As Nigeria continues to occupy the position of the most counterfeit drug market in the developing world, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), called on President Bola Tinubu led federal government to collaborate with the society to tackle the menace.
the president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Prof Cyril Odianose Usifoh who stated this at a press briefing on the upcoming 96th annual conference of PSN, on Saturday, in Lagos, averred that this has led to fake drugs in circulation as majority of Nigerians did not have access to quality health services.
Usifoh also disclosed that over two million unregistered pharmaceutical premises, coupled with over 35 open drug markets, are operating in Nigeria,
The president lamented the thriving drug abuse and misuse culture of drugs which is seriously consuming Nigerians especially youths and even women, adding that, “We cannot as a nation have a consuming evil of the monstrosity, which has also been identified by the national assembly, hence the need to urgently address the menace.
The president therefore called on Tinubu-led administration to appoint the chairman of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), who is statutorily the chairman of the disciplinary tribunal of the PCN that can invoke sanctions on erring pharmacists, other members of the pharmacy workforce and pharmaceutical companies, thereby curbing the menace of substandard drugs.
“The federal government is compelled in section 9 (1) of the PCN Act 2022 to provide budgetary allocation to the PCN. It will therefore be unlawful and illegal for the budget office to stop allocations to the PCN in public interest,” Usifoh said, while appealing to the chief law officer to guide the Tinubu-led administration on this matter, as the fund is needed to help the Council to carry out its duty effectively.
On local drug production, PSN president averred that local drug manufacturing is the most important determinant of medicine security as it reduces delivery time, adding that, “There is no need for more elaborate international delivery logistic systems that will still have to connect with local delivery Challenges. Also, local manufacturers feel a greater burden to manufacture products for some conditions endemic in their areas of operation than so foreign manufacturers.
‘’There are also economic considerations in local manufacturing as a component of medicine security as direct and indirect employment as well as conservation of foreign exchange that prevent capital flight are all reasons to encourage local drug manufacturing.
As PSN holds its 96th annual national conference, from the 30th of October to 4th of November, 2023, in Gombe, Usifoh said the conference, themed: “Pharmacy Practice: A pivot to Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” will bring together key stakeholders who will deliberate on addressing challenges in the pharmaceutical sector.
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