By Pharm. Nelson Okwona

 The initial title of this article was “Endearing African Innovation: The Impossible is Possible”, for want of space, we have chosen the catch phrase above.

The phrase, “the impossible is possible” was meant to highlight my conviction and present disposition that Africa is ready and the time is now. We are ready for innovation, for break-through research, for development and for value creation. Against the backdrop of a dysfunctional system and an apathetic populace, Africa is indeed ready.

There are many reasons for this optimistic posture, my sojourn in the well-trodden pathof research and development in Nigeria is not a long one but has been quite revealing. It is said that ignorance breeds a certain level of optimism that is annoying, so I wish to state that my optimism is not borne from ignorance but rather from stark realism.

I believe my journey began with meeting Dr. Hadiza Nuhu, as a student at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. She is a noble and dedicated lecturer with unparalleled commitment to herbal product development. From her, I learnt first-hand that the hurdles against product development from indigenous raw materials are enormous and that a certain level of commitment was required. Her work with Herb 25, an antimalarial herbal, product left a permanent impression on me. It left the impression that some things are worth doing and that responsibility is chosen.

The question then was how?  How many individuals are willing and capable of making such commitments to pharmaceutical research and development? It was a commitment that is not sufficiently attractive when one weighs the risks and the opportunity costs of doing so, the level of intellectual, emotional and financial commitments required were also daunting.The decision to join the ranks of individuals that would commit to research development and management was not a hasty one, it was one born from a certain knowing that this is the right thing to do. It certainly feels right to be the difference, though not necessarily easy.

Years later, on graduation from pharmacy school and after one year at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, certain things became rather obvious– thatwe have the technical capacity, the human resource and the will to develop effective products from indigenous research. What we needed was a very good strategy, a strategy that would integrate the stakeholders in a win-win manner for a sufficient duration of time.

We needed to set up a chemical reaction, a reaction that was self-sustaining, one in which the products of the reaction could be taken away to allow for new ones, some catalysts that would reduce the barriers to change and ensure that useful outcomes emerge – outcomes whose demand must be sustained so as to achieve a self-sustaining reaction.

This strategy would channel the flexibility and the means of the private sector and the subsidised technical capacity of public research organisations. By public research organisations, I am referring to institutions like the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and universities. The strategy would rely on the persistent actions of certain individuals that could sustain the passion for value creation.

Prof. Ramesh Pandey exemplifies the need for such individuals, especially bio-entrepreneurs who understand the language of research and industry. His role as the CEO of Xechem in NIPRD’s work with NICOSAN demonstrates the need for a multidisciplinary approach to research and development. I have met enough gallant researchers in Nigeria who have great potential products sitting on their shelves, as research publications. Sincerely, they have done great work. Given the circumstances, the missing link lies in aligning their interests with those of the industry. Though this may not be a total alignment, most research breakthroughs are borne from a deliberate alignment of interests.

I have written extensively on this and other issues in my book, “The Heart and Art of Innovation”. Other considerations like intellectual property protection and the development of robust financial structures underlie the need for a good team for any worthwhile development project to be successful.

I was very privileged to have met Prof. Charles Wambebe, the former Director General of NIPRD. His passion and commitment demonstrates that only a certain level of dogged commitment would create the results we desire.

I am optimistic because such commitment now exists and in sufficient quantity in the research, industry and public sector organisations. The journey may be rough and tough but the impossible is indeed possible. Africa can develop the cure for HIV and for malaria. It is not because we would suddenly achieve overwhelming technological advancement, though this is not impossible too, but rather because we have committed to a deliberate search – because certain men and women would continue to advance the cause of value creation, for innovation and for indigenous research.

I have always believed that discovery needs not be complex. Drugs like Quinine, the Fluoro Quinolones, Metformin, Digoxin and Paracetamol are mainstay that therapies could have been developed by indigenous researchers. The development of Nicosan demonstrates this sufficiently – thatthough the gifts of God are not always too apparent, as they are often hidden and do demand certain research commitments, the search is such that they are within the means of the seeker. The solutions can and would be found by us.

The rate of uptake of indigenous research by the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry has not been satisfactory and this has been attributed to many reasons, one of which is their perceived immaturity – most players in the Nigerian industry are content to market and produce generics. Well, not all are immature; some key industry leaders, some of whom I have met in person are very much keen on the infusion of indigenous derived pharmaceutical products. In some quarters, this has become a matter of necessity. These industry players have the motivation and the means to make things happen.

A new project, the West African Pharmaceutical Innovation Project (WAPIP) seeks to harness these optimisms and potentials to create a pool of indigenous research capacity in Nigeria and beyond.

