The National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Pharm Ahmed I Yakasai FPSN, FNAPharm, FNIM has called on the the Federal Government and the other 35 states of the Federation (ONLY Niger State has recognised this status) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately activate the Consultancy Pharmacist philosophy in the public health interest 

 

The PSN President made this call during a pre-conference press briefing.

 

Below is the text of the PSN President's address

 

PRE-CONFERENCE BY THE PRESIDENT OF PSN, PHARM. AHMED I. YAKASAI, FPSN, FNAPharm, FNIM, ON THE 89TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE PSN HELD AT PHARMACY HOUSE, , LAGOS ON WED. OCT. 26, 2016

PREAMBLE

 

It is my pleasure and honour to welcome you to this annual pre-conference briefing of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria which also officially kick-starts endeavours relating to our forthcoming National Conference. As usual this will afford us an opportunity to comment on some topical and contemporary matters in the Pharmaceutical Sector specifically and health industry generally.

 

For an impactful session, this address will focus on:

(1)    The 89th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Minna, Niger State from 7th-12th Nov, 2016

(2)    Appointments into regulatory agencies and parastatals in the pharmaceutical sector

(3)    The role of Consultant Pharmacists in the Nigerian Health System

 

(1)    THE 89TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IN MINNA, NIGER STATE FROM 7TH-12TH NOV, 2016.

The Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria is the biggest event in our calendar. It is always an opportunity to showcase the organizational capacity of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria widely perceived as one of the best organised professional bodies in Nigeria.

 

This conference has as its theme “Pharmaceutical Industry Contributions to National Development” with the following Sub-themes:- 1.Reducing the Global Burden of Disease: The Pharmacist’s perspective

 

2. Primary Healthcare and Pharmacy Services

 

3. Harnessing the Public Health Potentials of Community Pharmacists for National Development.

 

4. Research, Education and Mentoring of Pharmacists for expanding Roles in Public Health.

 

5. Pharmaceutical Care in Trauma Management.

 

The Vice President His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, SAN is expected to declare it open as a Special Guest of Honour, while the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello is the Chief Host, the Former Deputy Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto is the Chairman of the occasion, the Executive Governor of Kano State His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR and the Honourable Minister for Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, FAS will be Guests of Honour. The Keynote Address Speaker is Pharm. Olu Akanmu, FNAPharm, the Senior Vice President (Retail Banking), First City Monument Bank Plc while HRH Etsu Nupe, Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar , CFR is the Royal Father of the Day.

 

Our nation needs to develop an efficient manpower base in the quest for self sufficiency and economic growth. No doubt that the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has been a strong advocate of value added services that Pharmacists and Pharmacy bring to healthcare and national development.

 

This unique conference will therefore exploit avenues for this much sought after maxims as it concerns the Pharmaceutical Sector of the economy.

 

It is a peculiar gathering of over 3000 pharmacists and other scientists nationwide as well as the diaspora and the conference will attract over hundred (100) pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers and other potential investors, so you can only expect a new positive force to emerge pharmaceutically speaking after November. 12, 2016.

 

Our traditional programme including MCPDs, Scientific Poster Sessions, Panel Discussions, Seminars, Town Hall meeting, AGM, Excursions Social Nite and Banquet will feature with improved output.

 

A historical dimension to this year’s conference will be the decoration of the 1st set of Honourary members of the PSN – These distinguished honourary members include: Mr. Femi Soremekun, Managing Director/CEO, Biofem Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr. Fidelis Ayebae, Managing Director/CEO, Fidson Healthcare Plc and Dr. Anthony Chukwuka Obiora, Chairman, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Also the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Distinguished Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of Abia North Senatorial District will be decorated with the Awards of Friend of Pharmacy.

 

Gentlemen of the press, we shall also continue to promote our relationship with the distinguished 4th Estate of the realm through the Ben Ukwuoma Memorial Award instituted last year. The recipient of the award this year is Mr. Chukwuma Muanya from the Guardian stable.  

 

(2)    APPOINTMENTS INTO REGULATORY AGENCIES AND PARASTATALS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR

We reckon that it is the prerogative of the Federal Government to carry out appointments at Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), NAFDAC, and NIPRD which are major agencies in the Pharmaceutical Sector. Our concern is predicated in public interest especially in the value such appointments can bring to bear on public health endeavours.

 

Our first priority is to ensure lawful appointments on all pharmaceutical platforms because we certainly do not envisage or pray for the disruption in equilibrium we experienced at Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) when representatives of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) was compromised due to a distasteful manipulation by an interested party in 2009.

 

We once had the same scenario at NAFDAC which degenerated to a court action in another dispensation.

 

To avoid an unpalatable discourse the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has since recommended its representatives to the Honourable Minister for Health as provided for in Section 3 (1) F of the PCN Act. We hasten to remind the Federal Government that Section 1 of the PCN Act provides for perpetual succession which ordinarily should exclude the PCN from recurrent dissolution alongside other boards of parastatals. Today disciplinary procedures, accreditation of Faculties of Pharmacy for training pharmacists, Schools of Technology for training Pharmacy Technicians and other support personnel in the Pharmacy Work Force are stalled. Review and approval of statutory fees crucial to the operations of PCN continue to suffer the same fate. It is therefore imperative that Government appoints a Chairman for the PCN as most of the other slots are statute bound by virtue of the law. The Federal Government is also familiar more than ever before with the condition precedent to appoint substantive DGs/CEOs for NAFDAC. a NAFDAC is yet another strategic agency in the workings of the health sector in view of the need to continue to ensure a safety mandate in the quality of medicines and foods offered for sale in Nigeria. Government must appreciate that the management of NAFDAC led by a substantive Director General/Chief Executive Officer and the full Governing Council led by a seasoned Chairman will play complimentary roles to consolidate some modest gains in the overall value chain the NAFDAC output epitomizes.

