Chioma Umeha
The National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commended Pharmacist Ahmed Yakasai,
immediate past President of
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) for his contributions especially in the
fight against drug abuse and substandard regulated products.
Prof. Moji C. Adeyeye, the Director General,
NAFDAC represented by Pharm. Mohammed Shaba, the Head of NAFDAC, Kano office, penultimate
weekend, gave him special NAFDAC recognition.
The NAFDAC award came on the heels of his recognition by His Royal Highness, Igwe
Oranu Chris Chidume Eze Ana-Ukwu, Eze Igulube of Omor Kingdom for his selfless
services to humanity via his numerous contributions to healthcare, public
health development and capacity building in pharmacy.
He conferred on him the chieftaincy title of
Nwanne Di N’mba of Omor Kingdom” in Anambra State on Thursday, December 13,
2018 in the presence of His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of
Onitsha.
Other
eminent dignataries who witnessed the event are, His Royal Majesty, Igwe
Pharm Alex U. Onyido, Eze Ogidi; Pharm Onyeka Onyeibor, GMD, Miral Pharma Ltd;
Madam Tonia Uduimoh of Oando and Mr. Okechukwu Okafor of Miral.
In appreciation of all these recognitions by
well-meaning Nigerians and professionals alike,
Yakasai pledged to spend the rest part of his life helping to reduce the
problem of fake drugs and indeed drug abuse.
The immediate past PSN boss giving explanation for his pledge said; “This idea came from in-depth
discussion with Dr. Ifeanyi Okechukwu and Dr. Chimezie Anyakora of United
States Pharmacopeia (USP) and with my little knowledge of Nigerian and global
issues on Substandard and falsified products (Fake) and consequences of Drug
Abuse and again as former National Deputy President of Nigerian Institute of
Substance Abuse (NISA).
“It hurts to see this happening around us and
decided to come up with “Safe Medicines Foundation,” he said.
Yakasai elaborated that the aims and objectives of
the Foundation to be launched in January 2019 by the grace of God are to become
the trusted go-to resource that can help consumers, healthcare professionals,
law enforcement agencies, policy makers and the government navigate the
increasingly complex and dangerous world of substandard and falsified (fake)
medicines.
The Foundation will also build strong alliance
with all stakeholders engaged in the medicines supply chain; to raise public
awareness of the harms to consumer safety caused by substandard and falsified
(fake) medicines.
It will further improve the collaboration between
healthcare practitioners and other stakeholders in the battle against
substandard and falsified (fake) medicines.
Others are to adopt modern technology to empower
and enable African consumers to access safe medicines as patients fundamental
right to safety and informed choice; to ensure that consumer safety prevails as
the priority by engaging with all stakeholders in an equitable manner, with a
focus on the poor and vulnerable consumers in Africa; to advocate for policies
and programmes that will improve patient safety; to promote rational
prescribing and rational use of medicines.
They also include educating the public on the
harmful outcomes of drug abuse; promoting and supporting whistle-blowing on the
sources of these illicit activities.
