Pharmacist Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called on the federal government to provide a conducive environment for local manufacturers to produce drugs if they want PSN to thrive in West Africa.
He said ’‘PSN is one of the oldest professional bodies in Nigeria and it has always been writing to the executive arm of government as well as national assembly to show how we can contribute our quota especially to boost the economy. It was PSN that developed National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), established policy against fake and counterfeit drugs, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was championed by PSN.’’
The PSN President noted that ‘‘the national drug distribution guideline has been on the table since 2012 and the federal government is yet to implement it. However, if the minister of health can fulfil what he said about closing down the four sources where fake drugs and substances are been produced before December 31st, 2018, then Nigeria is safe.’’
He urged the minister of health Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole who has promised to see to the implementation of prescription policy not to rest as the approval will go a long way to curtail drug abuse.
While fielding questions from CEOAfrica correspondent concerning the regulatory and licensing bodies. He said ‘’it is so unfortunate that only 55, 000 people have been accredited and 5,200 people are renewing their licenses meanwhile, 950,000 people are not captured, that is why we have a lot of people operating illegally. We seriously need holistic approach in order to destroy drug abuse completely.
Pharmacist Yakasi expressed his delight in the forthcoming Petrochemical industry initiated by Aliko Dangote. He said ‘‘it will help enhance local production in Nigeria’’.
