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Pharmacists’ confab endorses new drug distribution guidelines, others

By Chukwuma Muanya
19 November 2015   |   12:14 am
Pharmacists under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have among other things approved satellite pharmacy concept, endorsed new drug distribution flow chart pattern, and canvassed improvement in immunisation policy.
Ahmed-Yakasai

New PSN President, Ahmed I. Yakasai

• Recommends amoxicillin dispersible tablet, Lo-ORS/Zinc as first line treatment in childhood pneumonia, diarrhoea • Chioma Umeha of Daily Newswatch becomes pioneer recipient of Ben Ukwuoma Memorial Award
Pharmacists under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have among other things approved satellite pharmacy concept, endorsed new drug distribution flow chart pattern, and canvassed improvement in immunisation policy.

They advised the federal government to adopt amoxicillin dispersible tablet and low-osmolarity oral rehydration solution (Lo-ORS)/Zinc as first line treatment in childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea respectively, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO)/United Nation Children Education Fund (UNICEF) guidelines.

Zinc supplements given for 10 to 14 days together with Lo-ORS are recommended for the treatment of childhood diarrhoea.
The PSN in a communiqué released at the end of its 88TH Annual National Conference tagged “Unity 2015” held, last week, in Abuja, approved the satellite pharmacy concept, which is geared towards guaranteeing universal access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medicines in underserved communities in Nigeria.

The theme of the conference was: “Advancing pharmacy through strategic workforce development in practice settings.”
Conference congratulated Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi the winner of the maiden Evergreen Award for Pharmacy Legends; Nkiruka Ozioma Ibeanu winner of Best Graduating Student in all the seventeen faculties at University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the 2013/14 session; Mrs Chioma Umeha – pioneer recipient of the Ben Ukwuoma Memorial Award; and Folashade Lawal – the 2015 winner of the May and Baker Award for Excellence for her intellectual prowess that earned her the award.
The conference deliberated on the theme and sub-themes of the Conference and other contemporary issues influencing healthcare and national development and made the several observations and recommendations.

The conference in particular applauded the major objectives of the satellite pharmacy concept in the areas of the supervision of pharmaceutical service providers, the incorporation of task shifting and sharing into pharmaceutical service delivery as well as enhanced experiential teaching and learning.

The conference endorsed the new drug distribution flow chart pattern as approved by the Federal Ministry of Health. Conference aligned with the various initiatives of the Regulators Forum with pharma stakeholders as facilitated by the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.

The conference encouraged the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria to continue to ventilate the pharmaceutical space with more ideas to ensure that a foolproof drug distribution model is developed ultimately in the best interest of the consumers of health in Nigeria.

The conference canvassed improvement in immunisation policy through reaching every eligible population by reducing barriers (health system, physical, operational and community demand), establishing fixed outreach and mobile immunizations and reduce dropouts and missed opportunities for vaccinations, conduct regular supportive supervision, for periodically assessing and strengthening service providers and skills, attitudes and working conditions which includes regular onsite training, feedback and follow-up with staff.

The conference also insisted that planning for sustainable and equitable immunisation needed teamwork with community members taking into cognisance geographical accessibility, socio-economic and cultural factors.
Conference counselled on the need for the involvement of pharmacists alongside other care providers to achieve a key role of influencing attitudes of patients regarding appropriate immunisation.

Meanwhile, pharmacists have charged their newly elected President, Ahmed I. Yakasai, and 70 new Fellows of the Society to work towards ensuring better health services in the country and improved welfare for members.

Ahmaed Yakasai, a Fellow of PSN, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP), Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Logistics Management of Nigeria and Institute of Chartered Institute of Commerce, and two-time Commissioner in Kano State, over the weekend, emerged as the new President of PSN.
Also, a commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former Acting chairman of the Commission, Amina Zakari and 69 others have emerged Fellows of the Society.

Yakasai, who emerged after an election during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PSN concluded last weekin Abuja, is an accomplished pharmacist/independent consultant with comprehensive background in international marketing. He obtained his first degree in Pharmacy in 1983 from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University.

