The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) will today, by 7pm, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, inaugurates its 20'" President, Aimed I. Yakasai, and
investitures 70 new fellows.
"We are starting at seven prompt and we are intending to spend probably two hours maximum, II will be business like, The Special Guest of Honour is Rt Hoc
Yakubu Dogara. The Chief Host will be the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole. So many other ministers are attending," Yakasai told journalists.
The National Council of the PSN on November 12, 2015, approved 70 Fellows during its 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) inAbuja,
The new Fellows, according to a statement signed by the immediate past. President, Olumide Akintayo, are practitioners in diverse areas including community, industry, hospital and academic pharmacy.
Top on list are Amina Zakarl, Adaeze Omaliko and Gbolade Osibodu.
The list also included Adebayo" Jimoh; Adejumo Moyosore; Ahmed Ibrahim Babashehu; Ajayi Felix Taiwo; Akpa Christiana; Alade Johnson Olatunde; Aliu Rachel Bosede; Areola Akintunde Francis; Aromiwura Yetunde Esther; Alumen Superior; Bakare Joke; Bolaji ·Oladotun Oluseye and Boyle DabaAbbeyba,
Others are: Dasuki Khadir Abba; Doherty Tunji; Ebigbeyi Maureen; Egwu Daniel Uzochukwu; Eimujeze Monica Doo; Esimone Charles; Eze Obiena Patrick; Ezeiru Valentine; Falabi Olugbenga; Fashesin Olalekan; George Olubukunola Adewumi; Hussain Isa Marte; Idris Dingau Pada; Ifebigh Lawrence N; Igbonacho Martin; Igweobi Anietom Chuzi; lIozor Emma; Isherhienrhien Festus; Izunwa Kennedy; Kelly Emeka Nwagha; Lawai Folashade Olufunke; Ligali 'Kudlr at:
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Momodu Rametu Omamegbe; Musa Aliyu; Nasir Mohammed Yinusa; Nnamdi Obi; Nsa Eyo; Nwachukwu Edith Uchenna; Nwanze Vera; obernbe Akintunde; Obono Margaret; Ogieva Grace Ohwovwerha; Okere George; Okocha Jonathan Amadi; Okoll Chuka; Okonkwo Stephen Azubike; Okoye Ebenezer; Okwuosa Victor; Olajiga Peter Oluwasusi; and Olubowale Gbenga Oyewole. Other new PSN fellows include: 01umese Caroline Of ore; Olusetire Johnson Olutayo; Onedo Grant; Onyekweli Anthony; Orumwense Daniel;Osibodu Victor Gbolade; Osinoki A. Olayinka; Osonubi Mojisola; Popoola Olusola; Ringim Habibu Uba; Tafida Jibrin Aliyu; Taiwo Sal11 Olugbeminiyi; Udezae Uwaga Chinyere; and Z
Bashir.
Meet new PSN President Yakasai, a fellow of PSN.
Fellow of Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP), Nigerian Institute of Management. Institute or Logistics Management of Nigeria and Institute of Chartered Institute of" ", Commerce. and two-time "" Commissioner in Kama State.
Yakasi is an accompushed pharmacist/independent consultant with comprehensive background in international marketing. He obtained his first degree in Pharmacy in 1983 from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University.
He also has several postgraduate certificates in different professional fields ranging from general management, leadership skills, entrepreneurship, IT. community rapid assessment. emergency preparedness and response to epidemics/case management, leasing operations and administrations, islamic banking, pUblic-private partnership project management essentials and MSc. international marketing (search and social media marketing), University of Salford, Manchester. United Kingdom (UK)-in view.
Yakasai was born in Yakasai Quarters of Kano Municipality. Kano State in 1960 and has worked variously in both public and private sectors. He was Commissioner twice in Kano State (Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism in 2005 to 2010 and Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning
2010-2011. He worked in four government hospitals before joining private sector in 1987 after which he founded Pharmaplus Nigeria Limited in 1992.
He was 1st Deputy President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (1997-2000) Chairman Pharmaceutical of Society of Nigeria Kano State 1991 Chairman, Nigerian Association of General Practice Pharmacists now Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), 1989 to 91, 1st Vice 1996-2004. Zonal Consultant, National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), among others.
Histroy of PSN
The History of Pharmaceutical associations in Nigeria dates back to 1927 when the pioneer Association of Dispensers was founded. Since then that pioneer associations for Practicing Pharmacists and Pharmacy registered under section 21 of the 1922 Companies Act Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria was closely related to two other early pharmaceutical organisations.
