PSN Tasks FG on Funding of Research–based Pharmacists for National Benefits  

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has appealed to the federal government to make funds available to research-based pharmacists in research institutes in the country to encourage the production of drugs of choice for the Nigerian environment.
According to PSN, the research funding which should also be extended to other institutions including Drug Research and Production Units, Centre for Drug Discovery and the Pharmacy schools, “is one of the major ways to actualise the concept of Universal Health Coverage with pharmacists as the pivotal persons.’’

This was a major highlight in the communique issued at the end of the 97th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) themed, theme: ‘Transforming Pharmaceutical Innovation to Facilitate Equitable Healthcare in an Emerging Economy’ held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, recently.
It also said pharmacists are capable of transforming healthcare in Nigeria through innovative, value-driven care that benefits patients, providers, and the entire sector.
The communique signed by the newly elected PSN President, Tanko Ibrahim Ayuba and National Secretary, Gafar ‘Lanre Madehin, applauded the Executive Order of President Bola Tinubu on the pharmaceutical sector which according to the professional body, would enhance medicine security if well implemented and enforced.

It appealed to the Presidency to ‘’direct the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure the smooth execution of this order for the benefit of the public.
The document read in part: “Conference applaud the Executive Order of President Bola Tinubu on the pharmaceutical sector as it has a tendency to enhance medicine security if well implemented and enforced; and urged Presidency to give appropriate directive to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Custom Service to facilitate seamless implementation of the Executive Order of the President in the ultimate public interest.”
PSN advocated for collaboration between Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other enforcement agencies to rid the pharmaceutical sector of fake products and reposition the industry to promote national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

‘’We call for an enhanced regulatory framework that places a premium on Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) collaborations with other law enforcement agents to cleanse and rid the pharmaceutical value chain of drug fakers as a prelude to boosting local drug manufacturing which will position the pharmaceutical industry to contribute significantly to National GDP.”

PSN appreciated the role of Community Pharmacy Facilities in administering over 76,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses as according to the document, a record of 253 Community Pharmacists administered over 76,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in unprecedented outputs in Nigeria’s health system.

It appealed to President Tinubu “To wade into the limiting factor of bad politics of exclusion in Nigerian health sector by directing the National Primary Health Development Agency to tap into the potentials of community based practices of the respective health professionals by maximally utilising the high cross mobility and proximity to consumers of health to engage them in the totality of immunisation endeavours, if our country will ever reverse its embarrassing negative health indices.’’