Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria PSN says its war on drugs and substance abuse in Rivers State is yielding positive results.
The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria PSN in Rivers State, Chima Ogbu, said this during a press briefing to mark the 2019 World Pharmacist Day in Port Harcourt.
Chima Ogbu said the sale of drugs in the open market is one of the leading factors that cause drug and substance abuse in the country.
He also said that the sale of drugs in the open drug market is affecting drug potency in Nigeria.
Ogbu pointed out that most drugs get expired even before the official expiry date due to poor handling of the drugs.
The PSN Chairman noted that drug dispensation and storage should be left in the hands of Pharmacists who are the custodians of drugs across the globe.
He added that Pharmacists will continue to ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs in medical facilities across the country.
“As the most accessible health care professionals, Pharmacists in Rivers State like their colleagues all over the world, are fully committed to the realization of the 3rd Goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promotion of well being for all at all ages and places in the world.
“Distinguished colleagues, Rivers Pharmacists will continue to ensure the availability of safe and effective medicines in the state at the communities, hospitals and all health facilities in line with our professional training, code of ethics, PCN laws and regulations as well as the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The importance of Pharmacists in the health care delivery system was captured in the address of a former American President, John.F.Kennedy, at a keynote launch of the PRESCRIPTION LEGEND in 1962, when he said and I quote: ‘The Pharmacist is an indispensable link in the chain of national health protection, if we do not have the pharmacist, it would be necessary to invent one.
“As we celebrate the World Pharmacists Day today, and with all sense of responsibility, I call upon the government and relevant stakeholders in the health care delivery system in the state to support the Pharmacy profession and Pharmacists to deliver on their very important mandate for the good and progress of the state and our cherished Rivers people” he said.
The Chairman of PSN also commended all the technical groups of PSN- the Association of Community Pharmacists, ACPN, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria, AHAPN, Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia, NAPA, Association of Lady Pharmacists and the PSN Young Pharmacists Group for their elaborate activities lined up to educate, inform and care for the populace especially the free health outreach components.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of 2019 World Pharmacists Day is ‘Safe and Effective Medicines for all’.
