The collaboration between Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and Howard University Global Initiative in Nigeria (HUGIN) Project on Implementation of Sustainable Financing Initiative (SFI) is increasingly recording huge success.  For the records, the implementation of SFI is leveraging on the role of Community Pharmacists to provide Anti-retroviral refill services for the HIV/AID patients who have been stabilised on Anti-retroviral therapy. Based on the increasing success recorded in Lagos and Rivers States where the project was piloted, an expansion has been approved by the Donor (PEPFAR) to 4 States, including Cross River and Akwa Ibom where kick off meetings were held in January 19  23, 2018.

 

The Special Pharm D Conversion Programme for University Lecturers and Pre-ceptors in Faculties of Pharmacy in Nigerian Universities will be commencing on February 05, 2018.

 

The Annual Registration of Pharmacists and premises is currently ongoing and I would admonish all colleagues to promptly conclude the registration process. The dynamic Registration and Licencing team of PCN would be on hand to help resolve any issues that may arise. Please make use of the live chat for assistance in any registration hitch.

 

Pursuant to the high level strategic meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicines Dealers (NAPPMED) held in December 2017, the Kaduna State Chapter of NAPPMED has approached the PCN in penitence and have agreed to submit themselves fully to the regulatory control of the Council. They have also withdrawn all instituted legal cases against the PCN.

 

In a bid to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, the management of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria met with the management of NAFDAC under the able leadership of Prof. Moji Adeyeye. The meeting was very successful and constructive. Positive outcomes of the strategic engagement are already being felt by stakeholders.  A Committee comprising management staff of the two (2) regulatory bodies has been put in place to promote inter-phase and harmonious working relationship.

 

In the month of January, the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, FAS, DSC (Hons) formally inaugurated the Codeine Control and Other Related Matters Working Group. This group is led by Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan. The group has 6 weeks to develop an action plan for review by the Honourable Minister.

 

Similarly, the Honourable Minister led a team comprising officials from FMOH, PCN Registrar and NAFDAC, DG on advocacy visit to Abia State on the implementation of NDDG.  During the visit, the Honourable Minister of Health met with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Chairman in Council, Traditional Council of Abia State/Chairman, South East Council of Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Ariaria Drug Market.  The HMH eventually performed the ground breaking ceremony for the building of CWC in Abia State.

 

I would like to thank those who have made very useful reports on the newly launched malpractice platform, www.pcn.gov.ng/pcnmonitor. Action is being taken on the reports submitted so far. I would like to implore all colleagues to join in the community policing effort as I believe that together we can join hands to build the practice environment of our dream.

 

In this year 2018, you can be rest assured that my doors remain open to all for your suggestions, advice and constructive criticisms. Please feel free to contact me by sending an email to [email protected], [email protected] and copy [email protected]. 

 

Yours in Service

 

Elijah Mohammed, FPSN, FNAPHARM, FNIM