Pharmaceuticals play big role in community
BRAAMFONTEIN – Manaf Kottakkunnmmal is passionate about the pharmaceutical industry.
Over the past few years, South Africa’s pharmaceutical industry has undergone a significant change. This network consists of manufactures,distributors and dispensers which have developed at a vast rate.
Manaf Kottakkunnummal (29) is currently working on his doctoral thesis in the broad area of Migration of Indian Labour and Capital to Africa and Issues of Global Responsibility at Wits university. He hosted a seminar on his finding at The Centre for Indian Studies in Africa(CISA) on 20 August.
His research was funded by the Ministry of Indian Oversees Affairs. “Today’s talk was about the importance of logistics in the circulation of pharmaceuticals in the private and public sector”, Kottakkunnummal said.
In addition during his presentation, he highlighted the importance of the distribution of medicine such as ARVs and high blood pressure medication to patients who need them systematically compared to other medicines. Due to the challenges the country faces, change will continue in areas of funding and in structure of the industry with the goal of providing increased healthcare to South Africans that is as cost effective and efficient as possible.
During his days in India, Kottakkunnummal was an active student activist who was involved in initiatives such as factory workers’ struggles. His passion for human rights are realised in his studies.”I’m passionate about writing manuscripts that create transparency between pharmaceuticals and society,” he said.
