The pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oyo State chapter has enjoined its member to be more committed in their profession as veterinary pharmacists.

This was made known by the PCN South-west zonal director, Pharm. Yejide Oseni, during an entrepreneurial training conducted by the pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria held at the Pharmacy department in the University of Ibadan.

In her speech, she reminds the members of the need to venture into veterinary pharmacy as it has been an integral part of their profession. “Some years ago, we did not talk about that and it was dormant”, she said.

Pharm. Yejide Oseni while receiving her merit award

Pharm. Oseni said; “Like in human life, the doctors prescribe while the pharmacist dispense, therefore, in veterinary, the veterinary doctors equally prescribe and the pharmacists dispense”.

She mentioned some of the problems that PSN is facing as:

• Firstly oppositions on the regulation and control of veterinary manufacturing company by Pharmaceutical council of Nigeria (PCN).
• Institution of court case against PCN by veterinary doctors.
• Recent intention to take over the registration of veterinary pharmacy by Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN)
• And the ongoing bill at the national assembly by VCN infringing on the recent PCN law with intention to dispense veterinary drugs, establish the training of veterinary pharmacists, by veterinary surgeons only.

Pharmacist Opeyemi Akindele, in his own lecture spoke on “How to startup veterinary pharmacy unit in community pharmacy”, gave the tips required for starting a veterinary business.

Pharmacist Opeyemi Akindele receiving his merit award

Akindele urged the members to have confidence in themselves and not to be intimidated by the veterinary doctors’ threats.

“Pharmacists are custodians of drugs and vaccines in an absolute sense” he added.

On his part, Pharmacist Odukoya Taofik Oladipupo,  the CEO  of Vanguard pharmacy, who spoke on “Setting up a veterinary Pharmacy”, urged the participants to step up into veterinary business, as non-professionals has gradually taken the place of the pharmacists in the society.

Pharmacist Odukoya Taofik Oladipupo while receiving his merit award

Pharm. Oladipupo stated that “veterinary pharmacy is not getting the kind of attention it deserves in Nigeria”. In this regard, “I will do it over and over again to ensure the gap is filled”.