Pharm. Sani Bello, the newly appointed executive secretary/CEO of Zamfara State Drugs and Consumables Supply Chain Management Agency, has bemoaned the spate of substance abuse in the state, as he pledged to collaborate with sister agencies to rid the state of the menace.
Bello, who spoke with Pharmanewsonline in an exclusive interview, on his new appointment, said the agency is responsible for procurement, warehousing, distribution of drugs and other medical consumables including laboratory and radiology, for all health institutions in the state.
He noted that his agency has no control of substance abuse management, which is the primary responsibility of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), but he is poised to work with them as it may be necessary, to reduce the burden of substance abuse in the state.
“Issues relating to substance abuse control are out of our mandate, but domiciled with NDLEA and another state government agency. The two have custody of the statistical data.
“However, the prevalence of substance abuse in the state is huge and worrisome”, he disclosed.
Pharm. Bello further explained his roles as the CEO of the agency and how he plans to make affordable drugs available to all health institutions in the state, for patients best outcomes.
“My position is that of a Chief Executive Officer, that is, I am responsible for the leadership of the agency, as the chief accounting officer. The management is under the general direction of a board that is chaired by pharmacist Ishaq Anka, PSN Zamfara State chairman.
“Based on our mandate, we don't have control of management of substance abuse, as we are mainly concerned with public health system.
“However we can only contribute by ensuring that all drugs amenable to abuse are properly used in public health institutions in the state.
“Our plan is to procure and guarantee availability of cheapest, efficacious drugs including antihypertensive and diabetic drugs in all our health facilities”, he affirmed.
