FG sets up two committees on drug abuse
Info-Tech NDDG Platform to boost drug distribution and safety in the country. The PSN vision 2050 was also launched to develop a roadmap to guide our journey from where we are to where we are going to”.
Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi represented by the Deputy Governor, Moses Adeyemo tasked the pharmacists to address the issue of fake and adulterated drugs and the use of psychoactive medications.
“These are the stark realities of the present time which posed a lot of challenges to the future of healthcare provision in Nigeria”, he said.
He said the state is not only health focused but pharmaceutical friendly. Ajimobi disclosed that the Oyo state government continues to celebrate pharmacists and pharmaceutical profession in Nigeria with its 220 registered pharma premises, over 800 registered patent medicine stores with over 300 practising pharmacists in various health
In her key note address, President Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Pharm. Clare Omatseye said one of the challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector is the sub-standard medicine in circulation.
She said through the collaborate efforts of the Federal Government and the society in tackling the menace, the nation can achieve great results in due course.
She challenged pharmacists to be innovative in addressing the myriads of inefficiency in the drug distribution system.
“We need to disrupt the status quo. Pharmacists and doctors must be united because they have one common goal. In doing that, it will not be business as usual, we need to disrupt, we need to look at strategic collaboration”, Omatseye added.
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Tony Isama said the National Assembly recognizes the fact that medicine is an important national security issue and advised all stakeholders in the health sector to work together.
Former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau advised the pharmacists to always think about the wellbeing of their patients first and foremost.
“Their profession is a very Godly one because anything that has to do with the survival of human beings is a very Godly thing and my main concern is the health and wellbeing of humanity. I therefore call on every pharmacist to appreciate this. It is not about making money, they should remember that through their training God has bestowed on them the wellbeing and welfare of humanity”.