Harness sector for economic development, pharmacists urge Oyo governor-elect

Pharmacists under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oyo State branch have urged Oyo State governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, to properly harness the pharmaceutical sector as a springboard for economic development of the state.

Oyo PSN in a release signed by its chairman, Mr Abiodun Ajibade, said this sector can help ensure reduction in the out-of-pocket spending on healthcare, judicious application of scarce resources on the healthcare budgetary allocation, improved man-hour and ensure a well-motivated workforce in the state.

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He stated that pharmacists were the only professionals empowered by law to take custody of drugs, oversee their administration and offer qualitative pharmaceutical care services to patients in order to achieve positive treatment outcomes.

Ajibade called on Makinde to include a pharmacist in the board of the Primary Healthcare Board, saying  when pharmacists are properly positioned, there will be financial prudence in healthcare spending by the government and reduction in the out-of-pocket spending by the patients.

To ensure availability of affordable, qualitative and efficacious medicines across the public health institutions at the state and local government areas, PSN called for the activation of the state’s central medical store at the Ring Road Specialist Hospital, Ibadan.

According to Mr Ajibade, the passage of a bill to establish Oyo State Drug Distribution Agency will make it operational and sanitise the chaotic drug distribution in Oyo State and its attending health hazards to the public.

He also called for upgrade of the head of the department of pharmacy at all the states secondary and tertiary health institutions to the director level to enhance the quality of health services in these hospitals.

To turn Oyo State into a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, he called for the provision of basic amenities, affordable titled lands and establishment of an industrial park for pharmaceutical sector within the Oyo State Industrial Park in a bid to woo pharmaceutical companies into the state.

He also called for a ‘Pharmacy State Levy’ to eliminate and discourage multiple taxations for the community pharmacies.