Speaker Profile

BIOGRAPHY

Dr Assane Coulibaly is the Managing Director of the Ivorian Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (AIRP), an Independent Administrative Authority established by Ordinance No. 2017-541 of August 3, 2017. He provides strategic and operational leadership to the institution, ensuring the implementation of national pharmaceutical regulatory policies and the quality, safety, and availability of health products in Côte d’Ivoire. A Doctor of Pharmacy specialized in Industrial Pharmacy since 1991, Dr Coulibaly has over thirty years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector. A former pharmacy owner and deputy managing director for ten years, he possesses extensive expertise covering pharmaceutical production, distribution, and regulation. From 2012 to 2019, Dr Coulibaly served as President of the Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Côte d’Ivoire (APPCI), where he played a key role in strengthening the national pharmaceutical industry. He also served as Vice-President of the West African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (WAPMA) from 2012 to 2016 and remains a Permanent Member of the Executive Committee of this regional body under the auspices of ECOWAS. In recognition of his professional excellence and dedication to promoting Good Pharmaceutical Practices, Dr Coulibaly received the French Academic Prize of Pharmacy in 2022. He also acts as a consultant and speaker for various international organizations, addressing issues related to regulation, quality assurance, and the fight against counterfeit medicines. Visionary and committed, Dr Assane Coulibaly is dedicated to strengthening the regional pharmaceutical value chain and promoting the harmonization of standards in line with international best practices to ensure equitable access to safe, effective, and quality medicines.