Pharmacists warn against quackery

THE Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Nasarawa State chapter, has warned quack pharmacy practitioners in the state to desist from illegal activities or face the full wrath of the law.

Mr Agada Vincent-Agada, the state president of the association, gave this advice on Sunday, in Keffi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to mark the 2016 World Pharmacists Day.

NAN reports that the World Pharmacists Day is marked annually every September 25 and the 2016 celebration has its theme as, “Pharmacists Care For You”.

Vincent-Agada said that the association had planned to checkmate quackery in the profession, which, he said, was hampering quality health care service delivery in the country.

“Every September 25 is set aside annually to create the public awareness as well as to encourage the activities that promote and consolidate the profession’s role in the society.

“The role of the pharmacists in the society cannot be over-emphasised, right from the manufacturing to the   administration of drugs.

“As key players in the health sector, the day has also been set aside not only to create awareness but to reflect the emotional connection pharmacists have for patients and the public.

“Without pharmacists, the work of doctors will be incomplete in discharging their duties. Anybody, who should be the closest to a doctor should be a pharmacist, “he said.

According to him, any pharmacist, who is not operating according to the professional ethics and values code, will be asked to shut down in the interest of the peoples’ health and the country.

Vincent-Agada also advised Nigerians to always avoid self medication but seek medical examination before taking drugs in the interest of their health and well being.

The president reinstated the commitment of the association to continue to initiate good policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.

Also in an interview with NAN, Mr Sabi’u Adamu, the Director and Head of Department, Pharmaceutical Service, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, said checking quackery was part of the indispensable role of pharmacists.

According to him, any drug being consumed by patients has its effect, hence the need to ensure that quacks are not allowed to tarnish the image of the society,” he said.