The Association of Dispensers which exsisted form about 1924 to about 1935. The Association of Dispensers was founded in 1927 to cater for the professional services and interests of her members Prominent among the early officers were Dr. K.T.E. Phillips and Mr. N.O.A.Morgan.
The Nigerian' Union of Pharmacists which existed from about 1946 to the early 60s and was formed primary as a trade uniion to cater for the interest of her members who were mainly dispensers, It was registered as a trade union in 1949. It organized a number of successful trade dispute in 1951 1955 and 1960. Among its early officers were G.I. Oviasu, O.I. Akinkugbe and Ekeng. P Obviously, from this, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria was a viable proposition by 1927, Dr. Richard Zachaeus Bailey had a opened the first chemist shop along Balogun Street in Lagos in 1887. According to official records, the first Nigerian Pharmacist, Mr, Emmanuel Caul crick, was registered on the 1st September, 1902. The first female Pharmacist, Mrs. Ore Green, was registered in 1919. The Timi of Ede, who later became a medical doctor qualified as a Dispenser in 1914. Chief Hunponu-Wusu qualified in 1922. Pharmaceutical education started in 1899.
Between 1925 and 1927, a medical college had taken root embracing the schools of pharmacy and medicine under the principalship of Dr.Gordon Taylor, a medical doctor and Mr. Arthur, a Pharmacist. Therefore, by 1927, there arguably existed a sufficient quantity and quality of dispensers or Pharmacists to put together the PSN.
However, for several years, the Society was run more or less like a ne-man business. Annual Conferences were not organized we know them today. Records were haphazardly kept. But 1947, when Mr. T.K.E. Phillip appeared on the scene as the firstt recorded Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria President, and 1971 when Chief A.O Ransome kuti died while serving as PSN President, there had been a marked progression in pharmaceutical' education and advances were made in Pharmaceutical education and advances were made in Professional status. The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Changed structure and management accordingly.
Because the Pharmaceutical Society of' Nigeria came as an offspring of the Association of Dispensers; therefore it could still trace its birth to 1927. This new name PSN was assumed in 1939.
·As you all know, PharmaceuUcal Society of Nigeria is a professional association. It was ,set up to provide good quality pharmaceutical services to cater for the interest and welfare of her members. PSN V(as presented a golden chain of Oftice (worth #30,000) in 1969 by the Welcome Foundation Ltd. London. The chain is for the office of the President of the Society (PSN).
The motto and anthem is "As men of Honour, we join hands". The objective of such a motto is clearly implied. This motto was chosen to encourage or promote amongst members, the spirit of unity and cooperation in all matters of , interest to the pharmacy profession, to enhance the quality of pharmacy practice, and the well being of pharmacists individually and corporateiy. Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria also has an anthem, popularty known as the Pharmacy Anthem. The anthem is a relatively recent development. Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi FPSN, a past president of the Society, composed it in 1977. The anthem is reproduced each year in the brochure of the Annual Conference and should be learnt , by all pharmacists young or old.
PSN's 23 recommendations on how to revamp health sector
Pharmacists under the aegis of PSN have appraised the health sector in Nigeria even as they made twenty-three recommendations on how to improve services in the country.
Yakasai said his vision is to strengthen the society with collaborative, participatory, responsive and transparent leadership.
Yakasai said he plans to establish a Medicines Information Centre in collaboration with United Kingdom (U.K.) Medicines Inf-ormation Service, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and Monitor Health Care. He said this is with the aim of finding ways of helping 10 reduce adverse drug events and medication-related errors, reducing prescription. dosage, and duplicate therapy errors, providing standard terminology and improved data entry , helping improve organizational efficiency, providing access to continually updated, evidenced-based clinical content and enhancing patient safety.
Yakasai said the work on this project has commenced and soon we will invite the media for the official launch ofthis idea.
The PSN President said for Nigeria to be completely densted from the endemic countries the country must sustain the surveillance. and immunization so that by 2017 she can be certified free of polio. Yakasai said this eradication of polio can only be possible if the Federal and State governments continue to meet the financial commitments to sustain the momentum.
Yakasai also called for the review of pharmacy laws and regulation in collaboration with relevant arms of government in tandem with global best practices; and actualization of Pharm. D. programme as a minimum entry requirement for the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria.
The PSN President also called for the creation of online system for professional registration and elearning for the Mandatory Continuing Profession Development (MCPD); establishment of research grants to undertake research. and independent assessment of drug quality, MCPD needs of pharmacists in collaboration with academia; initiation of professional indemnity insurance to pharmacists and strengthen group insurance and at the same time pursue vigorously the welfare of health workers in Nigeria; establishment of Friends of Pharmacy Forum to strengthen bonds with external bodies; bringing about digital innovations to enhance the efficiency of our practice in-line with international standards; and greater engagement with the public through educative and enlightening special promotion campaigns e.g. Diabetes. hypertension.
