Experts in the pharmaceutical sector have urged pharmacists to act against medicine insecurity in the country. The call was made at the 24th yearly national scientific conference of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) in Lagos.

Executive Director, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Uzoma Ezeoke, in her keynote speech on the theme: “Medicine Insecurity: A major threat to public health,” said her goal is to challenge pharmacists to take the right step in curbing medicine insecurity.

She said medicine security was not only about getting wants but needs, noting that insecurity comes from not knowing one’s likes. She urged pharmacists to know their power to make things easy, as the power of the pharmacists is to influence.

Also, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Usifoh, said he had been working with consultants to find remote solutions to the problems. He urged pharmacists to get involved in politics at all levels to ensure participation in decision-making.

In the same vein, Chairman, Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Segun Onakoya, said the conference’s theme strikes at the challenges the nation confronts in ensuring access to safe and effective medication.

He said the aim of the conference was to foster a multi-disciplinary dialogue that promotes collaboration, innovation and actions towards combating medicine insecurity in Nigeria.

“Medicine insecurity is an issue that affects not only the quality of healthcare provision but also the well-being of our citizens, as it directly impacts the health outcomes of individuals and communities,” he said.

The Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja Agbabiaka, who pledged adequate support to pharmacists, assured them of collaboration to put an end to medicine insecurity.

AHAPN Lagos Chairman, Modupe Oyawole, said the theme of the conference is apt at a time when there is a lot going on in the pharmaceutical space with innovations introduced.

PSN, Lagos Chairman, Babayemi Oyekunle, said the COVID-19 pandemic had taught the world that everyone is vulnerable, imploring all nations to prioritise production and distribution of essential medicines in all countries to forestall inadequacies and danger to healthcare sustainability experienced during the pandemic.