Anambra commited to effective manufacturing, distribution of quality drugs, Soludo reassures ACPN

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has reassured the members of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) of his administration's commitment to promote manufacturing, marketing and effective distribution of quality drugs in the State.

Soludo gave the assurance while speaking at the just concluded 44th International Scientific Conference held in Awka by the association under the theme 'Technology integration and personalized care: the future of community pharmacy practice” and tagged “Ifeadigo 2025."

The governor, who explained that the government was aware that health is wealth, noted that the administration would not allow fake and substandard drugs to reign supreme in Anambra State due to its health hazards and urged the members of ACPN to support the efforts by getting ride of quackery in the profession.

"I want you to do a whole lot more through self regulatory and self censorship. Regulate your members in terms of professional ethics so that when we see something that carries the pharmacists superintendent we will go home and sleep. We don't want such a thing like substandard or illegal drugs in circulation in any part of the State.

"We also acknowledge that with advancements of technology and Artificial Intelligence, everything about medicines will be viewed totally differently in years to come. We are very intentional to ensure that every drug manufactured, marketed or distributed here are of the best quality," he assured.

According to him, the government was intentional about delivery of quality health services to the populace which was why it has strengthening the primary health centres culminating into their winning prizes at the regional and national levels and he would soon deliver the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Oba for effective regulation, manufacturing and distribution of drugs.

“Healthcare is a teamwork. All doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and health workers have to collaborate for greater impact. In Anambra, we’re doing that. I want to assure you that we will continue , and we will complete the CWC at Oba before your next PSN National Conference. We’re not just building structures, we’re institutionalising reforms," he added.

Also speaking, the National President of ACPN, Pharmacist Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, explained that Anambra State was chosen to host the event due to its support to improved health delivery through reforms and policy friendly governance, even as he noted that the theme for the conference was carefully selected to increase members awareness on use of digital technology for improved practices and professionalism.

Ezeh further called on the government to create a clear regulatory frameworks to avoid conflicts of interests between the NAFDAC and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) that could disrupt the pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.

On his part, the National President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharmacist Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim, commended the governor for playing a host to the event and for making the State friendly to pharmacists through provisions of basic amenities, urging him to sustain the tempo.

Ibrahim, who described Soludo as Pharmacy-friendly governor, also commended him for accepting to the 99th National conference of the PSN, which according to him, would bring core professionals in the industry across the world to brainstorm and chat ways forward for effective and efficient health delivery.

He, however, urged community pharmacists not to relent in delivering their services to the populace professionally because according to him, they are the point of call to people at the grassroots “as the face of Pharmacy, whoever is sick will come to you. Therefore, continue to shine the light."

Contributing, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of ACPN and former president of PSN, Uno Uwaga expressed happiness for establishment of a quality control laboratory in Anambra State which he described as a potential national benchmark noting also that with a donation of landed property for a research centre for industrial pharmacists, the proposed pharmaceutical industrial hub, and other reforms would help to improve access to health.

Delivering a Keynote address on 'Digital Health, Personalized Care, and the Now of Community Pharmacy Practice,' Prof. Michael Ubaka of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka observed that community pharmacists have enormous impact in society and urged them to strive to perform the roles by integrating digital health and personalized care into their practices as well as facilitate access to universal healthcare.

According to him, ACPN members due to their nearness to the people should work tirelessly in providing health education to all, including immunization and chronic disease, and assistance to ensuring that the citizenry enjoy equal access to Universal health coverage.

Speaking in an interview, the state Chairman of ACPN, Pharmacist Henry Iloh expressed happiness over the success of the programme noting that the key points and discussions would form parts of their professional practices.

Earlier speaking, the Chairman of the opening ceremony, Pharm. Ike Onyechi, represented by Pharm. (Dr.) Ignatius Anukwu, stressed the importance of digitalising community pharmacy as innovative solutions to enhance health service delivery in Nigeria.

The event was attended by other dignitaries across the country, including the Traditional Ruler of Ogidi, Pharmacist Alex Onyido; the Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed, Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN); the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Pharm. Loui Madu.
Others were the past Presidents of PSN- Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, Pharm. Anthony Akhimien, and Pharm. (Prof) Cyril O. Usifoh; the Traditional Ruler of Awka, HRM Obi (Dr.) Gibson Nwosu represented by Chief. Ezeagu; the Anambra State commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike; the Special Adviser to governor Soludo on Medical and Pharmaceutical, Pharm. (Dr.) Nnadozie Godwin; Pharm. Uchenna Apakama, BOF-PSN National Chairman; Pharm. Elechi Oyim, AHAPN National Chairman; Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Aminu Ezebuilo, NAIP National Chairman; Prof. Catherine Stanley, NAPA National Chairman; Pharm. Chisom Uchem, Executive Director of Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA); Pharm. (Pa.) Deji Osinoiki, Past Chairman ACPN; Pharm. (Dr.) Ejiro Foyibo; Pharm. William Etubiebi, Esq., Past Chairman ACPN; Pharm. (Prince) Olufemi Adebayo, Past Chairman ACPN; Pharm. (Dr.) Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, Past Chairman ACPN; Pharm. (Prince) Adewale Oladigbolu, Immediate Past National Chairman of ACPN; and Prof. Chukwuemeka Michael Ubaka, the Honorable Commissioner for Health in Imo State and keynote speaker.