WAPIP is a joint venture private sector driven initiative that is geared towards the development of active and effective linkages between the pharmaceutical industry and research organisations within the West African region. One of the goals of this project is to drive pharmaceutical research-industry partnerships in West Africa, via an issue based approach that will create ownership for Innovation among stakeholders and provide sufficient guidelines and motivation to engage in the much needed collaborative arrangements required for product development.

Led by champions of change in the pharmaceutical industry comprising leaders of industry, public research organisations, media, management consultants and authorities in intellectual property acquisition and commercialisation; this catalyst wouldchampion a project that would create a nexus for pharmaceutical development management and promotion.

It is from such an understanding and participation that I bear this overwhelming conviction that the impossible is indeed possible. This understanding that synergy is key; that passion exists; that potentials abound; that there are men who will not give up; that there are immense opportunities; that the challenges are not obstacles and that the whole is more than the sum of the individual parts; this understanding is that with the right mix of collaboration we could indeed create a miracle.

Thank you.

Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, PSN president and Pharm. Azubike Okwor, immediate past president of PSN, during the presidential inauguration ceremony and investiture of new fellows of PSN, held at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, recently.

The fellowship ceremonies formed part of the inaugural rites for the induction of a new National President of the society, Mr. Olumide Akintayo which took place in Lagos, 25^th March, 2013.

The theme of this year’s inauguration is “Repositioning the Pharmacy Profession: The Roles of Fellows”

Nigerian healthcare professionals have been called upon to discard the spate of competition, confrontation and distrust in the health sector and embrace the spirit of collaboration, consultation and cooperation among one another in the interest of the health consuming public.

President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, who gave the remark weekend during his inaugural lecture at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos, lamented there was too much competition, confrontation and distrust in the health sector.

“Professions exist to serve Society, therefore our mission as pharmacists must address the needs of Society, our duty is to work and ensure that the added value we bring to healthcare and our potentials are taken into account and respected by policy makers and other health professionals. We note here that there is a lot of competition, confrontation and distrust in the health sector,” he declared

Recognising the position of pharmacists as experts in medicines, he said pharmacists have always been known as an accessible and trusted source of advice and treatment. “Today, our contribution to healthcare is developing in new ways to support patients in their use of medicines and as part of the clinical decision making across the range of ailments.

Further, the PSN President said the situation must give way for collaboration, consultation, cooperation in the interest of the health consuming public.

“We must open our hearts and minds to allow the team concept to rule our worlds in healthcare delivery. There is no doubt that the cost of fighting against disease and preserving health will continue to increase in spite of constant control and intervention.

There are manifold reasons and benefits for wishing to create a genuine cooperation between pharmacists and other healthcare providers. Pharmacists will therefore provide leadership to ensure unity among all the stakeholders in healthcare delivery.

Akintayo said in community pharmacy practice, practitioners will be encouraged to begin to exploit opportunities in maternal and child mortality, while hospital practice is stabilised.

“The feeling you get is that in Nigeria, we are loosing our sense of destiny. Nigeria is becoming Africa’s greatest contradiction while also the continent’s greatest hope and danger.My hope is that someday, even in my generation someone will emerge to harness the energy that makes Nigeria a potentially dynamic nation.

For effective health policies formulation, Rev Fr. Anselm Adodo OSB, the director of Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, has advised African governments to involve the private sectors and create a level playing ground for both conventional orthodox medicine practice and traditional herbal medicine. He said this during his recent visit to Ghana, on the invitation of the Ministry of Health, Ghana.

Fr. Adodo noted that the orthodox, conventional method of healing is not the only valid health system, adding that there are other ways of attaining health that are equally valid.

While welcoming Rev Fr. Adodo,Pharmacist Peter Arhin, the director of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health Ghana, disclosed that in the spirit of brotherly entrepreneurship, the Ghanaian authority urged both countries to put in placehealth policies that will encourage large scale production of herbal medicines. He added that since the practice ofherbal medicine is the same in Africa and what unites us together are the plants, it is therefore imperative that we cultivate our medicinal plants and do it in such a way that the world will benefit from what we are doing.

Pharm Arhin further identifiedthe need to recognise our herbal practitioners, as well as train them to produce refined herbal medicines. “It is also important that the research aspect of our traditional medicine be developed, while we ensure that the intellectual property rights of traditional healers are protected”.

Also at the event, which included the facility tours of specific herbal hospitals and institutions in Ghana, among others, the patron of the Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Ghana, and Director, Association for the Promotion of Traditional Medicine (PROMETRA), PharmacistAloka Dabra, said that “what orthodox medicine has failed to do, African herbal medicine is doing”.

While commending the role of Fr. Anselm Adodo in herbal medicine practice and publications in Africa and thepioneering role of Pax Herbals in herbal medicineresearch, packaging and manufacturing, Pharm Aloka revealed that herbal medicine is being integrated into the Ghana healthcare policy, backed with appropriate laws.

