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Pharmacists renew call for Buhari’s assent to PCN Bill

Femi Peters, Abeokuta

Pharmacists, under the aegis, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Ogun State chapter, have renewed calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the 2017 Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Bill in the interest of best practices of the profession.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new Executive of the association and investiture of merit award winners in Abeokuta, the state capital, Pharmacist Anthony Oyawole, noted that the bill when assented to by the President would aid self-sufficiency in local production and regulatory excellence in the pharmaceutical sector.

According to him, it was important to have laid down rules that guide the operations of the pharmacy at the retail, community, industrial level.

He said the association had believed the bill would be given approval by the President during the 8th legislature, they however remain hopeful that the 9th legislature would accelerate passing of the bill.

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“We had thought that the PCN bill would be assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari before the expiration of the 8th legislature.

“We are however hopeful that in the early years of this 9th legislature, our bill would be assented to so that it forms the basis for the operations of everybody in the pharmaceutical profession.

“The bill is very important because in any society, there must be a law that regulates the conduct of people.

“When you’re talking about health and pharmaceuticals in particular, because there are many players in the field, there must be set of rules that guide our operations at the retail, community, industrial level.

“We need the law to curb the proliferation of drugs, especially drugs that we are not sure of their origin.

“The bill must be assented to so that everybody knows his boundary. We must be able to trace every item of drug from where it is manufactured to where it is consumed.”

Pharm. Oyawole observed that Nigeria was losing a lot of money in the billion range to manufacturers of fake drugs.

While describing the loss as unquantifiable, he lamented that the pharmacy profession has become a heavy commercial affair.

“The rate of drug abuse in Nigeria is worrisome. All these banditry, thuggery,  terrorism, it is not with ordinary eyes.

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“Some people are using substances to do these heinous things.  Even codeine has to be banned. If there are no laws guiding those in this profession, how would you be able to apportion appropriate sanctions.

“It is a pity that pharmacy has become a heavy commercial affair.” he lamented.

In her remarks, the deputy governor of Ogun State, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health. Dr. Ekundayo Ayinde, stressed the need for a vibrant and innovative executive for the group.

She urged that the group strive at all times to collaborate with other health care teams to provide best pharmaceutical care practice and qualitative health care to the good people of Ogun State, saying “Wholesome, genuine and affordable drugs should be made available to the Citizens of the State at all times.”

 

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