Pharmacists are deeply concerned about the lack of control over drug distribution in Nigeria, which they say has created a chaotic situation and increased medicine insecurity.
This concern and the search for solutions, especially in Anambra State, were the central topics of discussion, lectures, speeches, and research paper presentations at the thirtieth Annual Scientific Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Anambra State Branch, held in Awka over the weekend.
The theme of the conference, “Challenges and Implications of Medicine Insecurity in a Chaotic Drug Distribution System: The Role of Pharmacists,” featured speakers who highlighted several aspects of medicine insecurity, including the scarcity and unavailability of essential and lifesaving medications, the widespread circulation of counterfeit, fake, adulterated, and substandard medicines, and the prevalence of open drug markets. They emphasised that these issues have reached embarrassing levels in the country.
The experts argued that this situation will persist until policymakers, industry stakeholders, and other health professionals recognise the essential role of pharmacists in managing the challenges faced by the medical system in Nigeria.
Leading the charge in providing solutions to the problem of medicine insecurity and addressing the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria, pharmacist Chima Ogbu, a public health advocate and immediate past chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch, delivered a keynote speech.
He stressed that public health crises do not discriminate based on social class, and therefore, the solutions and implementation of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria Act 2022 must be carried out without catering to personal, group, or sectional interests.
Pharmacist Ogbu firmly stated that drugs can never be considered food and should only be administered by professionals.
He called on the Federal Government to establish a national body responsible for collecting and sharing information on the demand for and supply of medicines in the country.
In separate speeches, the National President of PSN, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, and the Chairman of the Occasion, Pharmacist Olumide Akintayo, emphasised the critical roles of pharmacists in addressing the challenges facing the healthcare sector in the country.
They stressed the importance of pharmacists consciously and subconsciously supporting the implementation of policies aimed at addressing unregulated and uncontrolled drug distribution.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, assured the commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to ensuring that the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Oba and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hub in Ogboji are launched soon.
He expressed hope that, when fully operational, these facilities will significantly address the challenges of open drug market distribution not only in the state but also in the entire Southeast region.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Pharmacist Josephat Obasi, explained that the thirtieth edition of the scientific conference celebrates excellence in the pharmacy profession in the state.
He expressed hope that the solutions advocated by the speakers at the conference will be properly implemented with the necessary political will to reshape the public health status of Nigeria.
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