Chioma Umeha
I congratulate you on your successful hosting of
the 38th Annual National Conference of the ACPN. Could you briefly tell us
something about the conference?
It gives me great joy to welcome all members to
the proceedings of the 38th Annual National Conference of the foremost
technical group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). Over time, we
have strived to evolve as the flagship and conscience of the Pharmacy
profession in Nigeria. I believe we have kept faith with this posture by
upholding and consolidating the gains of past leaders of the ACPN (formerly,
Nigerian Association of General Practice Pharmacist (NAGPP).
We shall exploit this discourse to critically
evaluate some contemporary subject matters in the health sector and more
specifically Pharmacy practice.
Briefly, what are the issues?
Redressing the Menace of Drug Abuse and Misuse in
Nigeria is one. The ACPN and other major blocs as well as interest groups have
taken the lead in bringing the challenges of drug abuse and misuse to front
burners in the last few months to encourage government at all levels and
critical stakeholders appreciate the immensity of the aberration that confronts
us as a people. The social menace which is boosted by challenges of
unemployment and under-employment of youths and even the elderly deserves more
serious handling if we shall not be held responsible for raising a new
generation of drug addicts. The ACPN therefore finds it necessary once again to
call on the National Assembly to see an urgent need to amend the NDLEA Act to
give room for more professional engagement of registered Pharmacists in the day
to day management of this very sensitive drug regulatory agency.
Specifically, the NDLEA must be structured to have
a Directorate of Consumer Enlightenment and Protection which must be headed by
a registered Pharmacist because of his widely acclaimed expertise as drug
expert. This directorate will be activated to champion unprecedented advocacy
in consumerism with the ultimate advantage of generating a resolve to shun drug
abuse by our teeming youths and other vulnerable groups in larger society.
It is apparent that we contend with huge numbers
of chronic drug abusers in the country at the moment. The NDLEA enabling Act of
Parliament must therefore be tinkered with to establish Rehabilitation centres
preferably along the lines of the six geo-political zones in the country. We
advocate that citizens must enjoy a privilege of being taken care of by the
state in grave moments like this which if poorly managed completely jeopardises
their destinies.
What is your take on NAFDAC’s review of drug
registration tariffs and related matters?
One of the most topical issues in the media
remains reference to the possibility of an imminent hike in drug prices which
might be as high as 100 percent. The PSN Lagos State branch in particular
raised the issue at a Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Roundtable where
hindrances to running smooth healthcare businesses were evaluated. It is
important to appreciate the immediate response of the Governing Council of
NAFDAC which suspended the 350 percent raise in the registration of drugs and
other regulated products within the purview of NAFDAC. The ACPN believes the
NAFDAC Secretariat continues to march on the right path in setting an agenda of
excellence in the totality of regulatory process and controls. This success
story however can only be boosted when critical stakeholders are on the same
page with NAFDAC in the formulation and execution of policies.
The Governing Council of NAFDAC has called for
stakeholders’ engagement in the review of drug registration tariffs which is a
step in the right direction. We at ACPN strongly urge NAFDAC to make these
consultations all-encompassing as usual to include the relevant technical
groups of the PSN and of course the PSN as umbrella template for all
practitioners of goodwill. This is the time to decisively come to terms of
settlement with regards to service and orphan drugs which continue to unsettle
a vast majority of ACPN members and those who seek their unavoidable services
for wellness. The ACPN proposes that the committee of stakeholders which will
be party to reviewing tariffs be made a Standing Committee of the
profession/players, this logically will reduce the recurrence of stress
junctions in our affairs.
Could you give an update on Presidential Assent of
the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Bill 2017?
History will never forget the sacrificial closure
of our premises on the May 7, 2019 to protest the delay in signing the much
anticipated Pharmacy Council Bill 2017 which was, as at the time, in the
“Bermuda Triangle”. For the first time in history of Nigeria, the Community
Pharmacies laid down their tools to speak out for Nigerians. The level of
compliance all over the federation, the importance ascribed to it and the
seriousness with which ACPN members, including elders, enrolled to implement
the resolution of NEC, made one feel nostalgic.
Although the bill is yet to be signed by President
Muhammadu Buhari the good news is that the bill has been found, kudos to the
chairman of the occasion, Gen. Buba Marwa, for his unrelenting effort in favour
of the bill.
Since the commencement of the second term of our
dear President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on May 29, 2019 we have
observed that a number of bills from the eighth National Assembly have
continued to receive Presidential assent. This is certainly good for the
country particularly because we do not need to squander our lean resources on
development that would ameliorate our cycle of un-productivity in many regards.
The value chain of drug distribution network is in
complete tatters particularly because of the unresolved challenges of fake
drugs and drug abuse which continue to impose very substantial morbidity and
mortality on consumers of health.
Some of the inherent benefit package of the PCN
Bill just for the sake of emphasis in summary is that it redresses poor
regulatory control in the affairs of practitioners and the facilities they run
by giving specific powers to authorisation to enforce to PCN and its
pharmaceutical inspectors.
Second is the streamlining and giving due
recognition to all cadres of practitioners within the ambit of PCN. The
Satellite Pharmacy concept has the potential of boosting Good Pharmacy Practice
(GPP) as Registered Pharmacists who have defined practice experience can offer
services to consumers through professional linkages.
Third, the PCN Bill takes cognizance of global
best practices by empowering the pharmacy workforce from primary care to
tertiary care level. This will help to stem the tide of drug abuse and faking
because drug stocks would gradually become the prerogative of trained hands.
The PCN Bill remains a highly sought after
treasure that opens all doors of restriction that hitherto confined pharmacy
practice to the back doors of monumental failure. We therefore encourage
President Muhammadu Buhari to give assent to the PCN Bill in the ultimate
public interest.
What are your plans for ACPN projects and the
future of Community Pharmacy Practice?
The dream of every Community Pharmacist is to have
a Pharmacy that leaps with age; fortified against drought and independent of
the owner. As this dream comes to fruition, others emerge, especially that of
sustainability of this going concern in the event of the owner’s demise; what
happens when life happens, as it certainly will.
When we took off about one year ago we decided on
the need for the first ever Community Pharmacy Summit in pursuance of our
Trans-generational Community Pharmacy agenda. I am proud to report that we have
copies of the proceedings of that very successful summit for our members and
indeed posterity at this conference. We have put up requisite structures
including Committees to drive the various resolutions at the ACPN Summit 2018.
In the months ahead in apocalyptic terms we shall
aspire to deliver in the reflected areas which are not limited to the
following; A labelling initiative for Community Pharmacists; Access to genuine
drugs as a right of the Nigerian citizens and Regularisation of drug
distribution channels.
