EXPERTS, under the aegis of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), have said that safe medicines can only be guaranteed if Nigerians patronise registered pharmacists across the federation.

 

Managing Director of Pharmaplus Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Ahmed Yakasai, who said this during the 32nd annual national conference of ACPN and unveiling of the association’s logo in Calabar, Cross River State, recently, said that experts are always available at registered pharmacy shops to store, provide safe medicines and pharmaceutical care to Nigerians.

 

Yakasi said that Nigerians have a right to safe, qualitative and efficacious medicines, adding that access to safe medicines is part of human right.

 

The pharmacist said “in order to ensure the availability of good quality and drugs in the health care delivery system, the Federal Government should develop national guidelines on drug distribution”, adding that the use of ineffective and unsafe medicines could result into resistant diseases and death.

 

“ Safe medicines to Nigerians can only be guaranteed if pharmacists are available to provide the pharmaceutical care, while community practice must be ethical and should fall within the ambit of the law,” he said.

 

PCN acting Registrar, Mrs. Gloria Abumere, explained that the importance   of community pharmacists couldn’t be overemphasised because of the pivotal role they play in healthcare delivery services.

 

ACPN National Chairman, Mr. Adebayo Ismail, noted that it is the responsibility of the community pharmacists to provide safe medicines to Nigerians.