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Pharmacists seek retool of practice to international standards, survive volatile economy

By Adaku Onyenucheya
17 October 2019   |   2:59 am
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called on the need to retool professional pharmacy practice to suit international standards and survive the volatile Nigerian economy.

Pharmacist. Photo: HOPKINSMEDICINE

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called on the need to retool professional pharmacy practice to suit international standards and survive the volatile Nigerian economy.

The pharmaceutical body stressed that there is need to close up gaps in practice between Nigeria and other developed countries with better health indices, stating that resources and means of production are dwindling and consequently pressing on every facet of Nigerians’ life, not sparing healthcare.

The President, PSN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, while addressing journalists ahead of the yearly conference, which is scheduled to take place in Kaduna from November 4 to 9, 2019 with the with the theme: “Navigating the winds of change in professional practice in a volatile economy”, said it has become difficult to sustain professional practices with poor patronage due to technology closing down on the developing countries.

He lamented that finished products are dumped in Nigeria from other countries at the expense of developing local brands, noting that the issue of regulation of pharmacy practice facing the country has made charlatans falsify the real cost of pharmaceutical care and products.

Ohuabunwa said pharmacists occupy a very strategic position in the primary healthcare delivery pattern of Nigeria, being the most accessible, qualified healthcare professionals located within the reach of patients in all towns and cities, adding that unfortunately healthcare is financed by out of pocket expenditure, which is “inequitable and exposes the people to high-cost burden.”

He added that primary healthcare is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and a “low hanging fruit” towards achieving sustainable development goals.

The Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Bankole Ezebuilo, said to address the conference, which has been framed on pharmacoeconomics, Pat Utomi, a professor of economy and management would give the keynote address.

He said the conference would also showcase research findings, new technologies, pharmaceutical products, and consumables among other areas that would be addressed to ensure navigation to cushion and leverage on the disrupted practice environment.

Other dignitaries that will attend the conference include the chief host, Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, Secretary to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Boss Mustapha and Member, 9th National Assembly, Sen. Uche Ekwunife.

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