“As a result of this development, there are presently 18 government approved hospitals where herbal and alternative medicines arebeing practiced in Ghana. The consultants at the herbal clinics in these hospitals are trained at the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University with Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in herbal medicine. Meanwhile, Ghana presently has over 150,000 legally registered herbal practitioners”.

Pharm Aloka, who observed that over 66 universities are offering degrees up to PhD level in herbal medicine in China, with over200 patents, while similar progress is presently taking place in India, however  regretted thatthe whole of Africa has less than five patent rights.

The Ghanaian Traditional Medicine Practitioners Federation also played host to Rev. Fr Adodo and he used the opportunity to givethema motivational address on how to move the practice forward in Ghana. The practitioners therefore urged the management Pax Herbal to commence the importation of their products to Ghana for the health benefits of their people.

Other dignitaries at the eventinclude the former director of Traditional Medicine in Ghana, Osofo Pankama Quaram and Dr. Letica. A. Wiafe, the Municipal Director of health services, Ghana Health Services, among others.

 Following the recent breakthrough recorded in the cure of a baby born with HIV by scientists in the United States, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos branch has called for the modification of the discovery, stating that if the techniques will be extrapolated on adults, that the results might not be the same.

Speaking with Pharmanews in an exclusive interview in his office, chairman, Lagos State PSN, Pharm. Akintunde Obembe, hailed the researchers for the rigorous work and the accomplished feat. He said it is an improvement from the cases he had heard of so far, and also implored them to further research into the processes, so that in the nearest future, adult patients can be beneficiaries of such breakthroughs.

“But be that as it may, it is an improvement from what we can see, however, we still implore the scientists to further research this breakthrough, so that it can be extended to adults. I believe we still need to do some modification on this breakthrough,” he stated.

Also, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on Nigerian governments and relevant institution of health, particularly the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA), to invest more in research aimed at discovering a global cure for HIV/AIDS.

This was contained in a statement made available to news men by its chairman, Dr. Osahon Enabulele. The association praised the efforts of the research team responsible for the discovery of the possible “functional” cure for the pandemic, and called for the encouragement of similar research locally to enable Nigeria join the league of nations around the globe who are finding solutions to human difficulties.

NMA said it has already directed its research committee to study the findings of the US research team, with a view to repeating the same feat in Nigeria.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Medical Association has directed its Research committee as well as its HIV/AIDS Committee to deeply understudy the research finding with a view to replicating similar research studies in Nigeria, in collaboration with relevant research institutions, Universities and the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA)”.

Asked about his opinion, as regards the claims of Professor Isaiah Ibeh, dean of Basic Medical Sciences, University Of Benin, on a new drug he claims to cure HIV/AIDS, Obembe  said he monitored the incidence very well, and came to terms  with the Vice-Chancellor  for disapproving the claims, because it did not follow the scientific procedures for validating new findings.

He noted that the process the discoverer followed was not scientific enough; and that for any discovery to be generally accepted, it must follow the laid down procedures for verification. It is when all these processes have been followed holistically, that one can be sure of the claims of such discovery.

Obembe therefore urged all stakeholders in the health sector in Nigeria to throw their weight behind such noble achievements, by researching into the things that can improve the health of our people, which will thereafter lead to a healthy people and a healthy nation.

Also speaking on the issue of Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) project, he argued that the incidence of NAFDAC giving pharmaceutical companies an ultimatum to comply with the policy does not come into play, because the project is fraught with many logistics problems, which pharmaceutical companies have not been finding easy to deal with.

“Towards the end of year 2012, we were reliably informed that NAFDAC came out with a fiat that all pharmaceutical companies that are dealing in anti-malaria and antibiotics must key into this service with the time given to them expiring by the end of the year 2012 for anti-malaria, while those with antibiotics must comply before the end of March 2013”.

He further explained that any issue that has to do with drugs must painstakingly be addressed in the interest of the people, because more than 65 per cent of the citizens of the country attend clinics for malaria treatment.

“Being a common ailment, one would have expected the regulators to consider all that has to do with the availability, cost implication on the pocket of our people and all other associated difficulties that the manufacturers and importers of these medicines will face”.

The chairman has called on the government to intervene in the matter and instruct the regulatory agency involved to halt the process and substitute it with a better method of checking out fake products.

Technology is helping pharmacists, physicians, and other health care professionals emerge from the functional “silos” that make it difficult for them to communicate with each other, according to Michele Vilaret, Director of Telecommunications Standards for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

“Because miscommunications are dramatically reduced, the point of sale at retail pharmacies becomes a counseling rather than a sales event where pharmacists do what they do best: use their clinical knowledge to explain the particulars of the medication to the patient,” said Karla Anderson, a Managing Director for BearingPoint Life Sciences, one of the world’s largest management and technology consulting firms.

