FG Seeks Pharmacists’ Collaboration In Fight Against Fake Drugs

The Federal Government has called on pharmacists across the country to collaborate with government agencies, academia, and industry stakeholders to combat drug counterfeiting and antimicrobial resistance in the healthcare sector.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack, made this appeal during the inauguration of Ibrahim Ayuba as the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the investiture of 145 new fellows of the society in Abuja.

Walson-Jack reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of healthcare professionals, recognising pharmacists as key players in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring drug security, and promoting public health.

“The role of pharmacists in the healthcare system cannot be overemphasised. As custodians of medicines, drug therapy, and pharmaceutical care, they play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of citizens,” she stated.

She also commended the PSN for upholding the highest ethical and professional standards, adding that the government would continue to implement policies that support professional development, encourage research, and foster an enabling environment for pharmaceutical practice.

In his address, the newly inaugurated PSN President, Ibrahim Ayuba, called on the Federal Government to develop functional manpower to improve healthcare delivery and address the sector’s challenges, including negative health indices and brain drain.

Ayuba highlighted the approval of the health system consultant cadre in pharmacy practice as a significant step toward strengthening healthcare services. However, he lamented the slow implementation of the policy despite approvals dating back to 2011 and renewed in 2021.

He accused Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) of frustrating the process, stating that less than 15 per cent of FHIs had appointed consultant pharmacists more than 15 months after all necessary approvals were secured.

“It is the height of disrespect that the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation issued a circular months ago, yet civil servants flagrantly disobey it without consequences. This act of indiscipline must be revisited,” Ayuba said.

He further criticised state governments for their lack of commitment, noting that only 10 states had approved the consultant cadre, with Lagos State’s failure to implement it since 2018 being particularly concerning.

Ayuba also raised alarm over the increasing influx of fake drugs into the country, citing the recent closure of major drug markets in Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha as a sign of the growing crisis.

He called for the urgent reconstitution of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to enable full regulatory enforcement in the pharmaceutical sector, stressing that the lack of a legally constituted PCN was hindering efforts to combat counterfeit drugs.

“The PCN and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) must be allowed to collaborate in managing the fallout of the sealed drug markets. There are genuine players in these markets, and the PCN must be empowered to ensure compliance with regulations,” he stated.

He urged the Federal Government to inaugurate the PCN board, emphasising that stronger regulatory enforcement was necessary to tackle the trillion-naira fake drug market.

Ayuba assured the government and Nigerians that under his leadership, the PSN would uphold the ideals of Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.