– As Oyo ACPN appoints Sanusi grand patron
The National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu, has lent his voice to the call on pharmacists across the country to make themselves relevant in the nation’s affairs, by participating actively in politics.
According to the ACPN boss, joining politics is one way of ensuring that more policies favour the pharmaceutical sector, especially in the new political dispensation.
Oladigbolu gave the charge at the recent investiture of the Ibadan-based philanthropist and Chief Executive Officer, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Engr Dotun Sanusi, as the grand patron of ACPN, Oyo State, at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts Hall, Akanran Road, Ibadan.
He noted that unless pharmacists come out of their shells and participate actively in politics, just as their colleagues in other health professions, they would not be able to champion a better health sector.
“Pharmacists are passionate people; we are very much interested in what goes on in our community. Politicians may not necessarily understand as much as healthcare providers; so, the more pharmacists we have in the political space, the more we are able to advocate for the health sector for the benefit of mankind,” he said.
The ACPN chairman also decried the poor understanding of the role of pharmacists in the community, saying the pharmacy profession is not just about drug dispensing but also about manufacturing and marketing, as well as education on the use of drugs, dosage, possible drug-drug interactions to avoid, research into new drugs, and counselling on common diseases in the community.
Also speaking at the event, the ACPN chairman in the state, Pharm. Adebayo Gbadamosi, disclosed that the selection of Sanusi as the grand patron of the association was due to his investment in human capacity and community development, saying these are similar to the aspirations of pharmacists. .
Gbadamosi also concurred that the political consciousness of pharmacists needed to be reawakened, saying the time to start is now.
The ACPN leader further revealed that the association, in its quest to continue to deliver quality healthcare services to the citizens of Oyo State, was collaborating with well-meaning people with interests in community development as partners, so as to further deliver the benefits of community pharmacy to the people at the grassroots.
He added that, while searching for a befitting grand patron, the association found Sanusi to be a unique personality with a deep interest in developing his people at the grassroots.
“This community man always seeks advancement and support for the less-privileged and the downtrodden; he advocates for the physically challenged and is a philanthropist,” Gbadamosi enthused.
He also seized the opportunity to task the Federal Government to stem the exodus of health professionals from the country, saying it is getting challenging to have young pharmacists supervise community pharmacies in the country.
Speaking in the same vein, Pharm. Azeez Gbolagade, managing director, Ajoke Pharmacy Limited, said it is time for pharmacists to take the bull by the horn by participating in politics, stressing that the appointment of the new grand patron was a step towards achieving it.
In his remarks, Chief Sanusi thanked ACPN-Oyo for making him the grand patron and promised to use his personal network to advocate for pharmacists and ensure the profession is accorded its due recognition in the state.
He said he was particularly delighted to accept the honour because ACPN is focused on the grassroots, which is always dear to him.
The investiture was flagged off by a medical outreach that benefitted 500 indigenes of the Ilaji Community, in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, who accessed essential health services and medications, including mass deworming and screening for high blood pressure, malaria, hepatitis and HIV.
Other dignitaries at the event included Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye, chairman, PSN, Oyo State; Pharm. Abiodun Gbadamosi, immediate past chairman, ACPN Oyo State; Pharm. (Mrs) Hamida Atere Akeukere, secretary; Pharm. Chief Hamidu Oluyedun; Pharm. Abiodun Ajibade, and Pharm. Taofik Odukoya a