Networks are of course everywhere…

ICT tools get being invented day and night; no one needs to rush to a newspaper stand or the Internet to find out. The regular bolus of adverts alone, spread by manufacturers of devices, by all the means they can is enough for you to know that a new ICT tool is born. And sooner than it is released, it is actively distributed to all parts of the world.

In June 2005, my article: Networking Schools of Pharmacy was published by Pharmanews. The article gained prominence long after then and later became a whole chapter in my book: Pharmacy & Information Technology in the 21^st Century. However, what the modern world is teaching me now is that there are or there could be networks, not only in Nigeria, but other parts of the world. However, what matters is their affordability by institutions and individuals.

The Internet is everywhere across the globe. What matters are the prerequisites to it (e.g. computers) and the access to the Internet itself; all of which definitely come at some price.

In the advanced world, they have not only succeeded in networking schools but their entire endeavours of life. The prototype is excellent. I am glad too in Nigeria, we are in the process of networking everything, however the government needs to give more attention to important areas and the citizenry too must put their hearts into it, in order to make it part of the new life.

Networks Push for True Partnerships

The goal is to integrate the many different types of systems available to pharmacists, physicians, HMOs, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. This includes what many believe is the holy grail of health care technology: electronic health records. When integration occurs, all health care providers will have secure and transparent access to all the information they need to better serve patients. This is likely to have an enormous impact on pharmacists.

“Although all the pieces won’t be in place for some time, with the help of technology, pharmacists are finally becoming full-fledged members of the clinical patient support team,” said Barry P. Chaiken, Associate Chief Medical Officer for BearingPoint, which provides design and implementation of next-generation systems for health care organisations.

“[Pharmacists] possess extraordinary amounts of clinical knowledge,” remarked Chaiken. “They are bright, intelligent, and highly motivated and should be having a tremendous impact on the practice of health care. By embracing technology – as many of them are doing – their ability to become partners with other clinicians should easily be achievable.”

Pharmacists couldn’t agree more. “I didn’t go to pharmacy school to count to 100,” said Richard Ost, pharmacist and owner of the Philadelphia Pharmacy. He employs three pharmacists and fills 750 prescriptions a day, an astounding 292% over the national average, for 3,800 customers each month. Since he has a small staff, he relies on an automated pharmacy workflow system that makes it possible for him to handle his heavy volume. “The more that technology can take over basic operations and facilitate communications with other health care professionals, the better job I can do serving patients,” noted Ost.

Is this network coming to Nigeria?

ScriptPro, in collaboration with TeleManager Technologies, offers advanced functionality for the Refill TeleManager Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) through ScriptPro’s SP Central Workflow System. This product allows patients to access information about the status of their prescriptions and enables pharmacists to know in real time the status and location of every prescription.

With the newly integrated IVR/workflow product, patients can call the pharmacy and input a prescription number, to order a refill. In addition, patients can find out the status of a prescription on the phone (i.e., if the doctor has authorised the refill yet, or if the prescription is ready to be picked up). Pharmacists can view all prescription orders coming through the IVR and see their status on the SP Checkpoint or SP Station workflow screen. With the use of multimedia graphics, pharmacists can view, listen, enter data, or transcribe on the screen. Because SP Central logs all pharmacy calls during the past week, pharmacists can check the log to investigate any discrepancies. In an effort to optimise patient service, the enhanced IVR system will make outbound calls to remind patients to pick up or refill their prescription medications.

What Limits Nigeria?

The price of Internet is not as expensive as we think. Government is largely responsible for procurement of ICT devices in abundant quantities, mostly institutions of learning. However, today, private organisations and companies are making their own contribution for example: the MTN e-library.

Schools are important places and ought to be flooded with computers and ICT devices. In developed countries, they are no longer thinking of computers and internet in the learning environment, as even every single room in students’ hostels is equipped with computer and Internet.

The good score we have is that other endeavours, like school registration, application for employments, among others, are now done online. In general, Nigeria is only limited by lack of abundant tools to make us join the league of global village.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has directed that henceforth funds meant for the requirements of the Primary Health Care services be deducted at source from the monthly federation allocation meant for the FCT Area Councils.

The Minister gave this directive while meeting with the members of the Implementation Committee of the FCT Polio Immunization Exercise, Development Partners as well as stakeholders recently in Abuja.

Senator Mohammed said that this action has become necessary to underscore the importance of Routine Immunisation Exercise to all the nooks and crannies of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Minister remarked that the FCT Administration remains a practical example of good governance, as his administration has been prompt in releasing all funds from federation account allocated, including 10 percent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accruing to the FCTA to all the six Area Councils.

