Remarks by the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Ahmed I Yakasai, FPSN, FNAPharm, FNIM on the occasion of a courtsey visit to the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof Mike Ogirima on Monday 25th July 2016

 

PROTOCOLS

It is my pleasure and honour to lead this delegation of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to your office. On behalf of my colleagues, I bring warm greetings and wish to once again congratulate the brand new President and your National Executive Committee members. I thank you immensely for your prompt response to our request to visit you and indeed the warm reception.

 

Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria was founded in 1927 and registered under section 21 of the 1922 Companies and Allied Act. It is an umbrella body of all the registered pharmacists in Nigeria and has technical and interest groups that include Nigerian Association of Industrial Pharmacists, Nigerian Association of Pharmacists in the Academia, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria and Association of Lady Pharmacists with a vision to be recognized as a society whose members are accessible healthcare professionals responsible for the provision and rational use of safe, effective and affordable medicines, pharmaceutical care and the promotion of public health and quality of life.

 

It has been proven that pharmacists are a bunch of highly meticulous and futuristic professionals who are ceaselessly committed to excellence in discharge of their roles which have evolved over decades.

 

This visit is symbolic and unique that affords us an opportunity to interact with you and extend our hands of fellowship believing that if we can come together, it will be a stimulus in achieving unity for the good of the patients and the public. It’s a step in the direction of walking the talk of my vision as PRESIDENT of PSN. This is meant to promote an atmosphere of trust that will lead to stronger relationships among healthcare professionals in Nigeria. We as leaders of the health care team; we must be seen building bridges between all the health professionals towards effective healthcare delivery benefits to the public.

 

We really appreciate the message of goodwill during my inauguration from the immediate past President of NMA, Dr Kayode Obembe who says that “The NMA on her part will do everything humanly possible to give a helping hand to PSN to enhance effective health care delivery system in the country. Together we can move the health sector forward”

 

 

Again he says that “As partners in progress we know that PSN is facing numerous problems such as disparity in the recognition of the Directorate Cadre across various Ministries, the Pharm. D issues, lack of adequate facilities at other levels in terms of Pharmaceutical Inspection committee, Patent Propriety Vendors, Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs, mirage of quackery cases, importation of sub-standard drugs/pharmaceutical products and the states rehabilitation centres where Pharmacists and Medical Doctors had formed a strong synergy”

 

No doubt PSN is a strong ally of NMA from time immemorial as

evident by the participation of PSN and NMA at the 10thAnnual Scientific Conference and Exposition jointly organized by Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas and Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas in Las Vegas recently.

 

Again, arising from the global partnerships and alliances between the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), World Medical Association (WMA), International Council of Nurses (ICN) etc in Geneva, then it is safe to say that replicating same in Nigeria is possible. However, I appreciate the effort of the Hon. Minister, Prof. Isaac. F Adewole for organizing the stakeholders’ meeting of all healthcare professionals to resolve issues within the Health Sector in Nigeria which was held on 19th July 2016 at the state House Auditorium Aso Rock Villa, Abuja but there is a need for a follow up which should be organized by the Associations and PSN is ready to lead in organizing the convention of Congress of Nigerian Healthcare Professionals.

 

We need to remember that we all took oaths to uphold the ethics of our professions and put the patient FIRST. As leaders, I strongly urge us and advocate that we take courageous steps to put in place a new VISION for the health sector that is devoid of these conflicts. Indeed, the journey of a 1000miles begins with a step which I believe is the step we have taken today. At the end history will be kind to PSN and NMA for agreeing to this bold but necessary initiative.

 

To this end, I wish to recommend that we promote effective engagement among our members. By extension we need to mentor our colleagues on the need and benefit of harmony. The professional associations must exemplify these in their activities. There should be mutual respect among our members. These must be promoted in our various places of work and in our activities as professional associations. Let us promote a system where the role each professional is duly recognized and is given to it. We must strongly advocate that we should not constitute sabotage to ourselves as it relates to welfare and well being of our members as it used to be before 1985. Let us promote ethical research and ensure independence and ethical conduct. All theses would promote ethical interaction.

 

I believe that all these issues highlighted would lay a foundation for a stronger health system in Nigeria.

 

Lastly, we wish to convey our appreciation for your hospitality and I humbly invite you to our 89th Annual National Conference on the 8th of November, 2016 in Minna, Niger State and you are expected to give a goodwill message.

 

Long live PSN

Long live NMA

Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria

 

Thank you.

 

PHARM. AHMED I. YAKASAI, FPSN, FNAPharm, FNIM

PRESIDENT, PSN