Saraki, Ajimobi others want measures to boost pharmacy

• PSN begins 91st national conference today in Ibadan

STAKEHOLDERS in the health sector will today brainstorm in Ibadan toward enhancing service delivery in pharmacy practice.

The conference, tagged ‘Oluyole 2018’ is organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), as part of activities marking its 91st Annual National Conference.

They would discuss how health care could be effectively managed at significantly lower cost, while increasing access and quality, as well as issues of emerging economies involving innovative disruption in pharmacy. Key participants expected at the event are Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, President of Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Clare Omatseye, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso.

Saraki is expected in his keynote address, to discuss emerging innovations in the delivery of health care, particularly in developing countries, while seeking to offer insights into tackling the rising cost in the sector, which is estimated to be about $7 trillion every year.

President of PSN, Ahmed Yakasai, told yesterday that the theme of the conference: “Innovative Disruption in Pharmacy in Emerging Economies– A Roadmap for Nigeria,” was carefully chosen to advance the national discourse on survival and significance in a time of rapid and turbulent change.

He said: “Health care is consuming an escalating share of income in developed and developing nations alike. Yet innovators have found ways to deliver care effectively at significantly lower cost, while improving access and increasing quality.

“They are uncovering patterns for raising productivity, and leaders across health sectors, over which the public, private and social should take heed.”

He identified new approaches to the delivery, citing Mexico, among others, where a telephone-based health care advice and triage service is available to more than one million subscribers and their families for $5 a month, which is paid through phone bills.