Senator Mohammed therefore wondered why the Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory would fail to meet all their statutory responsibilities, despite the magnanimity of the Administration to live up to its own responsibility.

His words: “We, as the FCT Administration, have given the FCT Area Councils all it takes, as required by the law, and therefore cannot accept failure in the area of primary health care services, which is central to the health of rural dwellers in their respective councils because we cannot continue to micro-manage the area councils.”

The Minister instructed that Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders must be carried along in all the processes of Routine Immunization Exercises in the territory.

He revealed that the issues and gaps noticed in polio eradication exercise will also be tabled at the subsequent meeting of G-7 Security Summit, which is an assembly of FCT and all its contiguous states, to find a practical way of nipping in the bud cases of poliomyelitis in the zone, due to migration of people around the zone.

While calling for serious advocacy and sensitisation amongst all stakeholders, Senator Mohammed appreciated the efforts of Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote, as well as other development partners, in contributing to the total eradication of this menace.

Considering the importance of Routine Immunisation Exercise, the Minister vowed that he would personally go to monitor and supervise the house-to-house immunization exercise, if invited.

Speaking earlier, the FCT Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, lauded the uncommon commitment of the FCT Minister and FCT Minister of State, Senator Bala Mohammed and Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, respectively for providing the political will to upscale health activities in the Federal Capital Territory.

Dr. Onakomaiya however pleaded with the Area Councils wake up to their responsibilities by contributing their quota as required statutorily.

The meeting was also attended by the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, representatives of World Bank, UNICEF, members of the Implementation Committee, as well as stakeholders.

Destructive criticism is one of the most harmful of all human behaviour. It lowers self-esteem, creates poor self-image, and undermines the individual’s performance in everything he or she attempts. Destructive criticism shakes the individual’s self-confidence so that he or she feels inferior, tenses up and makes mistakes whenever he or she attempts anything for which he or she has been criticised in the past. The individual may give up trying at all and simply avoid the area of endeavour altogether.

The average parent criticises his or her children as many as eight times for every time he or she praises them.  Parents criticise their children unthinkingly in an attempt to get them to improve their behaviour.  But exactly the opposite occurs. Because destructive criticism undermines thechild’s self-esteem and weakens his or her self-concept, effectiveness decreases rather than increases. The child’s performance gets worse, not better.

Destructive criticism makes the individual feel incompetent and inadequate. He or she feels angry and defensive and wants to strike back or escape. Performance nosedives. All sorts of negative consequences occur. Especially, the relationship between the parent and child deteriorates.

Children who are criticised for their schoolwork soon develop a negative association between schoolwork and how they feel about themselves. They begin to hate it and avoid it whenever possible. They see schoolwork as a source of pain and frustration. And because of the Laws of Attraction and Correspondence, they begin to associate with other children with the same attitudes.

Often people make the mistake of thinking they are giving “constructive criticism” when they are really just tearing the other person down and calling it “constructive” to rationalise their behaviour. True constructive criticism leaves the person feeling better and more capable of doing a better job in the future. If criticism doesn’t improve performance, by increasing the individual’s feeling of self-esteem and self-efficacy, then it has merely been a destructive act of self-expression carried out against someone who is not in a position to resist.

Destructive criticism lies at the root of many personality problems and of much hostility between individuals. It leaves a trail of broken spirits, demoralisation, anger, resentment, self-doubt and a host of negative emotions.

When children are criticised at an early age, they soon learn to criticise themselves. They run themselves down, sell themselvesshort and interpret their experiences in a negative way. They continually feel, “I’m not good enough,” no matter how hard they work or how well they do.

The whole purpose of criticism, if you must give it, is “performance improvement.” It is to help the other person to be better as a result. Constructive criticism is not done for revenge. It is not a vehicle to express your displeasure or anger. Its purpose is to help, not hurt, or you should refrain from using it at all.

Here are seven steps you can follow to ensure that what you are giving is “constructive feedback” rather than destructive criticism.

First, protect the individual’s self-esteem at all costs. Treat it like a balloon, with your words as potential needles. Be gentle. With my children, I always begin the process of correction with the words “I love you very much,” and then I go on to give them the feedback and guidance they require to be better.

Second, focus on the future, not the past. Don’t cry over spilled milk. Talk about ”What do we do from here?” Use words like “Next time, why don’t you … ”

Third, focus on the behaviour or the performance, not the person. Replace the word “you” with a description of the problem.

Instead of saying, “You are not selling enough,” instead say, “Your sales figures are below what we expect. What can we do to get them up?”

