The Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) has described the current economic situation of the country as a difficult period that needs urgent practical solutions.

At a press briefing held on Thursday at the PSN Secretariat in Lagos, the Chairman of the Board, Pharm Dr. Joel E. B. Adagadzu, ensured their commitment to finding solutions to the challenges of the nation, asserting that it is the responsibility of all patriotic Nigerians and not just the exclusive preserve of those in government.

Giving details of the 6th Public lecture of the BOF-PSN holding 26th June 2024 under the theme “Access to Quality Medicines in an Unstable Environment” with attention on Medicines Security, Adagadzu explained that the choice of a former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi as the Guest Speaker is to ensure a discussive event that will provide lasting solutions to the current state of the nation.

“We are confident that he will be able to unbutton and strip down the topic to its rudimentary level and come up with suggestions that will propel government to address with all urgency the plight of Nigerians faced with the challenges of access to quality medicines,” he said.

Adding that the lecture will be chaired by the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi) CFR, mni, the PSN BOF Chair stated that the event will focus on the plight of citizens pressed down by the heavy burden of costs and other challenges related to access to medicines of good quality.

According to him, “the prices of medicines have gone up by high percentage and still rising by the day. As important stakeholders in the medicine economy, we consider it expedient to ceaselessly draw the attention of government to the plight of Nigerians who are daily unable to have access to quality medicines.”

Reacting to recent show of commitment directed at easing the challenges faced by the pharma industry in Nigeria, the BOF noted that the signs are encouraging but delay in support in the face of the critical state of the industry is dangerous, thereby calling on the government to act fast in order to reverse the ugly trend.

“The country cannot be importing hundred percentage of its Active Pharmaceutical raw materials and be paying all kinds of taxes and custom fees while operating under debilitating challenges and still be expected to produce affordable medicines,” Adagadzu said.

Calling on the President of the country, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to save the industry without further delay, the BOF PSN proffered proposals for government’s quick action.

They proposed that “a national dialogue on local manufacture of essential medicines should be summoned by the government; the issue of access to medicines should feature as part of the regular conversation between government and PSN stakeholders; government should treat medicine security as an important and integral component of national security and accord it its pride of place.”

Lamenting on how the harsh economic situation of the country has affected the pharma industry, Adagadzu noted that the BOF still has its focus on some of its flagship projects particularly the Campaigns against Drug and Substance Abuse but for the universal challenge of paucity of funds.

The Chairman also announced that the BOF PSN will hold its Mid-Year Meeting (MYM) in Awka, Anambra State on 27th June 2024 followed by a closing dinner to be graced by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CON; and the Chairman of the dinner event, HRM Igwe Rt. Hon. Onyido Alexandar Uzodinma, JP.

Awards will be presented to some prominent Nigerians for their contributions to National Development in various ways and for their regular support to the growth of the Pharmacy profession.