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By Henry Uche
Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) says drug abuse among children and youths and its devastating consequences in the country is giving them concern. They called on parents and government to act decisively to prevent substance abuse amongst to enhance healthy lives of the future generation of Nigerians.
In communiqué issued at the end of its 16th Biennial conference held at Uyi Grand Suites and Event Centre, Edo State and signed by its National Chairman, Pharm Scholastica Lan and National Secretary, Pharm Ngozi Egboh, respectively, the group said it was poised to executive initiatives in tandem with the 2030 sustainable development goals across the various dimensions of health practice.
With the theme: “Pharmacy: Making healthcare impact in tandem with 2030 sustainable development goals,” they called for proactive measures by pharmacists to ensure controlled drugs are kept out of reach of children and street corners, maintaining that ethical drug distribution of Central Nervous System stimulants and other substances of abuse will go a long way in curbing illicit access.
More so, they reiterated an earlier call to government to ensure full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDGs) to enable pharmacists fulfill their roles in this implementation.
“We called on Lady Pharmacists and indeed all pharmacists to embrace technological advancements to harness new opportunities for novel practice models for improved health outcomes for the health seeking populations.
“We equally call on government to provide an enabling environment to ensure pharmacists contribute to promoting rational use of drugs, manage chronic diseases, and support public health initiatives within the nation’s healthcare delivery system in a manner that will assure positive recognition of these contributions nationwide.”
ALPs reiterated the vital role pharmacists play in optimizing medication use to improve patient health, a pivotal role in advancing goal 3 of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and called on all pharmacists especially Lady Pharmacists to continue to deliver exemplary patient care by ensuring access to essential medicines, providing preventive health services, managing chronic diseases, combating infectious diseases, promoting mental health, supporting emergency preparedness, and advocating health policy to assure qualitative health outcomes and healthy lives for the Nigerian populace.
They charged themselves to follow their passion, show innovation and specialise in diverse areas of Pharmaceutical practice. Encouraged to embrace technology and digital applications as they develop new practice areas with emphasis on documentation of patient care activities, patient data and pharmaceutical care, they called on government and all relevant stakeholders to promote specialization in Pharmacy practice by putting in place required policies and procedures to be met by those ready to tow the path.
“Mentorship is key. We called on all Lady Pharmacists to embrace the transformative power of mentorship in shaping the future of the profession.
“On ALPs Project ’91, we are encouraged to enhance our knowledge and skills about medicinal plants and apply them to patient care. We call on state chapters to domesticate Project ’91 in their state by establishing standardized medicinal plant gardens to serve as a source of properly cultivated and harvested herbal products for the state, while the state governments also support this laudable initiative.”
