professional development.
The aspirant said past leadership gaps had weakened cooperation between the association and government agencies, leading to lingering challenges at the grassroots. He vowed to involve God in his leadership and build stronger relationships with authorities if voted into office.
Reiterating his commitment to unity, Anadimma stated: “I want to bridge the gap and bring everybody together, so that we can have good synergy and help each other in the business of medicine.” He said collective understanding would benefit both dealers and the public they serve.
One of his key proposals is to engage the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, to reduce the cost of licenses and shorten the processing time. He added that he would also meet other relevant agencies to resolve outstanding issues between NAPPMED and regulators promptly.
Addressing members ahead of the election, he urged them to vote based on competence, knowledge, and capacity rather than sentiments or personal ties. He said credible leadership is essential to repositioning the association for greater impact.
Anadimma said he has earned the trust of members by consistently speaking up for them during meetings. He described himself as “the voice of the masses” who offers unbiased solutions whenever conflicts arise.
He highlighted the critical role of patent and professional medicine dealers in bringing healthcare closer to Nigerians. According to him, medicine outlets in local communities often provide urgent access to drugs like antimalarials before patients can reach hospitals.
To curb quackery, the aspirant proposed regular training, screening, and examinations to test members’ knowledge and encourage continuous learning. He said such measures would raise standards and strengthen public confidence in the association.