The Federal Government has set up two committees to tackle the scourge of drug abuse especially among youths.
The committees, according to the Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, include a presidential Advisory Committee and Ministerial Committee on drug abuse.
He spoke in Ibadan, Oyo state capital yesterday during the 91st annual conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) with the theme, ““Innovative Disruption in Pharmacy in Emerging Economies: A Roadmap For Nigeria”.
Adewole said the government was worried by the issue of drug abuse and it is determined to frontally address the menace.
Represented by the Director, Food and Pharmaceutical Services, Moshood Lawal, the Minister expressed delight that the PSN had taken up the battle against drug abuse and assured the Federal Government would collaborate with the society to stem the tide.
He disclosed that the committees would soon be inaugurated and would immediately swing into action.
The minister, who noted that the PSN has a great role to play in stemming the tide of drug abuse, said the government would continue to support the society. According to him, the pharmaceutical sector revolves around the lives of every Nigerian and the government has to be concerned about development in the industry.
Speaking further, the Minister assured that the stakeholders will, in few years’ time, come up with a single regulatory body for registering and monitoring of drugs in circulation within Africa.
He commended the out-going President of PSN for his continuous engagement with the Federal Government on issues affecting the healthcare system in the country.
PSN President, Ahmed Yakasai recalled that in March 2018, he inaugurated the PSN Narcotics and Drug Abuse committee to study the trends and challenges and indeed review the current situation of drug abuse in Nigeria.
This he said was followed up with workshop for journalists on drug abuse, adding, “The core concept of primary prevention of drug abuse is paramount as journalists are vital in disseminating accurate information”.
He said the PSN is not afraid of disruptive technology as the society has come up with different innovations in technology like the PSNPay which is an online platform to digitalize our payment of capitation.
“We also launched Pharma Info-Tech NDDG Platform to boost drug distribution and safety in the country. The PSN vision 2050 was also launched to develop a roadmap to guide our journey from where we are to where we are going to”.
Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi represented by the Deputy Governor, Moses Adeyemo tasked the pharmacists to address the issue of fake and adulterated drugs and the use of psychoactive medications.
“These are the stark realities of the present time which posed a lot of challenges to the future of healthcare provision in Nigeria”, he said.
He said the state is not only health focused but pharmaceutical friendly. Ajimobi disclosed that the Oyo state government continues to celebrate pharmacists and pharmaceutical profession in Nigeria with its 220 registered pharma premises, over 800 registered patent medicine stores with over 300 practising pharmacists in various health
In her key note address, President Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Pharm. Clare Omatseye said one of the challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector is the sub-standard medicine in circulation.
She said through the collaborate efforts of the Federal Government and the society in tackling the menace, the nation can achieve great results in due course.
She challenged pharmacists to be innovative in addressing the myriads of inefficiency in the drug distribution system.
“We need to disrupt the status quo. Pharmacists and doctors must be united because they have one common goal. In doing that, it will not be business as usual, we need to disrupt, we need to look at strategic collaboration”, Omatseye added.
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Tony Isama said the National Assembly recognizes the fact that medicine is an important national security issue and advised all stakeholders in the health sector to work together.
Former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau advised the pharmacists to always think about the wellbeing of their patients first and foremost.
“Their profession is a very Godly one because anything that has to do with the survival of human beings is a very Godly thing and my main concern is the health and wellbeing of humanity. I therefore call on every pharmacist to appreciate this. It is not about making money, they should remember that through their training God has bestowed on them the wellbeing and welfare of humanity”.
By: Abdullateef Aliyu and Jeremiah Oke, Ibadan
Daily Trust News
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