PSN charges government to appoint pharmacist as DG of NAFDAC

Lagos State chapter appoints first female chairman
The Pharmacists Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called for the immediate appointment of a pharmacist as the Director General of the National Agency for food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The group charged the Federal Government to appoint a seasoned registered pharmacist as the DG while the Governing Council of the agency is reconstituted.

The charge was made recently at the 2017 annual Luncheon of the PSN, Lagos Chapter.

President Muhammadu Buhari on February, 2016 discharged 24 Director Generals (DG) of their duties, among which is the former DG of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who handed over the affairs of the agency to Mrs. Yetunde Oni, who has since then being the Acting Director General.

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is a Regulatory Agency of the Federal Government charged with the mandate to ensure the safety of Foods, Drugs, Chemicals, Water, Medical devices and other regulated products.

According to the PSN, Lagos Chapter, “Section 9(1) of Act 15 of 1993 states to wit “there shall be appointed for the agency by the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces on the recommendation of the Minister, a Director General who shall be a person with good knowledge of pharmacy, food and drugs.”

A statement signed by the chairman, PSN, Lagos Chapter Pharm. Bola Adeniran and made available to The Guardian, said, “The appointment of a Director General of NAFDAC is meant for persons trained in basic Pharmaceutical Sciences. If the true spirit and letter of section 9(1) of Decree 15 of 1993 is strictly adhered to, only a registered pharmacist will logically meet the condition precedent prescribed by law in section 9(1) earlier refer to.

It is also important to note that knowledge is described as the appropriate application of acquired skills in an endeavour. It is impossible to acquire skills in endeavours alien to a dramatis personae,” “It is only Pharmacists that can be designated a pharmaceutical inspector because the provisions of Sections 5 & 6 of the Poison and Pharmacy Act Cap 535 LFN 1990 compels all inspectors to be Registered Pharmacists.”

The group, however, urged the Federal Government to reconstitute the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to enable legitimate accreditation of training facilities in pharmacy practice as well ensuring the return of disciplinary measures in practice matters.