 

We shall continue to believe that an administration that abhors corruption like the incumbent Government has practically demonstrated will be seriously mindful of appointing elements who have antecedents that are tainted with corruption or other negative vices in previous positions they held in public or private sector.

 

It is instructive to put on record too that to appoint regulators especially in our sector, such must be premised or built around persons who are conversant with the terrain to be regulated. I therefore appeal to the Federal Government to give us lawful and befitting appointments in the pharmaceutical sector in the days and months ahead.

 

(3)    THE ROLE OF CONSULTANT PHARMACISTS IN THE NIGERIAN HEALTH SYSTEM

The evolution of the Pharmacy profession can be divided into five (5) historical dispensations. This includes:

 

(1)    Ancient era      -       The beginning of time to AD 1600

 

(2)    Empiric era              -       1600 -1940

 

(3)    Industrialization era -       1940-1970

 

(4)    Patient care era       -       1970 till date

 

(5)    Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Era – the New Horizon

 

The ancient era- was crude as it involved the use of leaves, mud and cool water to stop bleeding and heal wounds. There were also documented experiences of healing onto clay tablets which provided the earliest known written record.

 

In the Empiric era the Pharmacopeia became a regulatory tool for pharmacist. Hospital and Community Pharmacy also evolved in this era.

 

The industrialization era sign posted rapid mass production of medicines and standardization of biologically prepared products as well as complex chemical synthesis.

 

The patient care era encouraged research to develop new medicines. This came with the consequences of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and so necessitated review and monitoring of patients. It is on record that this challenge gave birth to Clinical Pharmacy.

 

In view of the dynamism of the sciences, research, in the area of biotechnology and gene therapy is now being conducted. The advanced technology in pharmaceuticals in processes like recombinant DNA technology has given rise to new therapies for cancer, anemia and hepatitis.

 

The natural consequence of the progress in our profession compels specialization in pharmacy practice. Today specialization which compels expertise in a chosen area has become a global reality in different areas of Pharmacy practice including hospital, industry, community, public health, regulation and control etc.

 

It is logical to posit that after specialization in a chosen area, a need arises to recognize the peculiar expertise of the specialist through an appointment which comes with adequate remuneration.

 

In the light of this reality, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists defines a Consultant Pharmacist as “a Pharmacist who is paid to provide expert advice on the use of medications by individuals or within institutions, or on the provision of Pharmacy services to institutions.

 

The reality of this definition therefore implies that Consultant Pharmacists:

 

*       Must have requisite expert knowledge

 

*       Must be appointed

 

*       Are applicable to different spheres of pharmacy practice

 

*       Must go through a structured selection process.

 

*       Consultant Pharmacist must enjoy benefit of adequate remuneration. 

 

At a time of unprecedented systemic failure in the health system a critical need arises to structure the position of Consultant Pharmacists around four (4) major functions which are:

 

Expert Practice

Research, Evaluation and Service Development

Education, Mentoring and Overview of Practice

Professional Leadership

Expert Practice

 

In view of the evolving hi-tech procedures in medicine therapy, the main purpose of the Consultant role is delivery of high-level professional expertise.

The Consultant Pharmacist will drive professional development and play a pivotal role in the promotion of evidence based practice.

The Consultant Pharmacist will demonstrate a high degree of professional autonomy, dealing with complex issues or situations including circumstances of considerable uncertainty.

 

Research, Education and Service Development

 

(a)    The Consultant Pharmacist will provide an essential clinical governance role by leading and contributing to audit, service evaluation, research, education and training.

 

(b)    The Consultant Pharmacist helps to develop and strengthen links between research and practice. Ultimately the Consultant Pharmacist helps to increase capacity and to develop a workforce that is research oriented.

 

Education, Mentoring and Overview of Pharmacy Practice

 

(a)    Consultant Pharmacist will play a key role in mentoring pharmacy personnel as well as contribute to Human Resource Development in the Health Sector. Engagement in Universities and teaching Hospitals will particularly promote this goal based on need assessment periodically.

 

(b)    Consultant Pharmacist undertakes teaching in his area of competence thereby enhancing links between practice and professional bodies.

 

Professional leadership

 

(a)    Consultant Pharmacist will be effective leaders and communicators who motivate and inspire across the borders of various health specialties in the public and private sector.

 

(b)    Consultant Pharmacist will appraise existing structures and prescribe needed organizational and professional barriers which inhibit service delivery.

 

(c)    The pool of expertise available to the Consultant Pharmacist will compel contribution to the development of service strategies which will drive change in health and social care.

 

In our collective quest for a productive health sector, I call on the Federal Government and the other 35 states of the Federation (ONLY Niger State has recognised this status) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately activate the Consultancy Pharmacist philosophy in the public health interest now in our country.

 

CONCLUSION                 

 

I want to use this opportunity to thank the Central Planning Committee (CPC) and Local Organising Committee headed by Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale and Pharm. Tijjani Hamza respectively for excellent planning and preparations of our 89th Annual Conference which from all indications is already a success.

 

I want to thank you gentlemen of the press for your traditional support to the PSN in its pursuit of sound ideals for healthcare in Nigeria. The challenges are still daunting and we shall continue to solicit more of your invaluable support in the years ahead.

 

God bless you all.

 

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

PRESIDENT

PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA