Posted on: Mon 08-11-2021

Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has canvassed the use of traditional medicine to facilitate drug security, supply chain production, and increase in revenue generation. The association made the recommendation in a nine-point communiqué issued at the end of its 94th Annual National Conference held at the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference focused on the theme, COVID-19 Lessons: Broadening and Strengthening the Nigerian Pharmaceutical and Health Sector.

The communiqué, signed by PSN President, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, and the National Secretary, Olugbenga Falabi, explained that complementary medicines should be developed for healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

It advised that integration of traditional, complementary and alternative medicines into the healthcare delivery system would provide opportunity for patients to access alternative healthcare services and facilitate attainment of universal health coverage.

The conference, according to the communiqué, also agreed that pharmacists have ample opportunities to advance public health through immunisation advocacy.

The communiqué reads: “Conference agreed that it was necessary to establish, encourage and strengthen relationship between pharmacists and other healthcare providers. Pharmacists must work to enhance procurement policy to improve availability of rare drugs such as anti-cancer drugs.

“There is need for increased specialisation in specific specialties, where every pharmacist practising within the clinical setting must choose a minimum of one area to build capacity on. Pharmacist should ensure continued education, continued learning, specialisation, and research collaborations.”

The communiqué added that delegates were charged to strengthen pharma practice through political action by maintaining high standard of professional ethics in all spheres of pharmacy practice.

The conference elected new officers into the National Executive Council (NEC) of PSN. The following officers were returned elected: Prof. Cyril Odianose Usifo, President; Binji Haliyu Ibrahim, Deputy President North; Udeorah Egbuna, Deputy President South; Olugbenga Falabi, National Secretary; Dr. Murtala Isa Umar, National Financial Secretary; Martins Oyewole, Internal Auditor; Ikenna Mbata Chibueze, Assistant National Secretary; Dr. Margaret Ilomuanya, Editor in Chief; Felix Ndiukwu, National Publicity Secretary; Obianuju Onwuatuegwu, Unofficial Member, Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Amibor, Unofficial Member; and Sam I. Ohuabunwa, Immediate Past President (IPP).

Prof. Usifoh is of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. He was the Editor-In-Chief, Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy and presently the Chairman of the Editorial Board. He has served and still serving in various capacities as active member and/or chairman in various committees and sub committees in the University of Benin and the local community. Former Chairman, Edo State Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Former Member, Governing Council, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).

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