By Doris Obinna
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos Chapter, at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) focused on improving drug distribution enforcement and addressing the welfare of non-physician health workers in the state.
Chairman, PSN Lagos, Babayemi Oyekunle, emphasised the need for urgent regulatory reforms, particularly in Open Drug Markets (ODMs), to combat the persistent circulation of fake and substandard drugs in Nigeria.
In his address, Oyekunle referenced studies conducted as far back as 1988 and 1998, which exposed high rates of counterfeit drugs, with nearly 50 per cent of fake drugs traced to ODMs and over 12 per cent leading to fatalities. Despite multiple regulatory efforts over the years, he noted that fake and unwholesome medicines remain a major concern in Nigeria. He called for a renewed commitment to eradicating the illegal drug trade and ensuring that pharmaceutical products are ethically distributed in a well-regulated environment.
The PSN Chairman commended the recent collaborations between the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), particularly the closure of the Sabon-Geri Drug Market in Kano following the launch of the first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Nigeria.
He emphasised that CWCs are crucial for replacing unregulated drug markets and urged the federal government to accelerate the establishment of similar facilities in Lagos, Onitsha, Aba, Borno, Oyo, and Enugu, which were approved as far back as 2018. He proposed that affected traders in sealed markets should sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PCN and NAFDAC, committing to relocate to designate CWCs once completed.
Oyekunle further called on President Bola Tinubu to set up a presidential committee on the pharmaceutical sector to address the ongoing challenges in drug regulation and enforcement. He outlined key priorities for the proposed committee, including strengthening the PCN-NAFDAC collaboration, reviewing and enacting new pharmacy laws, and fast-tracking the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).
He also urged the government to activate the long-delayed Executive Order on local pharmaceutical manufacturing, which is essential for achieving drug security and reducing dependency on imports.
Expressing concerns about the lack of a functional PCN Chairman, Oyekunle accused the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) of pushing an agenda to establish a National Health Facility Regulating Agency that would take over the responsibilities of 12 out of 13 professional regulatory bodies in the health sector, leaving out only the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. He warned that such a move would weaken pharmacy regulation and disrupt ongoing reforms in the industry.
On the welfare of health workers, the PSN Chairman commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for approving the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for pharmacists and other non-physician health professionals, bringing it in line with the recently adjusted CONMESS for doctors.
He acknowledged the prompt payment of the first tranche of the salary adjustment, with the second instalment expected soon, which has boosted the confidence of health professionals in Lagos State.
He urged the state government to fully implement all outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and other labour unions in the health sector. He also expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for correcting an oversight in the composition of the Hospitals Service Commission (HSC) board, which previously did not include a pharmacist as required by law.
He assured that the pharmacist representative on the board would ensure strict oversight of the drug supply chain, prioritising the availability of high-quality medicines in state hospitals.
Oyekunle concluded by encouraging members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter) to remain proactive in advancing the profession. He assured the state government that pharmacists nominated for key appointments in various agencies would contribute significantly to healthcare service delivery.
He reaffirmed the commitment of PSN Lagos to ensuring ethical drug distribution, regulatory excellence, and improved welfare for health workers, positioning the pharmaceutical sector for sustainable growth in Nigeria.