In Nigeria, the open sale of drugs – both traditional and pharmaceutical— through unregistered outlets is a major concern. It is not strange to see unregistered ‘doctors’ and ‘pharmacists’ advertising and selling medicines in commercial buses and by the roadsides. These drug hawkers are sometimes seen selling prescription-only antibiotics and other powerful painkiller drugs. They…

Many music lovers were thrown into a state of worry three months back when news that "Sorry Not Sorry" hitmaker, Demi Lovato had overdosed on drugs. Thankfully, she was able to receive quick medical treatment and she subsequently checked into rehab. Her mom Dianna De La Garza in a recent appearance on the latest episode…

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Olusade Adesola has charged athletes and officials billed to represent Nigeria at the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games in Argentina to play free and clean of doping. Addressing the athletes and coaches, who have been training in an Abuja camp in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games, which…

How can one define quality in business? How can we set realistic and achievable quality standards? To whose standards and how can we keep up with these quality standards over time? Quality separates a business from its competitors. That extra attempt to serve an excellent product or service will put a business at the forefront…

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has busted a cartel of illegal importation of controlled pharmaceutical products. NAFDAC, in a statement issued yesterday by its Director-General, Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, said its operatives discovered 187 cartons of assorted 120mg, 200mg and 225mg tramadol on September 14, 2018. She said the operatives…

A blood pressure drug recalled worldwide amid fears it could cause cancer does not increase the risk of the disease in the short run. Valsartan, which can be prescribed under the brand name Diovan, was recalled in 22 countries, including the United States (U.S.) and United Kingdom (U.K.), in July. A change in manufacturing in…

When you get to age 70, as I did recently, you realise that it is not easy to be old. You can still carry yourself with admirable grace but not with much vigour. You are no longer able to go up the stairs in a lunatic flight as you used to do when you were…

Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Innocent Vakkai, has said that financing and essential drugs management will go a long way in ensuring effective health performance in the state and the country at large. The commissioner, who spoke at a four-day training in Jalingo, stated that the duo are panacea to rapid growth of the…

Over 700 residents of Okunola community in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos have received free medical screening, consultation and drugs. They were screened for diabetes, hypertension, blood sugar, malaria and typhoid at a free medical outreach tagged: ‘Project Smile’, which was organised by Junior Chambers International (JCI) Lagos City. According to the president, Toyin…

Every youth has the mental capacity to learn, grow, thrive and flourish. The reality is that many of them have been stalled emotionally and psychologically over the years by negative situations and bad experiences. One of my cardinal purposes in life is to help at-risk youths overcome their limiting behaviour and live a fulfilling and…

The Ministry of Sports yesterday suspended Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) Vice President, Mr. Olamide George from all athletics related activities pending completion of its investigation into allegations of drugs violation labeled against him. Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung will today inaugurate a five-man committee to investigate the allegations of doping rules violation and improper conduct…

For the first time in 30 years, a new type of antibiotic has been unearthed, buried in dirt. Experiments suggest the antibiotic family, known as malacidins, can kill several 'superbugs', including the notoriously difficult-to-treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The antibiotics' unique approach to killing pathogens targets bacteria's cell walls, which did not cause drug resistance…