Yakasai also wants enhancement of the role of PSN by means of wider advocacy at various national and international for a stimulation of public awareness and knowledge on various health. hygiene, sanitation issues and diseases with specific emphasis on drugs; promotion of rational use of drugs with cooperation from medical fraternity; foster better communications with Federal and State Ministries, National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN). National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Schools of Pharmacy, among others; strengthening of ties and relationship with other professional organizations/agencies; establishment of a mechanism for recognizing and endorsing avaluable contributions of members (past, present and future); encouragement and giving more opportunities and build capacities of young pharmacists and students of pharmacy; and strengthening of institutional framework (structure, systems p
and processes)ofPSN.
Yakasai also wants the implementation of National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG); implementation of the National Health Act 2014; and promotion and support Drug Research and Development; creativity in organizing Annual National Conference of PSN to match international standard.
Yakasai said despite these seeming gains healthcare still remains in dire strait on the basis of a holistic appraisal.
He, however, acknowledged that another positive .event in 4015 was the abiUt¥ to curtail and prevent freSh cases-or resurgeoce of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD),
Yakasai regretted that in the earlier part of 2015, the whole of the health sector was plagued in unprecedented strike action as a result of a legion
of welfare issues and alleged violations of Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) as well as agreements with workers in the health sector.
He decried a situation where Nigeria'S first National Health Act was passed into law in 2014, I but nothing serious has happened in terms of operating the basic tenets of the enabling Act. This Act, he said, if implemented will be funded from one percent of Nigeria's consolidated revenue and grants by International donor partners through the National Health Care Development Agency which will manage 45 percent of the fund as follows: essenl@l drugs and vaccines 20 per cent; laboratory equipment transport 15 per cent; and human resot.tree percent Yakasai said while the National Health Insurance Scheme which will manage '50 per cent of the fund will cover pregnant less than five years, the elderly from 65year and physically challenged Persons.
The Federal Ministry of Health will manage five per cent of the fund for the provision of basic minimum package of health facilities (emergencies).
The PSN President, however, said the country's health sector is still battling with poor access to public health interventions. while diseases like Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, among others are still with here. Yakasai advocated that there is a need to review Nigeria'S dependence on donor agencies, hence the government should strongly create enabling environment by way of intervention funds to our local manufacturers to produce Antiretroviral Drugs even vaccines.
As we are akk aware Global Alliance for Vaccines and immunization Initiatives is gradually withdrawning from Nigeria. I must appreciate the Federal Government through the National Health care Development Agency for organizing stakeholders forum on vaccine production to stimulate interest and develop a business plan for local vaccine production in Nigeria,· he said.
Yakassai said as Nigeria march on in 2016, the Federal Government must embrace universal Health Coverage to give teeth to global norms which presume that access to health must be the right of all citizens. "The fastest way to achieving this 'is to embrace primary healthcare, which places a premium on preventive care," he said.
The pharmacist said the Federal Ministry of Health HO must promote a true Public-Private ership (PPP) agenda which is fashioned out on junction with the relevant regulatory and professional bodies with regards to professions.
He said the welfare issues, which have lingered for so long be redressed. Yakasai explained: Adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Scale (COHESS) for health workers like was donewith Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) for medical doctors to ensure parity must be achieved through the 2016 budgets. The clamor for consultancy cadre must be approved for those health workers who have met the condition precedent with regards to due process.
"In 2016 the legal and moral teeth must be given the Health Act as part qf an -agenda to energize health care plans for our people. It is' our hope that the 2016 budget (3.65 per cent) will be fully implemented:
The PSN President called on the incumbent Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole whose body language and comportment epitomizes a radical departure from this status-quo which Is a gross waste of human resources necessitating wretched outputs, to introduce institutional reforms."
Yakasai explained: "The FMoH must then drive the processes, which will compel the active participation of community pharmacists and physicians, environmental health officers, nurses, laboratory scientists and other public health experts at grass root levels. These services must be paid for to incentivize these healthcare workers as it ultimately saves our Nation tones of money spent on curative drugs that we waste scarce resources importing.
"If a gospel of good hygiene and other public health ideals are spread by health professionals in their practice facilities at community levels and we empower Environmental Health Officers to enforce health statutes from 2016, we may begin to reduce our disease burden by over 50 per cent in Nigeria."
ABUJA: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
PORTHARCOURT: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
LAGOS: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
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