Pharmacists Abiodun Ajibade, Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oyo state Branch flanked by immediate past chairman and key member of the Association during the press conference in Ibadan
The much publicised Pharmacy Week 2017 entered the fifth day with a health sensitization workshop on safe use of drugs organized for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Oyo State Branch.
Pharmacist Ajibade Abiodun while speaking with CEOAFRICA said “PSN embark on this health sensitization for members of the union on the need for them to take their health issues with all sense of seriousness as a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. It is our duty as stakeholders, to educate people at the grassroots on the proper use of drugs in other to save lives.” He said.
Meanwhile, Pharmacists in Nigeria have called on the Nigeria Government to give a special foreign exchange rate on importation of raw materials by drug manufacturing companies.
The Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oyo State branch, Pharmacist Abiodun Ajibade made this call in Ibadan while briefing journalist on the activities lined up for the 2017 Pharmacy Week at a press conference held at the Pharmacy building .
Ajibade explained that reducing exchange rate for drug raw materials is one of the immediate key steps government can take to leverage on the potentials of the sector.
He stressed that the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is a multi-billion dollar business with the capacity to create wealth and employment opportunites in the country.
The PSN Chairman stated that pharmacists, understanding their position as professionals occupying a very crucial and important position in health sector, have to lend their voice to the government on the disadvantages of importing drugs and the economic realities of manufacturing drugs locally.
‘’As professionals, we will continuously improve upon our professional calling, of giving ‘pharmaceutical care’, rendering services that ensure the health of the populace , joining forces with the government for public enlightenment to make the society free of drug abuse and misuse.”
Since the 2017 pharmacy week is more or less a platform for pharmacists in Oyo state to lend their voice to the economic realities in Nigeria, the chairman did not hesitate to point out that Nigeria at 57 is obviously not an infant but a nation with great potentials and capacity to be the strongest Nation in Africa but is still a mono-economic nation.
“Sadly, over 80% of drugs in the Nigerian market are imported with very low capacity utilization of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. This ugly experience is a major task that must be reversed if Nigeria must take responsibility of its economic growth and recovery” Ajibade said.
Responsible for this as he enumerated were the lack of infrastructure, unfavourable government policies and regulations, lack of incentive and income tariff.
All these according to him could be tackled if government is serious and are ready to do the needful so as to turn around the “import syndrome” and make local production of drugs a priority. This he said will not only generate employment, but will affect our foreign exchange positively and enhance the economy in an unprecedented way.
Pharm Ajibade appealed to the media to focus their attention on the contributions by pharmacist and the pharmaceutical industry towards national development.
While responding to questions from journalists, he urged the government at all levels especially the Oyo State Government to build what he called a “pharmaceutical farm” where electricity will be available 24/7 which is the case in India and China which are currently the pharmaceutical powerhouse of the world today.
These two countries also leverage on their enormous population to lower the cost of manpower, this also is a potential Nigeria is yet to harness.
Information made available to CEOAfrica by the Public Relation Officer of PSN, Pharmacist Michael Durowaiye, reveals that the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Pharmacy Week is set for tomorrow Wednesday by 9am. Highlights of the ceremony will include: scientific session, exhibition, and dinner/award night to round it up on Thursday.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Oyo State Branch will also give awards of recognition to Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Execellency Godwin Obaseki, the Executive Governor of Edo State and some other prominent Nigerians.
The award is in appreciation of their immense contribution towards the access to health care and quality medicine within and outside Oyo State.
Distinguished personalities to be awarded at the event are; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari for his effort on free medical check-up, treatment and provision of drugs for 10,000 members of his constituency, Deputy Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly Hon. Abdulwasi Musa, for his effort on the passage of healthcare bills, Chief Debo Omotosho , Chairman Bond Chemical Industries Ltd, and Prince Olaniyi Oladeinde for his philanthropic contributions to the people of Oyo state to access healthcare and youth empowerment.
The week-long programme with the theme ‘’Pharmaceutical Industry: Panacea to National Economic Recovery’’ will feature a lot of activities set to enlighten as well as discourse on the role of pharmacy in National Development.
Pharm. Abiodun Ajibade , Chairman of PSN, Oyo State Branch, however, explained that the programme is organised to deliberate on how the potentials of the pharmaceutical industry can be harnessed to benefit the country economically especially in this period when government is doing everything possible to diversify the economy. He noted that the Managing Director, Miraflash Pharmaceuticals, Pharm. Moses Oluwalade will be speaking on the theme: ‘’Pharmaceutical Industry: Panacea to National Economic Recovery.”
The Event will hold at the Daylan Events and Conference Centre, Sango-Eleyele Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and the programme is supported by Healthplus Limited.