The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has expressed its commitment to production of safe and effective medicines for Nigerians consumption.
The association however, charged pharmacists and consumers to always preserve drugs in a place that has required temperature so as to ensure safety and prevent drugs from been contaminated before use.
Bakau Oyinloye Alli, the chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara State chapter who stated this on Wednesday while briefing Journalists in Ilorin on their lined up activities to commemorate with other countries in celebrating the 2019 World Pharmacy Day, affirmed that pharmacists are ready to partner with federal and state governments to ensure a healthy nation.
Alli, enjoins people to refrain from self medication and stop accessing drugs from hawkers or open market in order to avoid the use of spoilt or expired drugs.
He says this year’s theme, “Safe and Effective Medicine For All” is apt, posited that pharmacists are friends of people and their core mandate is to provide drugs that will cure and manage people’s health challenges.
Alli equally warned people to look for RX sign for drugs authenticity and desist from taking drugs consuming drugs that worked for another person, rather, they should consult medical practitioner for proper examination and appropriate prescription.
He says: “for you to have your medicine safe and effective; you need to store them at a required temperature. Some products are to be stored in refrigerator not in freezer.
“As pharmacists, we are committed to produce safe and effective medicine for Nigeria populace and Kwarans.”
In his submission, Abu-Saheed Jamaldeen, the deputy chairman of PSN appealed to the government to discourage importation and encourage extortion of drugs, saying if government strengthen pharmaceutical industries in the country, there would be more money in circulation and economy will grow.
“We have about 200 pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria, but that is not enough, presently; Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group (PMG), are trying to get government on board to access N300 billion pharmacist loan
“The ratio of drugs consumed in Nigeria is 40 percent locally produced which is not good for a nation and it needed to be curtailed.
“PMG is working towards ensuring 75 percent drugs produced locally. If government van comes to the aid of pharmaceutical companies, it will upgrade and surely they will make more money and our economy will improve.”
Also speaking, Barakat Olarewaju, the director of Pharmaceutical Services, Kwara Ministry of Health, explained that the PSN, NAFDAC, NDLEA and other relevant agencies are collaborating and working hand in hand to curb the menace of drug abuse.
She revealed that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has been supporting them in terms of fund.
SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin
