Pharmacists seek action on national drug distribution guideline

• Want closure of open drug market
• Group seeks support for cancer awareness campaign
• ‘Pig eaters at risk of Hepatitis E’

Pharmacists have called for the immediate implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines in the country.

They made the call in Lagos at a forum of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) with the theme: “Building a healthy nation, the role of community pharmacists.”

The Chairman, Lagos branch of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Mrs. Biola Paul-Ozieh condemned open drug market in the country.

She urged the Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole to order its closure to check the sale of fake and substandard drugs.

According to her, the system allows non-professionals to infiltrate the market with counterfeit products at great danger to the general public.

Also, the former Chairman, ACPN, Lagos branch, Mr. Aminu Yinka Abdusalam stressed the need for government to monitor drug stores, as there are many unregistered and illegal ones operated for economic gains.

He tasked government on the reconstitution of the board of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to offer the necessary oversight functions.

Similarly, the Chairman, Lagos State Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Adeniran Bolanle urged the Federal Government to appoint a new Director-General for the National Agency for Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Meanwhile, a group, the Tai Aremu Cancer Awareness Campaign Organis ation has urged government t to support awareness campaign against cancer.

The group’s Executive Director, Mr. Aremu Segun Kuti urged government to fund anti-cancer bodies and carry them along in its programme.

According to him, the deaths from cancer would reduce if everyone were aware of its causes and prevention. He promised to take awareness campaign across the country to prevent the scourge.

Meanwhile, reports from European sources have revealed that the current upsurge of Hepatitis E in the country could be traced to imported pork meat.

According to the report by two world-renowned specialists, Nigerian pork eaters, especially those who favour supermarket and high-class eateries are likely to be most affected by the pig virus from pork sausages.

‘’People who contract the virus often show no symptoms, although some can display those similar to the flu. However, HEV can be serious for people with low immune systems, such as transplant patients, or pregnant women,” the reports stated.