Posted on: Mon 05-06-2023

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) extends warm congratulations to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his inauguration as the 16th President of Nigeria. We acknowledge the magnitude of the challenges faced during the election process and commend you for emerging victorious. As an esteemed professional group in the healthcare sector, we believe in your ability to lead Nigeria towards a brighter future.  

During our annual national conference that concluded on November 5, 2022, the PSN formally endorsed a 9-point charter of demand,which was communicated to the then candidates Bola Tinubu.  

The core areas of our request encompass the following:

1. The democratization and / or professionalization of headship of the Federal Ministry (FMOH) and the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the Health sector

2. Significntly improving the welfare, working conditions and environment of public sector Pharmacists, ensuring their well-bing and enabling them to contribute effectly to the nation's healthcare system  

3 Establishment of a Bank Health to facilitate financing and sustainable investment in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.  

4. Effective implementation of the National Health Insurance Act 2022, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians and Universal Health Coverage

5. Encouragement and support for local manufacturing of drugs, excipients, packaging materials, and related matters, fostering self - sufficiency and assuring medicines security.  

6. Adequate funding of the healthcare system, enabling the provision of quality healthcare services and infrastructure development. We ask an immediate intervention fund of at least N200b, and minimum budgetary allocated of 20% per annum for the next 5 years  

7. Proper implementation of the National Health Act 2024, ensuring its full potentials is realized for the benefit of all Nigerians. 

8. Gradual importation substitution, promoting local production and reducing reliance on imported healthcare products.

9. Addressing the issues impeding the natural development of pharmacy, patient access to quality medicine and pharmaceutical care, NAFDAC should be more of quality monitoring with adequate facilities than a fund generating agency, all of which consequently hinder the overall progress of the health sector in Nigeria.  

At the Presidential Campaign Council Consultative meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party with health professionals at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) centre, Abuja last year we posited that apart from funding, the lopsidedness of the leadership of the healthcare sector stifles growth and accounted for 55% of the issues in the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care.  

We respectfully push for the consideration of the key issues we identified, understanding the significance they hold for the advancement of the healthcare sector. We humbly appeal to your tenets of justice, fairness and inclusion to give quick consideration to these issues as the new administration settles down under your watch.  

As you assume office, we again join the nation in congratulating Your Excellency and express our optimism for a prosperous and healthy Nigeria under your leadership. Together, let us forge ahead towards a future where healthcare is accessible, efficient, and equitable for all.  

Long live PSN!

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Yours faithfully,

Pharm. (Prof.) Cyril Usifoh FPSN

Pharm. (Prince) 'Gbenga Falabi FPSN

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