Get Guardian on GoogleThe Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Thursday clashed with the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) over alleged unlawful entry into pharmaceutical premises, intimidation of practitioners and arbitrary seizure of medicines, among other issues.
Addressing journalists in Benin City on behalf of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), an arm of the PSN, the society’s president, Pharm. Chris Oisakede, said the CPC Chairman, Mr Osaro Iyamu Culture, was not known to the association as a registered pharmacist or a suitably qualified pharmaceutical analyst or chemist.
Oisakede, who was flanked by other ACPN executives in the state, challenged the CPC chairman to disclose his relevant qualifications, professional registrations, statutory appointments, written authorisations and technical protocols.
He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Edo State CPC has no jurisdiction or authority, whether directly or indirectly, to enter, inspect, supervise or regulate the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria in any manner whatsoever.
“Pharmacy practice in Nigeria, in all its aspects and ramifications, is governed by applicable federal legislation.
“A community pharmacy is an essential point of access to healthcare. Pharmacists counsel patients, promote rational medicine use, support adherence to treatment, identify medicine-related problems, provide medicine safety information and refer patients when further care is required.”
The PSN condemned what it described as the CPC chairman’s unlawful entry into pharmaceutical premises, intimidation of practitioners, arbitrary seizure of medicines, unjustified closure of pharmaceutical facilities and imposition of penalties.
It urged the committee to immediately cease any pharmaceutical inspection, raid, harassment, seizure, sealing of premises or imposition of penalties for which it could not demonstrate clear statutory authority.
The society also demanded the immediate release, subject to applicable legal procedures, of all pharmacy practitioners allegedly detained in connection with the reported operations.
It further called on the state government to obtain a comprehensive explanation of the legal authority under which the operations were conducted and ensure that all consumer protection activities remained within the bounds of the law.
However, reacting to the allegations, the CPC chairman cited Section 8 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act as the legal backing for his activities, particularly enforcement operations.
According to Culture, the Act empowers him to enter premises where there is reason to believe that the law is being violated, inspect products and examine their packaging, take samples for examination, seize counterfeit, adulterated, banned or fake drugs, confiscate unwholesome processed food products and seal premises being used in connection with offences.
On the allegation that he lacked the requisite qualifications to conduct pharmaceutical enforcement operations, Culture said: “You don’t need any qualifications or professional qualifications to determine fake, expired and adulterated products. All you need is requisite training and knowledge.”
