Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria: State of Our Society


Posted on: Tue 18-05-2021

Dear Colleagues 

STATE OF OUR SOCIETY

I am glad to bring you update on the steady progress we are making in our profession. 

In case you missed the earlier broadcast, this synopsis will keep you updated. 

The PSN representatives participated in the 42nd PCN Governing Council meeting held Thursday 15th April 2021 and in series of Committee and sub-committee meetings. 

Pressing issues on the emerging role of Pharmacists, especially in the new normal dominated the discussion. Council resolved that:

  • Community Pharmacies should exercise Primary Healthcare roles.
  • Compounding and small-scale manufacturing by Community Pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and Schools of Pharmacy should be approved by NAFDAC, within 10 working days of application.
  • Curriculum expansion to accommodate emerging roles for pharmacist: Logistics/Supply Chain Management, Vaccination etc.
  • Infrastructure and tools upgrading of Pharmacists training institutions to close present gaps.
  • Appointment of accreditation committees to Schools/Colleges/Faculties of Pharmacy and Health Technology.

Council also received report of the Investigative Panel on erring pharmacists. I appeal to you to maintain the high ethics pharmacists are known for, the world over. 

While the PSN maintains her stance on the PCN Chairman's appointment, she will keep up her responsibility of oversight of practice advancement and practitioners’ adequate recognition. 

The eventful week-long program of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy and the Nigeria Guild of Editors tagged “Let’s talk about COVID” was quite expository. The caliber of discussants was formidable. I am hopeful that such collaboration will not only give our profession media visibility but relevance among policy influencers. 

I attended the PANS “Pharmacoposium” at University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State on the 9th of April 2021 with the theme “ADVANCING PHARMACEUTICAL PRACTICE: THE NEED TO EXPLORE INNOVATIVE AND NOVEL TRENDS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”. As the father of the day, I shared with them the five Ps that are principal in living a successful life in any endeavor: PURPOSE, PLAN, PURSUIT, PASSION and PROVIDENCE. I thank the Akwa I’m PSN for their hospitality.

May I use this medium to congratulate all those whose birthday was in April, especially the Chairman Board of Fellows, Prof. Mbang Femi Oyewo, who turned 70. The PSN family wishes her more fruitful years in good health. 

The second edition of the Virtual Town Hall Meeting was very well attended. As we discussed, the consultancy cadre for pharmacists has come to stay and some states have started imple-mentation. My advice is that pharmacists be willing to shift some grounds today for us to win tomorrow.

On internship and central posting, the Federal Government is rethinking and remodeling it. Pharmacy is not alone; it cuts across all professions who do one-year pre-registration onthe-field training. Our eyes are on the ball, to ensure our interns are treated fairly. 

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) cannot be wished away for too long if we want a resilient health care system. Government is struggling under much weight and PPP becomes inevitable. PCN has a robust document on the conditions that must be met. What we will not accept is singling out pharmacy for PPP, but if the government want to run their hospital by PPP, there is little we can do.

In April, we made over six visits to the National Assembly. We are working on all fronts to achieve the passage of the Pharmacy Bill into law to embolden regulation and enforcement. We appreciate our colleagues, distinguished Senators of the FRN, Honourable members of the House of Representatives, and all who have been very helpful in this pursuit.

I want to state in clear terms, that the PSN President is and remains the spokesman of Pharmacists in Nigeria. The ACPN Chairman, Dr. Samuel Adekola should desist from contradicting the NEC and Council of the PSN. Enough of the name-calling. I insist, that like other Technical Group Chairmen, he clears with the President of the PSN on issues bothering our profession before issuing press statements. 

Finally, I commend the synergy between the office of the National Secretary and National Pub-licity Secretary, it is helping us to communicate more and better. Please send us emails on [email protected]  and [email protected].  You can also reach the Secretariat on cell number; 08066503022.

May the Lord continue to keep us safe even in these troubled times. 

God bless you. 

Signed: 

Pharm (Mazi) Sam. Ohuabunwa OFR, FPSN.

State of our Society
State of our Society 


 

State of our Society
State of our Society