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By Aherhoke Okioma, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State government and the Pharmacy Society of Nigeria, PSN, have expressed hope that they would continue to partner in ensuring professionalism in administering and getting the state rid of fake and unwholesome drugs.
The duo made the pledge at the weekend in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the celebration of the 2020 edition of the world pharmacy day.
Speaking to newsmen, the director of pharmaceutical services at the state Ministry of Health, pharmacist (Dr) Okunbiriowei Alek, who represented the state commissioner of Health, Dr Pabara Igwele, said the importance of pharmacists to the well-being of citizens cannot be over-emphasized, adding that they are not only needed in the production of drugs to remedy illnesses and sundry diseases alone, but world over pharmacists are the only professionals empowered to dispense drugs even after manufacturing.
Alek cautioned against patronage of
quackery by patients and authorised drug buyers, noting that drugs even as they
serve as remedies to illnesses can also
be poisons.
Also speaking, onetime deputy national president, PSN and head, pharmaceuticals, at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, pharmacist (Dr) Daniel Orumwense, described the day as historic, noting that the 2020 edition is about the 10th series commemorated in the world.
Orumwense hinted that Bayelsa and Nigeria is not lagging behind in marking the annual global day set aside for the commemoration of the importance of pharmacists.
The former PSN national deputy helmsman said through the partnership of the government, the PSN and other sister drug regulatory agencies, the menace of unwholesome drugs is gradually being addressed.
He pointed out that though patent medicine dealers play role in the nation’s drugs distribution chain, some are not trained pharmacists, warning against the abuse of drugs and substances.
The theme for this year’s event is ‘Pharmacists: Transforming Global Health.’
Meanwhile, the state PSN chairman, pharmacist (Dr) Ronari Owaba, has charged members of the profession to live above board in the discharge of their professional duties.
He stated that the pharmacist is saddled with the onerous task of not just manufacturing, testing and dispensing drugs for the cure and treatment of diseases but that they are a key stakeholders in the chain of distribution of these drugs as they are also involved in the training and retraining of pharmacists and students of pharmacy in the various academic institutions.
Highpoints of the event were free drugs dispensation by the Young Pharmacists Association, headed by its state coordinator, pharmacist Akibra Shadrack, as the association also took time to unwind through boat cruise, amongst others.
