The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ekiti State Branch, Martins Alutundu, has lauded the efforts of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration to rid the country of fake and substandard drugs and sanitise the drug distribution system.
Alutundu, in a statement titled, ‘Ekiti PSN lauds the bold steps of NAFDAC’, made available in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, expressed the body’s support for the NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and her team, describing the fight against fake drugs as a task that must be accomplished.
The PSN chairman said, “The effects of fake and counterfeit medicines among others are poor/failed therapeutic or treatment outcomes, loss of valuable economic time due to unnecessarily long hospital stay, pressure on healthcare providers, loss of human capital, medical tourism (when medicines don’t work the citizens lose trust in the healthcare system) and death.
“The very courageous steps being taken by NAFDAC to sanitise the Nigerian drug distribution system, which has been very chaotic for ages and a veritable source of compromise to Nigeria’s Health System, is commendable.
“This commendable action of NAFDAC shows solidarity with the health, wellness and welfare of Nigerians. Our country should not be a hotspot for counterfeiting, drug abuse or misuse; or the sale of fake, adulterated and substandard medicines by charlatans who seek to make fortunes by engaging in these unwholesome practices.
“We hereby publicly declare our unshakeable support for the NAFDAC, Prof. Adeyeye and her team. We avow that this is a task that must be accomplished to rid the entire country of counterfeit/fake, substandard, unwholesome and illicit drugs, food, cosmetics, chemicals, and medical devices in order to keep safeguarding public health.”
Alutundu also tasked all stakeholders to ensure “Implementation of Standard Drug Distribution and Coordinated Wholesale Centres”, saying”this will allow for proper monitoring and tracking of medicines within the country.”
The PSN chairman hailed Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for providing a conducive environment for standard drug distribution in the state, saying that “his support for equipping the Ekiti Drug and Health Supplies Management Agency and its consequent upgrade to Pharmagrade Standard is commendable.”
“We encourage all political gladiators and stakeholders to put the health of the masses they have sworn to protect first above any other consideration because anyone is a potential patient, client or end-user of these drug items,: the pharmacist said.