Fourth, use “I” messages to retain ownership of your feelings. Instead of saying, “You make me very angry,” instead say, “I feel very angry when you do that,” or, “I am not happy about this situation and I would like to discuss how we could change it.”

Fifth, get clear agreement on what is to change, and when, and by how much. Be specific as well as future-oriented and solution-oriented. Say things like, “In the future, it’s important that you keep accurate notes and double-check before you make shipments final.”

Sixth, offer to help. Ask, ”What can I do to help you in this situation?” Be prepared to show the person what to do and how to do it. As a parent, or if you are in a position of authority, one of your key jobs is to be a teacher. You can’t expect another to do something different without instructing that person how it is to be done.

Seventh, assume that the other person wants to do a good job and that, if he or she has done a poor job or made a mistake, it was not deliberate. The problem is limited skill, incomplete information or a misunderstanding of some kind.

Be calm, patient, supportive, sensitive, clear and constructive rather than angry or destructive. Build the person up rather than tearing him or her down. There’s probably no faster way for you to build self-esteem and self-efficacy in others than by immediately ceasing all destructive criticism. You will notice the difference at once in all your relationships.

 Rising from its 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Lagos State branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has passed a “vote of no confidence” on the chairman of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee (PIC) in the state, for what it described as inefficiency in the control and monitoring of illegal pharmaceutical outlets in the state.

In the same vein, the AGM has also recalled the antecedent of the head of the zonal office of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in Lagos, in undermining the activities of PIC, and hereby passed a vote of no confidence in her, as well as called for her immediate redeployment.

The resolution of the branch, which was contained in a six-point communiqué, was jointly signed by Pharm. Akintunde Obembe, chairman and Pharm. M. F. Odeyemi, Secretary.

The communiqué reads “The AGM appraised the activities of PIC in the State over a period of twenty (20) years, 1993 – 2013. And came to the conclusion that the periods: 1994 – 1996, 1999 – 2003 and 2004 – 2009 witnessed tremendous progress in the areas of inspection, monitoring and control of pharmaceutical premises”.

“However, the AGM noted with dismay that since the chairmanship of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee (PIC) was ceded to the State Ministry of Health in 2010, no reasonable effort has been made to monitor and control the preponderance of illegal pharmaceutical outlets in the State which are conservatively put at 200,000 outlets”.

“Consequent upon this development, the AGM hereby passed a vote of no confidence on the chairman of Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee (PIC).  In the same vein, AGM recalled the antecedent of the head of the Zonal Office of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in Lagos in undermining the activities of PIC and hereby passed a Vote of No Confidence in her.  AGM hereby called for her immediate redeployment”.

The communiqué further stated that the AGM has mandated the Executive Committee of the State branch to liaise with the national body of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to address the above situation, as a matter of national emergency, so as to forestall further degeneration of affairs, as whatever happens in the state could have a viral effect nationally.  The AGM also empowered the Executive Committee to seek other avenues in resolving this matter, including legal redress.

Expressing its disappointment at the extremely poor output of the performance of PCN in the last fifteen (15) months, the AGM has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR to reconstitute the Governing Council of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, to save pharmacy practice from being further denigrated.

“AGM lamented attempts to manipulate the appointment of a Registrar and imposed a regime of increased statutory fees through illegitimate and unlawful processes and declared that the absence of a legally constituted Governing Council for about seven (7) years now encourages the exploitation of practitioners as pharmacists continue to contend with a “Sole Administrator” who is not interested in a functional inspectorate system and this is detrimental to the public health interest”.

The body therefore urged pharmacists to key into the vision of a group insurance for all members by immediately paying the enabling subscription fees before the March 31, 2013 deadline prescribed by the National Council.  In the same spirit, the AGM called on members who are yet to conclude processes leading to the issuance of membership identification cards and certificates to expedite action.

Earlier on, the group had congratulated the national body on the successful hosting of the first national council meeting of the Society in the year at Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. And the AGM hereby aligned with the twelve-point communiqué issued at the end of the council meeting.

By Pharm. Nelson Okwonna

Society as we know it has thrived by the concerted efforts of individuals aimed at attaining the inner quest in man for certain heights of good and nobility. Man, across time and space, has pursued this quest for centuries old. He had overcome obstacles, engaged noble and ignoble means, created and destroyed civilisation and still seeks to attain to a certain place of fulfilment within himself.This man believes in something.

He believes in the nobility of his intentions, the dignity of his acts and the imperfections of his frame. His belief is not one borne out of an original intention but that of a discovery; a discovery of the necessity of faith. He is by nature compelled to believe in the essential worth of certain things and to make their fulfilment his ultimate aim. It is true across all civilisations, therefore, that one cannot do something well except one believes in it and that success is happiness and fulfilment attained by the deployment of our best efforts towards our best beliefs.

