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PSN seeks implementation of prescription policy to curb drug abuse

By Adaku Onyenucheya
14 June 2018   |   4:19 am
The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, (PSN), Ahmed I. Yakasai, has emphasised on adoption and implementation of the prescription policy to effectively rid the country of the menace of drug abuse.

Immediate Past President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, (PSN), Olumide Akintayo (left); Chairman, Building Committee, Yakubu Gobir; National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ACPN), Albert Alkali; and President of PSN, Ahmed Yakasai, during the commissioning of the new ACPN National Secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos recently… PHOTO: ADAKU ONYENUCHEYA

*As ACPN inaugurates new secretariat to boost pharmaceutical practice in communities
The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, (PSN), Ahmed I. Yakasai, has emphasised on adoption and implementation of the prescription policy to effectively rid the country of the menace of drug abuse.

He made the submission during the commissioning of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ACPN) new National Secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos at the weekend.

Yakasai said although the Senate has developed two draft bills for legislation to tackle the increasing drug abuse in the country, that is, the National Drug Control Bill, which according to him seeks interagency collaboration and the mental health bill, that focuses on psychological issues from these drug abuse, there is need for the government to adopt and implement prescription policy to effectively eradicate the menace of illicit production and trafficking of controlled substances in the country.

He said establishing a central mechanism to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement, regulatory and public health authorities, which in line with the National Drug Control Policy, is not enough to fight drug abuse, stressing that lack of adequate funding, working tool and man power, remain a major burden to achieving positive results.

He maintained that the implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guideline, (NDDG) on the proposed date, December 31, 2018, as promise by the government, as well as reinstating the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) at all borders, would cut all sources of fake and control drugs entering into the communities.

Speaking on the new National Secretariat, the National Chairman, ACPN, Pharm. Albert Alkali said as the back bone of the PSN and the society, it would enable the association effectively operate its drug information center and enhance the practice of pharmacists in the communities.

Alkali said the association, which also contributes its quota to the enactment of policies at the National Assembly would, “ take the interest of our profession to ensure that we practice ethically and to ensure that the profession delivers on its mandate to the society, and we would have a lot of coordination and pass information to the public and our members to ensure we take care of Nigerians in the communities,” he added.

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