Bayelsa needs more pharmacists to meet challenges, says BDDC

The Director of Pharmaceutical services, Bayelsa state Drug Distribution Company (BDDC), Okunbriowei Alek, has said that more pharmacists are needed to augment health care delivery in the state.

Although the state has about 30 pharmacists, Alek noted that more professionals are still required to help bridge the gap in health care centres across the state.“We have over 100 health facilities, which should have at least a pharmacist, these affirms that not less than a 100 more are needed, hence, government should strive to increase the number of pharmacists in a bid to deliver an effective health care system,” he added.

The Director who warned against self-meditation insisted that the effects of such abuse could be disastrous and advised patients to adhere strictly to the doctor’s prescription.

On doctors overlapping functions with pharmacists, Alex said that everyone’s roles are literally spelt out in government facilities. The doctor does the consulting while the pharmacists administers and review the drugs. On the relevance of the Pharmaceutics Council of Nigeria (PCN), he said the body ensures adherence to regulations by regular inspection and monitoring of hospitals.

PCN has the capacity to shut down unregistered or erring pharmacies in any hospital,” he added.Managing Director, Drug Distribution Centre, Tamaraotare Johnson, said centre was established by Governor Seriake Dickson to fill the yearning gap in the health sector.

She said the mission of the DDC is to provide a world-class drug distribution service, ensure availability of quality, cost-effective drugs and medical supplies in Bayelsa and its environs by working in collaboration with credible partners across the supply chain .