Science has not been unanimous in the description of the cause of man and hence, her beautiful dissertations cannot be trusted to define her course but to, at best, explain our view of it. In Africa, majority of us within our own sciencehave explained the cause and course of man — we believe in God as the first cause and believe this well; we believe in the existence of a reality other than us, which had designed and framed our universe and had, by this creation, defined our cause and course. We believe that this Reality had created the universe, as we know it and all that is therein.

Our belief is unique but not novel, though very religious and superstitious, i.e. we believe in spirits, in witches, in omens, demons and angels. We believe in black inferiority, in donor agencies and our helplessness. Despite these, we are not unlike the West, for they too believe, just that we believe in different things. We have believed in everything but in ourselves. We believe in our teachers but not in what is taught.

Africa was taught to write English but not communication. She was taught Algebra but not necessarily to think. Thinking and communication are essential nature of one’s humanity and we are very human. We needed not be taught these things because we knew them well. So, it was not reason that we were taught but rather several aspects of life within which we have not reasoned. Reason teaches that it is a failing to despise oneself because one was taught; one must value one’s teacher but not above the taught matter. The only teacher that is above all is the one who himself is the taught matter.

Europe didnot teach Africa only of European people, she taught her mathematics, foreign languages, logic, prose, governance and other things.She taught her what she knew of the universe, while expanding her knowledge and fill of what she knows of ours. Africa believed what was taught but made the mistake of not understanding that her teachers were, more or less, observers and students like herself. She forgot that it was about meditating more on the precepts than on bowing before the master.

There are precepts; they form the backbone of science and of successful governments. They are not made by man but discovered by man and men who have built by it were more successful than their peers. By this, I mean the precepts that made the kite and the aeroplane fly; that which lights our skies and our homes; that by which our submarine and the shark navigate the deep. There is wisdom in nature from which man has learned a great deal and, by so doing, invented our world. For invention is really a discovery – a discovery from nature, relationships and by sheer perception of the intents of reality.

Our focus was not on these precepts which actually are the laws of God seen in nature, for nature is His. Our focus was on the teachers who had taught us and, by so doing, we became poor imitators of the West; the only people ashamed of their accent. We became religious but not critical. Crude oil laden but not refiners, gold laden yet very poor.

We did not learn the rules of value creation. We did not learn that all materials of value are at their least economic value, until acted upon by an immaterial resource; that processing is the expansion factor in value creation.We did not learn that natural raw materials, at their least economic value, would deplete in value, if not acted upon by an immaterial resource or value system. We did not imbibe the principle that the value potential of every raw material or immaterial resource can be perpetually increased.

Because of these failings, we despised ourselves. We didnot recognise that the most important resource is us and our thoughts, our faith and our ability to develop new processes, products and management. Hence, we sold ourselves for a dime. A generation that strove to win the US lottery; by this we did not please God or ourselves, for His pleasure is indeed pleasurable to man. We did not learn the lesson of the ants.

We didnot learn, like the ants, that the failure of leadership is not enough excuse. We became sluggards who have explained away all our woes, unchallenged by our blindness, unfocused by it, only lost in religious fervour, denying that the greatest solution God had designed is us. To us the preacher cried:

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, (emphasis mine)” – Prov. 6:6-7

One of the best lessons from the ants is the lesson of self-leadership. We mustnot be in government to proffer solutions. Creating and proffering solutions is in itself leadership. An innovator must delist from the sluggard fraternity. He must rid himself of all excuses, as he realises, perhaps for the first time, that his obstacles demand innovative solutions, which he can proffer.

Now, what should the ant study teach us?

Wisdom, I believe. Now, this should be obvious because ant-study, like every scientific endeavour, can fetch you a PhD and not the necessary applicable wisdom; the difference is in the intentionality of the scientist. You see, Africa has studied the ants, but she was not intentional in her study. If she was, then she was not strategic enough.If she was, then she would have treasured wise execution over university degrees, prosperity against mere survival, petrol over crude oil, processing over raw material, collaboration over solo efforts.

You would love the ants. They have a local wisdom. They understand the cause of the anthill, and they’ve made its preservation the greatest aim. They know that local wisdom is borne of local research and local productivity, and the usefulness of local resources for the greater good of the locals (Africans). They understand that their labour is not only wisdom but also Godly.

Now, I have spoken of this African as if he were an individual with a specific self-hating disposition; as if he truly delights in his sorry state; as if he prays for more gloom, more importation of finished products and exportation of crude materials. I have spoken as if we pride ourselves in our corrupt statistics and of inept leadership. I have spoken as if our very failings are completely unique to us.Did I not notice the emerging dismemberment of the fabrics of society in North America, the volatility of the fabric of trade and the failings of corporate governance?

