Posted on: Sun 02-05-2021

On behalf of the management and staff of the PCN, I welcome you all to the month of May. As we all celebrate Workers day today, I pray that we will all live long in good health to enjoy the fruits of our labour.

 

The registration/annual renewal of Pharmacists and premises licences is ongoing. While I congratulate Pharmacists who have successfully completed their annual registration, I implore all Pharmacists who are yet to do so to comply without further delay as PCN has already commenced enforcement for the year.

 

In the month of April 2021, 48 fresh Pharmacy Graduates were inducted into the noble profession of Pharmacy. This comprises of 32 (supplementary) from University of Lagos, Lagos State, and 16 from Kaduna State University, Kaduna State. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming the graduands into our noble profession.

 

Furthermore, the first cycle of the Foreign Pharmacists Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP) has commenced at Bayero University, Kano and University of Benin, Benin City. The programme is scheduled from April 26 – June 6, 2021 respectively.

 

Let me seize this opportunity to address the issue of the Pharm D programme. As you are all aware, the Pharm D programme is an approved undergraduate National degree by the National Universities Commission (NUC). As at today, 11 Universities have been approved to run the programme while a number of other Universities are at concluding stages of resource verification by NUC prior to approval. On the issue of the conversion of B Pharm to Pharm D, the Council is currently engaging the NUC and I can confidently assure you that there is no cause for alarm especially for those who have successfully completed the conversion programme. Once the ongoing engagement is concluded, an update will be shared with all concerned.

 

In continuation of PCN’s effort to ensure that Nigerians assess quality and effective drugs from appropriately inspected, registered and licenced pharmaceutical premises or ppmv shops, the National Enforcement Team of the PCN visited Sokoto State in the month of April, 2021. In the process, 299 illegal drugs outlets were sealed, comprising of 37 Pharmacies and 262 Patent Medicine Shops, while 6 were issued compliance directives.

 

The ongoing activities of honouring the past Chairmen and Registrars of PBN and/or PCN as the case may be continued in April, 2021.  In this regard, two Committee Rooms and a Round Hut at the  PCN Head Office/Registry were named after Pharm Albert Brown, Pharm (Ms) Hannatu D. Kayit and Late Pharm Abdulazeez S. Rafindadi accordingly on April 15th  2021 whilst the Hall in the PCN North Central Zonal Office, Minna was named after Prof. Elijah N. Sokomba(past Chairman of the PCN) on April 23rd, 2021. These are all in line with the approval of the 41st Governing Council meeting of PCN.

 

The PCN Governing Council held the 42nd Regular Meeting on April 15, 2021. Far reaching decisions were taken during the meeting. The PCN Registry would follow through on the implementation of the decisions taken by the Governing Council.

 

In a view to strengthen collaboration with relevant MDAs, the Registrar paid a Courtesy Visit to the new Commandant-General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni on April 01, 2021. The Registrar used the opportunity to congratulate the new CG and appreciated the NSCDC for the collaboration enjoyed so far by the PCN from the various commands of the Corps at the States over the years. The Registrar further solicited for sustained security cover for the operational activities of the enforcement team. The CG reassured the Registrar of continued cooperation, collaboration and enhanced support to PCN towards achievement of successful enforcement activities and the systematic eradication of illegal drug outlets across the country.

 

Also, in a quest to facilitate provision of quality service delivery by the Registry, PCN is collaborating with the PQM+ USP to achieve ISO 9001, 2015 certification. In this regard, a baseline audit assessment of the Registry’s Quality Management Systems was conducted by the PQM+ on April 19- 21, 2021. The objective of the assessment is to strengthen the processes and procedures of Registry activities towards the certification.

 

The management and staff of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria congratulate our Chairman, PCN Governing Council, Prof. Ahmed Tijjani Mora, mni, on his recent turbaning as the Kayayen Sarkin Musulmi by His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, on April 4, 2021. We pray that God grant the Chairman long life as we also wish him the very best.

 

I want to use this opportunity to wish our Muslim colleagues a spiritually rewarding Ramadan Fast. May God grant you the strength to complete the Ramadan successfully. Ramadan Mubarak to you all!

 

Finally, I hereby appreciate all Pharmacists for their hardwork, professionalism and concerted efforts made towards making the pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria a better place. Keep up the good work and God bless.

 

 

 

Pharm. N. A. E. Mohammed, Ph.D, FPSN, FNIM, FPCPharm, FNAPharm

 

Registrar

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