Fighting Fake Medications: Pharmacists Push for Collaboration with Government on World Pharmacists Day
As the world commemorated World Pharmacists Day last week, the Pharmaceuticals Society of Nigeria (PSN) called for a vital collaboration with government agencies and the public to combat fake drugs and quacks affecting the country’s healthcare. According to Adewale Adenugba, the Ogun State Chairman of the PSN, the fight against fake medication is a major challenge and a priority for the industry.
Adenugba expressed concern over the large number of unlicensed pharmacies operating in various towns and markets, including Kuto in Abeokuta and Oke-Aje in Ijebu-Ode. He warned that those who continue to defy the law will face punishment. The PSN Chairperson also highlighted the involvement of road-side medicine sellers, fake pharmacists in town, and the illicit production of drugs, stating that the public is significantly affected by these nefarious activities.
The PSN has been working closely with regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat the circulation of fake drugs. Furthermore, Adenugba emphasized the importance of awareness campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse and the need for responsible medication use.
Commenting on this year’s theme, "Meeting Global Health Needs," Adenugba emphasized the central role pharmacists play in addressing evolving healthcare challenges around the world. He bemoaned the fact that many private hospitals in his state dispense medications at pharmacies without the presence of a pharmacist, urging healthcare providers to adhere to appropriate protocols.
To combat these challenges, Adenugba called for the state government’s support in launching a monitoring taskforce to oversee the sale of prescription drugs and ensure that dealers operate within the law.
The public is urged to prioritize the purchase of prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies and always look for NAFDAC-approved medications. On this World Pharmacists Day, the PSN wants to emphasize the importance of pharmacists in ensuring healthcare access and promoting public trust in the pharmaceutical industry.
With the ongoing fight against fake medications, it remains crucial for government agencies and the public to collaborate on this critical issue, striving for a safer and more trustworthy healthcare environment for the people of Nigeria and, indeed, the world over.
