Pharmacists Receive Hands-On Training On Counterfeit Drug Detection

Pharmacists from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, and Nasarawa states have undergone hands-on training in counterfeit drug detection as part of efforts to curb the circulation of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria.

The training, titled Test and Stock for Medicines Against Counterfeiting, was organised by the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), Abuja Branch, in collaboration with the Bioscientific Research Group of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy at the University of Uyo.

Speaking at the workshop, Professor Sunday Awofisayo of the University of Uyo said counterfeit medicines pose serious risks to public health, including treatment failure, prolonged illness, organ damage and avoidable deaths.

He urged pharmacists to strengthen medicine quality assurance by testing suspicious products before dispensing them to patients.

The Zonal Coordinator of WAPCP, FCT Zone, Dr Tijani Mufutau, said the training was aimed at empowering pharmacists to identify counterfeit medicines and protect Nigerians from the health and economic consequences of fake drugs.

Workshop lead and Immediate Past Zonal Coordinator of WAPCP Abuja Zone, Dr Abubakar Danraka, described counterfeit medicines as a major public health concern. He noted that participants were being trained in practical, affordable techniques that can be deployed in pharmacies and health facilities to detect suspicious medicines.

Also speaking, former National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Dr Albert Alkali, urged Nigerians to obtain medicines only from registered pharmacies, warning that counterfeit drugs could lead to severe health complications and undermine confidence in the healthcare system.

Participants at the workshop, including the Head of Pharmacy at the National Hospital, Abuja, Pharm. Clara Adesola; Pharm. Rahma Issa of Jummai Babangida Aliyu Maternity and Neonatal Hospital, Minna, and Lydia Omoni of the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, called for stronger regulation, continuous professional training and increased support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

They stressed that expanding such training nationwide would help reduce the prevalence of counterfeit medicines and improve patient safety.