Expert appeals to Nigerian government on drug distribution

The former Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Dr Elijah Mohammed, has appealed to the federal and state governments to demonstrate a strong political stand on drug distribution in the country.

Mohammed made the appeal on Friday in Lagos, while reacting to GlaxoSmithKline Plc exit from Nigeria after 51 years of operation.

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GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease.

Its Research and Development focus on four therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respiratory/immunology and oncology.

Mohammed noted that the current open drug distribution operated in the country was chaotic, leading to proliferation of counterfeit medicines, treatment failures, increased morbidity and mortality among citizens.

“A system that’s not regulated will have all sorts of nefarious activities that’s frustrating to genuine players which might make them exit,” he said.

To address the challenges of the open drug market, Mohammed said that the Federal Government established the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), through its agency, PCN.

Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) seeks to provide an opportunity for owners of medicine shops in the open drug markets.

This is to relocate and operate in a regulated environment to ensure the quality of medicines is maintained throughout the distribution chain.

“The Kano State Government has demonstrated strong political will as it has created the first phase of the Coordinated Wholesale Centre.

“Lagos and other states have shown no political will, everyone is waiting for the federal government.

“The federal government has tried through its agencies, PCN and NAFDAC to address the situation.

“State governments should also give backing to the initiative just like the Kano government did,” he said.

Mohammed noted that drug distribution requires efficient supply chain systems and appropriate regulation to ensure that medicines reach the consumer in their intended qualitative state.

He urged the government to take a stance on parallel importation of medicines, noting that parallel trade that includes pharmaceuticals was risky and could be fatal to patients.