Internet pharmacy will worsen indiscriminate access to medicines, ACPN warns

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has warned that promotion of Internet pharmacy will worsen the increasing indiscriminate access to medicines, drug abuse and misuse in the country.

National Chairman, ACPN, Mr. Samuel Adekola, told journalists that the association remains committed to the letter and spirit of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of its 38th Annual National Conference, which insisted on normalising the chaotic drug distribution channels through the following procedures and interventions by the strategic regulatory agencies involved in drugs distribution such as the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Adekola said: “As a very responsible organisation we cannot be seen on one hand to approbating through building structures of the greatest possibilities by the three regulatory agencies and the other reprobating by worsening the fundamental decay of indiscriminate access to medicines which internet pharmacy will only facilitate as controls to monitor the tenets of internet pharmacy today.”

The pharmacist called for the empowerment of PCN, NAFDAC and NDLEA by the government so that they can better perform their functions.

He said: “For records we insist that the PCN be empowered to have manning levels through inspectors who can monitor, control and enforce existing laws as it affects all Registered and unregistered drug premises or outlets in both the public and private sectors.

“NAFDAC in line with its safety margin be allowed unfettered access to regulate the quality of drugs in pharmaceutical premises while also ensuring sanctity in drug quality control and assurance at all designated port of entry- airports and seaports- in the best interest of consumers of medicines.

“NDLEA in line with its mandate continue to take responsibility for dangerous drugs and narcotics. Pharmacists however call for a directorate of consumer protection which shall be headed by a registered pharmacist is created in line with the undisputed status of pharmacists as experts in drug matters in our quest to tackle drug abuse and misuse.”