Pharmacists lament as exodus empties teaching hospitals and ministries
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Pharmacists have expressed concern about the high rate of practitioners leaving the country for greener pastures overseas like doctors, nurses, and other medical workers.
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Osun chapter Chairman Moses Akanmu, a Professor, raised the alarm in Osogbo that pharmacists from different fields now prefer to work abroad rather than practise in Nigeria.
He also lamented the increase in fake drugs and said PSN will deworm 2,000 children across towns in Osun in celebration of the 30th anniversary of PSN.
“Many pharmacists are leaving the country. Academic pharmacists, industrial pharmacists, hospital and administration and community pharmacists, people are leaving. In the teaching hospitals, state ministries, pharmacists are leaving.
“I want to use this medium to call for the employment of more pharmacists in the local government, hospital management boards and the ministry of health to replace those that have relocated, retired or died,” Akanmu said.
“The issue of fake drugs is of major concern to us. As a pharmacist, your patient is very important. If there is an error in any drug administered, that will create a big problem. That is why the issue of fake drugs is not acceptable in any society.”
______________________________________________________________
Related articles:
60% of doctors planning to leave Nigeria
NDLEA destroys N2b assorted illegal drugs
NDLEA busts Mkpuru Mmiri factories, nabs suspects
__________________________________________________________________
Enforceable policy against fake drugs
“Free market is one of the problems that the government needs to tackle. The supply chain of drugs needs to be controlled. The government needs to come up with a policy and ensure its implementation,” Akanmu canvassed, per Vanguard.
“When the policies are adequately implemented, anybody on the street cannot say he wants to get controlled drugs.”
He disclosed PSN will confer awards on Osun Governor Adegboye Oyetola; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; John Awotuyi (TUYIL Pharmacy); and on the Akire of Ikire, Olatunde Falabi, among others.
Akanmu commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administrative Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmaceuticals Council of Nigeria (PCN) for the war against fake drugs, which he said must be seriously fought by every member of society.
