By Haruna Gimba
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) will support the local pharmaceutical industries to manufacture qualitative and standard drugs to reduce high cost of drugs in the country.
President of the PSN, Pharmacist Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai stated this during his inauguration as the 20th President of the 89-year-old association in Abuja.
He said PSN will encourage patronage of the local industry, as more World Health Organisation (WHO) compliant pharmaceutical companies emerge.
He said: “We plan in the months ahead our local pharmaceutical industry will be vigorously supported to come up with good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant factories as prescribed by the WHO, through the evolving satellite pharmacy concept.”
Pharmacist Yakasai added that his administration will also expand the knowledge base of pharmacists in Nigeria through some core programmes, by providing a standard National Medicines Information Centre of international repute in collaboration with UK Medicines Information Centre.
He said pharmacist in the country are contributing to healthcare by developing new ways to support patients in their use of medicines and as part of the clinical decision making across the range of ailments.
“This is the major reason why the PSN continues to champion the dire need for a consultancy cadre in public service pharmacy practice. Professions exist to serve Society, therefore our mission as pharmacists must address the needs of Society, our duty is to work and ensure that the added value we bring to healthcare and our potentials are taken into account and respected by policy makers and other health professionals,” he said.
In his remark, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Kayode Obembe said his organisation through its National Committee on Inter-professional relations, has developed a platform which will provide a synergy between Medical Doctors and Pharmacists towards providing an effective health care delivery system in line with International best practices.
He added that the NMA will give a helping hand to PSN to enhance effective health care delivery system in the country and to move the health sector forward.
