ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

The Federal Government has set up two committees to tackle the scourge of drug abuse especially among youths.

The committees, according to the Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, include a presidential Advisory Committee and Ministerial Committee on drug abuse.

He spoke in Ibadan, Oyo state capital yesterday during the 91st annual conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) with the theme, ““Innovative Disruption in Pharmacy in Emerging Economies: A Roadmap For Nigeria”.

Adewole said the government was worried by the issue of drug abuse and it is determined to frontally address the menace.

Represented by the Director, Food and Pharmaceutical Services, Moshood Lawal, the Minister expressed delight that the PSN had taken up the battle against drug abuse and assured the Federal Government would collaborate with the society to stem the tide.

He disclosed that committees would be inaugurated and immediately swing action.

The minister, who noted that the PSN has a great role to play in stemming the tide of drug abuse, said the government would continue to support the society.

According to him, the pharmaceutical sector revolves around the lives of every Nigerian and the government has to be concerned about development in the industry.

Speaking further, the Minister assured that the stakeholders will, in few years’ time, come up with a single regulatory body for registering and monitoring of drugs in circulation within Africa.

He commended the soon would into the out- going President of PSN for his continuous engagement with the Federal Government on issues affecting the healthcare system in the country.

PSN President, Ahmed Yakasai recalled that in March 2018, he inaugurated the PSN Narcotics and Drug Abuse committee to study the trends and challenges and indeed review the current situation of drug abuse in Nigeria.

This he said was followed up with workshop for journalists on drug abuse, adding, “The core concept of primary prevention of drug abuse is paramount as journalists are vital in disseminating accurate information”.

He said the PSN is not afraid of disruptive technology as the society has come up with different innovations in technology like the PSNPay which is an online platform to digitalize our payment of capitation.

“We also launched Pharma

From left: Former Kano State governor, Mal. Ibrahim Shekarau; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ahmed Yakasai; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Moses Alake Adeyemo; and Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during the 91st PSN Annual Conference in Ibadan yesterday.