The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara State Branch, has urged the Nigerian Government to strengthen the regulation and distribution of medicines across the country to protect Nigerians from drug abuse, irrational drug use and substandard medicines.
The newly elected Chairman of the PSN in the state, Munirat Kikelomo Bello, made the call during an interview in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital, where she outlined her priorities and spoke on challenges confronting pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.
Bello, who is the first female pharmacist to lead the PSN in Kwara State, described the country’s drug distribution system as a major concern requiring urgent attention.
She said existing national guidelines on drug distribution needed to be effectively implemented to ensure that medicines reached Nigerians through regulated channels.
“We have a very serious, chaotic drug distribution in Nigeria. In fact, I will call it a national emergency,” she said.
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According to her, the availability of medicines through unlicensed outlets exposes Nigerians to risks associated with inappropriate medication, drug abuse and unsafe treatment.
She said her administration would collaborate with relevant government agencies, including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to promote effective regulation of the pharmaceutical sector.
Tackle Drug Abuse
The PSN chairman also called for stronger collaboration between professional and enforcement agencies in tackling drug abuse.
She specifically advocated closer cooperation between the PSN and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), saying a joint approach could help address both the supply and misuse of drugs.
“We are looking to strengthen our collaboration to provide access to the recovery team. We need to tackle it from the root, and that is where the drug distribution guidelines come in,” she said.
Bello also urged Nigerians to obtain medicines from licensed pharmacies rather than open markets and unlicensed drug sellers.
She said pharmacists had an important role in ensuring that medicines were used appropriately and safely, adding that public education would form part of her administration’s activities.
She disclosed that the PSN would increase its media engagements to educate Nigerians on medication safety, rational drug use and the dangers of drug abuse.
The pharmacist further called for improved collaboration between pharmacists and medical doctors, saying unnecessary professional rivalry should not be allowed to affect patient care.
“The objective of everyone in the healthcare sector is the patient,” she said, stressing that healthcare professionals should respect their respective roles and responsibilities.
According to her, doctors should focus on diagnosis while pharmacists play their professional role in reviewing prescriptions, dispensing medicines and counselling patients on their appropriate use.
Collective Effort
Bello also linked the fight against drug abuse to broader social and economic challenges, saying government, families, schools, religious institutions and other stakeholders all had roles to play in addressing the problem.
She said sustained public awareness, effective regulation and stronger enforcement were necessary to reduce the misuse of medicines and other drugs.
On the welfare of pharmacists, the PSN chairman said she would prioritise the professional well-being of members across hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical industries, academia and medicine distribution.
She said creating an enabling environment for pharmacists would ultimately contribute to better healthcare delivery to Nigerians.
“Every pharmacist is well supported in terms of their welfare so that they can excel in delivering their best in their place of work. By extension, that will now translate to better healthcare for the people,” she said.
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