Other members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) include: John Enger as Deputy President North; Dr. Otakho Daniel Orumwense as Deputy President South; Gbolagade Iyiola as National Secretary; Nwijudu Uzoma as Assistant National Secretary; Emeka Callistus Duru as National Treasurer; Dr. Tawa Idubor as National Financial Secretary; Dr. Arinola Joda as National Publicity Secretary; Dr. Bolajoko Aina as Editor-In-Chief; Amid Olanrewaju Alege as Internal Auditor; Idris D. Pada as Unofficial Member; Victor Okwuosa as Unofficial Member; and Olumide Akintayo as Immediate Past President.
Also, the National Council of PSN over the weekend in Abuja, approved 70 Fellows at its session during the Society’s ongoing 2015 AGM.

The new Fellows according to a statement signed by the outgoing President, Olumide Akintayo, are practitioners in diverse areas including community, industry, hospital and academic pharmacy.

Top on list are Amina Zakari, Adaeze Omaliko and Gbolade Osibodu.
Others are: Adebayo Jimoh; Adejumo Moyosore; Ahmed Ibrahim Babashehu; Ajayi Felix Taiwo; Akpa Christiana; Alade Johnson Olatunde; Aliu Rachel Bosede; Areola Akintunde Francis; Aromiwura Yetunde Esther; Atumen Superior; Bakare Joke; Bolaji Oladotun Oluseye; Boyle Daba Abbeyba; Dasuki Khadir Abba; Doherty Tunji; Ebigbeyi Maureen; Egwu Daniel Uzochukwu; Eimujeze Monica Doo; Esimone Charles; Eze Obiena Patrick; Ezeiru Valentine; Falabi Olugbenga; Fashesin Olalekan; George Olubukunola Adewumi; Hussain Isa Marte; Idris Dingau Pada; Ifebigh Lawrence N; Igbonacho Martin; Igweobi Anietom Chuzi; Ilozor Emma; Isherhienrhien Festus; Izunwa Kennedy; Kelly Emeka Nwagha; Lawal Folashade Olufunke; Ligali Kudirat.

Others are: Momodu Rametu Omamegbe; Musa Aliyu; Nasir Mohammed Yinusa; Nnamdi Obi; Nsa Eyo; Nwachukwu Edith Uchenna; Nwanze Vera; Obembe Akintunde; Obono Margaret; Ogieva Grace Ohwovwerha; Okere George; Okocha Jonathan Amadi; Okoli Chuka; Okonkwo Stephen Azubike; Okoye Ebenezer; Okwuosa Victor; Olajiga Peter Oluwasusi; Olubowale Gbenga Oyewole; Olumese Caroline Ofore; Olusetire Johnson Olutayo; Onedo Grant; Onyekweli Anthony; Orumwense Daniel; Osinoki A. Olayinka; Osonubi Mojisola; Popoola Olusola; Ringim Habibu Uba; Tafida Jibrin Aliyu; Taiwo Samuel Olugbeminiyi; Udeze Henry; Uwaga Chinyere; and Zakariya Bashir.

Amina Bala Zakari (née Husaini Adamu) was an Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian electoral body. She is now an INEC Commissioner.
Zakari was the first woman to be appointed to the position of the leadership of INEC.

Adaeze Omaliko (nee Muanya) is a pharmacist per excellence who has won several local and international awards. Adaeze is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of one of the biggest pharmacy stores on the east of the Niger, Malix Pharmacy, with branches at Onitsha.

Mr. Victor Gbolade Osibodu is a graduate of Pharmacy at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School and the Harvard Business School. He also intermittently attends IHRDC’s Oil and Gas Management programs in Boston Massachusetts, United States. He is a regular participant at Energy related Seminars and Conferences both locally and internationally.

Former INEC boss, Amina Zakari, now PSN Fellow

Former INEC boss, Amina Zakari, now PSN Fellow

Meanwhile, the conference advised the Federal Government to adopt Amoxicillin Dispersible Tablet and Lo-ORS/Zinc as first line treatment in childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea respectively, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO)/United Nation Children Education Fund (UNICEF) guidelines.

