Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, has called on Nigerians to always seek professional advice from Pharmacists before consuming any drug.
The Chairman of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, in Rivers State, AGBOMA ESOM-IBE said this during a community health outreach in Rumuelumeni in Obio/Akpor local government area on Wednesday 25th September 2019 to mark the 2019 World Pharmacists Day.
AGBOMA ESOM-IBE also attributed the high level of insecurity in society to the scourge of drug and substance abuse in the country.
She also said that the free community health outreach was part of their Social Corporate Responsibility to their host communities.
She noted that the Association of Community Pharmacists will continue to create awareness of different health topics to update their host communities on ways to prevent certain ailments and terminal diseases.
“We’ve looked at the society and have seen the incidence of drug and substance abuse is so huge and it’s so hydra-headed and it’s not going away. Not just in Nigeria, but we focused on where we are, we are in Rivers State. The level of insecurity is on the increase and its courtesy of drug and substance abuse. A lot of these people who commit crime need some drugs to give them the boost before they engage in crime and criminality.
“So we feel it’s our social responsibility to the community we serve to bring this news to them, enlighten them. If they are enlightened, an enlightened patient is a plus to every pharmacist because your job is a lot easier. The patient knows what not to do and then every ailment that is preventable you don’t have to treat because this person won’t come to this ailment because he knows what not to do and what to do” she said.
Also speaking, former Chairman of Association of Community Pharmacists in Rivers State, Donatus Ijezie, said they are using the awareness to inform the people of Rumuelumeni on the dangers of buying drugs in the open market.
He said that Pharmacists are they to give proper advice on drug information and how to consume them.
Some of the beneficiaries of the community health outreach in Rumuelumeni commended the Pharmacists for the gesture.
