Procold seeks innovative approach towards medicine security

•Advocates sustainable access to affordable, quality-assured essential medicines to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day
Procold, one of Nigeria’s leading non-drowsy, fast-acting remedy for colds, flu, and catarrh, has partnered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos State Branch towards ensuring medicine security and local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in Nigeria, and as part of innovations to mark the Society’s 2022 Scientific Week.

The Council of Merit Awards (COMAW) along with the Board of Fellows of PSN planned the event, which took place recently, to showcase the accomplishments of pharmacists in the state.

PSN’s prominent top industry expert, Kunle Oyelana, in a lecture themed “Innovative Approach Towards Ensuring Medicine Security: The Place of Local Production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Nigeria,” urged government at all levels to support the pharmaceutical industry.

Oyelana, who is also a Fellow of PSN, said the new regulatory policy to increase local production of essential medicines in Nigeria should contribute to ensuring predictable and sustainable access to affordable and quality-assured essential medicines, and strengthening the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

Head of Brand at Procold for West Africa, Marvin Lucky, in his statement at the event, said: “As a brand, it is a privilege to work closely with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to harness the potentials of drug administration for the right purposes. We are glad to be a part of the 2022 Scientific Week to engage the public about how important their health should be to them. In line with this year theme, the understanding of the active pharmaceutical ingredients becomes a critical step to cure a specific illness. In the spirit of Nigeria’s independence, PSN admonished Nigerians to desist from indiscriminate use of fake drug and hope that Procold will continue to contribute to the better health of the nation.”

“Procold still joined the outreach programme as part of its’ Corporate Social Responsibility. In the spirit of the Independence Day, the collaboration between Procold and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Lagos State branch is to foster better quality of life for all Nigerians through access to original and high-quality medicines.

“Orange Drugs Limited, a division of Orange Group is dedicated to offering customers the best in pharmaceutical products and markets the cold medicine brand, Procold,” Lucky said.

Chairman of PSN Lagos State Branch, Gbolagade Iyiola, in his address, said: “It is quite essential to honour Procold joining this programme and I hope that the collaboration will remain times to come. PSN wants to ensure that every Nigerian gets the best possible care when it comes to health. Moreover, we are offering health outreach to people as a way to further celebrate the Scientific Week 2022.”

Iyiola, who is also a Fellow of PSN, said the health outreach, which took place at Ogudu Secretariat of PSN Lagos State, included health screenings, consultations and referrals.