In preparation for the upcoming 2017 Pharmacy Week, the executive of Oyo State Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) embarked on another courtesy visits to present the report of the World Malaria Day 2017, celebrated by the PSN on April 27, 2017 at Mapo Hall Ibadan to the Oyo State commissioner of health,  Dr. Azeez Adeduntan on Friday, September 22, 2017.

Pharm Abiodun AJIBADE while delivering the report reiterated the importance of pharmacists especially at the grassroots. He noted that pharmacists remain the most educated first contact with the grassroots and thereby occupy unique position in driving success of public health programmes of government at the grassroots.

He mentioned that since the celebration of the world malaria day, members of the pharmaceutical society rendering services at the community level had given much voice to the campaign of test before treating malaria through the use of the malaria rapid diagnostic test, mRDT.

The PSN chairman submitted that many pharmacies have been able to record over 100 tests per month which was not so before the celebration. He therefore requested the government to look the direction of the pharmacists in the private sector as they remain a useful ally to give publicity to the government health programmes.

Pharm Ajibade   used the opportunity to   invite the commissioner and entire management of the ministry of health to the 2017 Pharmacy Week Celebration holding from   Friday September 29 to October 5, 2017 at Daylan Events & Conference Centre, along Sango-Eleyele road, Ibadan. The 2017 Pharmacy week is supported by Vanguard Pharmacy Limited.

The commissioner of health, Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan while receiving the report appreciated the able leadership of Pharm Abiodun AJIBADE for the innovation and the contribution of the society to the governmental health programmes as demonstrated by the pharmaceutical society during the world malaria day celebration.

 He further noted that Oyo State government is ready to partner with the society especially in the areas where government could be assisted in public health intervention programmes. He therefore requested the society not to rest on their oars as they are a prominent part of the healthcare team giving succour to the general populace.

 He however charged the members to always keep data of their findings and channel them to the appropriate quarters of the government to direct the health programmes and activities of the government.

The director of pharmaceutical services, Pharm Lukman Akinwande while giving vote of thanks appreciated the commissioner for his style of leadership in giving every member of the healthcare team the opportunity to express themselves and also thanked PSN for their creative approach to help drive the governmental programmes.