Community Pharmacists In Imo Urge President Buhari To Sign PCN Bill Into Law

Dan Opara

 

Imo State Chapter of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria,ACPN, a Technical Arm of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria,PSN,has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria,PCN,bill into law.

 

The pharmacists made the appeal through a communique signed by the ACPN Chairman in Imo,Mr.Nkem Anaele, and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.

 

Pharm.Anaele said that when signed, the bill which was passed by the National Assembly in 2017 will address challenges in the pharmaceutical sub-sector and by extension the health care system in Nigeria.

 

The practicing pharmacist listed the challenges which includes: Chaotic drug distribution, drug abuse epidemic, lax regulation and enforcement among others.

Pharm Nkem added that the signing of the bill by the President will strengthen regulatory agencies especially the PCN to improve medication access and quality pharma care through the proposed satellite pharmacy initiative.

 

The Imo ACPN boss further said that the bill when signed will change the narratives and better enable the sub-sector to contribute to National Gross Domestic Products,GDP.

 

“Nigeria is probably the only nation without comprehensive legislation to control drug distribution and medication use.

 

“All the existing laws are archaic and lack the necessary provision to save the nation from these challenges especially drug abuse and fake drug syndrome. You never can tell who the next victim of fake drugs will be.

 

“We hereby request Mr President to please sign this all important bill to save the nation and its citizens from this present quagmire as anything to the contrary will amount to a grand conspiracy against Nigeria”, he appealed.