By Doris Obinna
President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ayuba Tanko, has called for immediate action on the implementation of the Consultant Cadre for pharmacists and the reconstitution of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
He made these remarks during his inaugural address at the inauguration PSN and the Investiture of New Fellows in Abuja.
He highlighted the challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector, including brain drain, negative health indices, and inefficiencies in service delivery. He expressed concern that despite the National Council on Establishment’s (NCE) approval of the Consultant Cadre in 2011 and its reinforcement in 2021, many Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) have refused to implement it.
He lamented that even after the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHSOF) finalized the establishment approval in 2024, less than 15 per cent of FHIs have appointed Consultant Pharmacists, a situation he described as a deliberate attempt to frustrate progress.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to enforce its circular, warning Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and CEOs of FHIs who refuse to comply. He also urged state governments, particularly Lagos State, to fully implement the cadre, noting that despite its approval in 2018 under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, it has remained stalled.
Tanko also raised concerns about the growing menace of fake drugs, citing the recent closure of drug markets in Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha. He emphasized the critical role of PCN and NAFDAC in regulating drug distribution but noted that the PCN Governing Council remains unconstituted, hindering enforcement.
“The absence of a lawfully constituted PCN means there is no full enforcement of regulations, no accreditation of training facilities, and no implementation of disciplinary measures,” he stated.
He urged the FMoH to inaugurate the PCN Governing Council immediately to collaborate with NAFDAC in ensuring that genuine pharmaceutical dealers relocate from open drug markets to Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) as part of efforts to curb fake drug distribution.
“We assure the Federal Government and the Nigerian public that we will uphold global best practices in pharmacy to preserve lives and protect public health,” he pledged.
Expressing disappointment in the reportage, the PCN demanded an immediate retraction of the misleading headline and a public apology from the television station. It also called on the media to adhere to ethical journalism standards, particularly when reporting on matters of public health.
The council reassured Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring safe and effective pharmaceutical services while continuing its collaborative efforts with NAFDAC and other stakeholders to protect public health.