By Zayamu Hassan
The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has called on pharmacists in the country to brace up for the “imminent” third wave of the COVID-19 in the country.
Registrar of the PCN, Pharmacist Elijah Mohammed made the call in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday
He said it is evident that the world is facing the third wave of COVID-19, characterized with the Delta variant of the virus ravaging many countries.
“Let me, therefore, implore all colleagues to continue to rise up to the defense of the good people of Nigeria while also ensuring adequate protection of yourselves against the virus,” he said.
He revealed that in keeping pace with the determination to sanitize the pharmaceutical practice environment, the PCN Enforcement team has stepped up the tempo of its activities nationwide.
Elijah said: “In this regard, the team visited Edo state within the month of July. During the enforcement exercise, a total of 348 illegal premises were sealed and this comprised of: 84 Pharmacies and 264 Patent Medicine Shops; while 22 compliance directives were issued to others for minor offenses.
“The premises that were sealed were found not to be in compliance with the various regulatory provisions of the PCN mandate.”
He, therefore, applauded all Pharmacists in Nigeria for their diligence and hard work towards ensuring the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable healthcare delivery in the country, calling on them “not relent but let us remain resolute.”
The registrar also disclosed that the PCN has opened the registration for the second cycle of the Foreign Pharmacist Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP).
According to him, the registration is scheduled to commence on August 15, at the University of Ilorin, Kwara state (North) and the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State (South).
He, however, advised interested candidates and the general public are advised to visit www.pcn.gov.ng for more information on the programme.
This is even as the PCN has inducted 159 foreign pharmacy graduates who have completed and were successful at the First Cycle of 2021 Foreign Pharmacist Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP).