The conference pleaded with members of the PSN, who are members of the National Standard Treatment Guidelines/Essential Medicines List Review Committee to support the adoption of the new WHO guidelines that recommends amoxicillin dispersible tablet and Lo-ORS/Zinc as first line treatment in childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea respectively.
The conference called on the federal government to create budget lines and make budgetary provision for the procurement and distribution of these essential life-saving child health commodities, amoxicillin dispersible tablet and Lo-ORS/Zinc, through the FMoH and related agencies such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The conference particularly encouraged distinguished members of the PSN in the manufacturing, community and hospital pharmacies to scale-up the availability and affordability of the essential life-saving child health commodities, amoxicillin dispersible tablet and Lo-ORS/Zinc.

The conference evaluated the membership of the Federal Executive Council and reminded the federal government of the availability of an overwhelming preponderance of registered pharmacists who could assist President Buhari,GCFR to move the country forward at this critical junction in the political evolution of Nigeria.

The conference affirmed that pharmaceutical care was the current philosophy of pharmacy practice worldwide. Pharmaceutical care affects the way pharmacists think and practice irrespective of the practice setting. The conference reasoned that pharmaceutical care education in Nigeria should start with training the trainers, developing practice sites and should be student centered as well as outcome oriented.

The conference once again appealed to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to formally recognised Pharm D programme so that the training of Nigeria pharmacists will be at par with what obtains in the contemporary world.

The conference counselled the PCN to clearly define the syllabus and guidelines for the pre-registration examination ahead of its commencement as this examination will become the final clearance house for all intern pharmacists with the advent of several public and private universities where pharmacists are trained which undoubtedly leaves a wide variation in the quality of students on admission and graduation.

The conference challenged the PCN and other appropriate templates to develop a credentialing system for specialised pharmacists in line with the global trend in healthcare, which encourage health professionals to specialise. The conference emphasised that the future of hospital pharmacy practice lies in creating various areas of specialisation to meet emerging challenges in the care process.

The conference further posited on a dire need for pharmacists to embrace Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Conference adopted the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) model, which defined CPD as “the responsibility of individual pharmacists for systematic maintenance, development and broadening of knowledge, skills and attitudes, to ensure continuing competence as professionals throughout their career”.

The conference mandated the PCN, Faculties of Pharmacy and West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) to inculcate an innovative approach in addition to strong collaborations to achieve these salient goals and objectives.

The conference strongly urged the registry of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria to consolidate its modest gain in the areas of monitoring and control by extending its tentacle from seven States to all States of the federation particularly the hotbeds of indecorum in the drug distribution chain notably Lagos, Anambra, Abia, Kano and similar states.

The conference admonished the PCN, the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and FMoH having been cognisant of the need for adequacy of regulatory instruments and the need for political will for enforcement of these instruments to take full advantage of the National Drug Distribution guidelines and the approved drug distribution flow chart to make history by ensuring that the foundation for a solid drug distribution channel is built and sustained in Nigeria.

The conference hailed PSN/PCN collaboration, which culminated in the ceding of MCPD points under PSN platform to registered pharmacists. Pharmacists under the aegis of PSN called on the PCN to hasten the gazette of the MCPD initiative and the pharmacists seal which will be a new regulatory tool to enhance quality control in the sourcing and distribution of medicines in our country.

The conference critically appraised the PCN Act and the spirit of perpetual succession as regards the Governing Council of the PCN. The conference lamented the perennial disruption of the Governing Council through dissolution alongside boards of other parastatals. The conference put on record that the PCN mandate in pharmacy practice, training of pharmaceutical personnel and disciplinary matters is too germane to safety of lives of consumers to be compromised on altars of political expediency.

The conference therefore called on the Federal Government to immediately reconstitute the PCN lawfully while respectfully soliciting adherence to the list of nominees forwarded by the PSN in tandem with existing statutes and norms.

The conference paid glowing tribute to Pfizer Nigeria and East Africa region for bestowing maiden honours on the reflected hospital and administrative as well as community pharmacists who have distinguished themselves over time – Pharm. (Mrs.) Margaret Obono, Pharm. (Mrs.) Olubukunola George, Pharm. (Mrs.) B. F. O. Adeniran, Pharm. (Mrs.) Ololade Alabi, Pharm. Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, Pharm. Chuks Onyibe, Pharm. Uche Apakama, Pharm. Moshood Lawal, Pharm. Chris Ehimen and Pharm. Audu Mohammed.

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