Charity begins at home; human failings are not alien to us, only of a different shade. For indeed, Africa has triumphed in many other things. For one, she has happy people and one of her largest nations could boast of the most evangelical church on earth.

The failing of trade seen in major economic hiccups in Europe and North America is to help us confirm that it is not the teacher that was beautiful and true but the taught material. The beauty of the teacher is a function of her practice of what she taught, or tried to teach. There is a difference between the body of knowledge and the harbinger of it…. “We hold these truths to be self-evident”… “Wehold…”

Truths are God given and are the right picture of reality; the grasp of it is innovation and the practice of it is life. Human failings are borne from the perversion of it and the practice of a perverted logic. Just as we could see in mutants, mutation might confer certain unique and even desirable characteristics, like an increase in proportion but it is either not good for the kind from which it was formed or that it is not of a perpetuating character. The duo of suitability for kind and perpetuity defines the unique characteristics of truth.

Humanity’s failing is from a perversion of truth and this failing is not African, Africa has her blindness but she must not excuse herself. She must make manifest her belief, her faith.

There is therefore this challenge;this call to nobility and truth; to virtue, if I must say, for us to rise beyond the shackles of our mind. To begin today, to not just exist, but to rather engage positively…God being our helper.

Treasury has lifted a freeze on 1,000 posts in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, with effect from next month.

This would see the recruitment of nurses to ease the workload in Zimbabwe’s health institutions, an official has said.

Health and Child Welfare acting secretary Dr Davis Dhlakama said the decision to lift the freeze was with effect from March.Dr Dhlakama said this while giving oral evidence before a Senate Thematic Committee on HIV/AIDS.

“We have a challenge of human resources because of job freeze.The Ministry of Finance has unfrozen 1,000 posts, as of March this year and it will give us further space,” said Dr Dhlakama.

He said the decision to export nurses was conceived after a realisation that they could not absorb them, owing to the job freeze directive by Treasury.

Tuberculosis (TB) is said to be a silent killer in the Upper East Region. The disease has claimed 154 lives in the Bolgatanga Municipality alone, between 2006 and 2012.

The period also recorded 1,397 cases. The Bolgatanga Municipal TB and HIV Coordinator, Mr. Williams Amankwa, made these revelations on a weekly health programme on A1 Radio recently.

According to him, TB cases often went up whenever HIV cases went up, because the humane system of the affected persons also went down. For instance, he said, when the Municipality topped the rest of the regional capitals in the HIV prevalent rate in 2011, TB cases also went up to 261, with 13 deaths.

Though 2011 recorded the highest number of cases, it also recorded 13 deaths, which was the lowest number of deaths, as compared with the death toll in other years.

Other years and their cases and death tolls included 2006: 181 cases, 24 deaths; 2007: 182 cases, 17 deaths; 2008: 169 cases, 35 deaths; 2010: 248 cases, 20 deaths and 2012: 212 cases, 16 deaths.

Dr. Samuel Aborah, Head of Public Health Unit at the Regional Hospital and TB Coordinator, also revealed that the hospital recorded 625 cases between 2010 and 2012, with 16 deaths.

The two observed that TB cases were high in the region, because there was still the high incidence of stigmatisation against persons who were diagnosed of TB. They also dismissed the assertion that TB was a curse.

They said the treatment of the disease was free of charge, and urged residents to report to the hospitals when they experienced prolonged cough, weight loss, and night fever, for TB tests to be conducted.

TB kills one and a half million people worldwide, mostly in developing countries. This year’s World TB Day fell on 24th February.

Lilongwe — Malawi is again experiencing a crisis in the delivery of essential medicines, with understaffed clinics and erratic drug supplies preventing many dangerously ill patients from accessing treatment.

Frequent drug shortages and stock-outs have plagued the country’s health system in recent years. According to a 2012 report by the UK charity Oxfam, only 9 percent of local health facilities (54 out of 585) had the full Essential Health Package list of drugs for treating 11 common diseases. Additionally, clinics were often out of basic antibiotics, HIV test kits and insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and in many facilities, stocks of vaccines were dangerously low. According to news reports, public hospitals had run out of 95 percent of essential medicines by the end of January.

In early February, President Joyce Banda met with health department officials and healthcare workers to address the crisis.

The situation was brought to light when doctors at Kamuzu Central Hospital in the capital, Lilongwe, wrote an open letter to Banda, calling for an urgent solution to the shortages, which included lack of intravenous fluids, antibiotics, syringes and plasters.

“We have been struggling to provide these supplies, using our private funding donated by friends and families, but we have come to realise that the situation, already dire, is not improving, and our current strategy is neither sufficient nor sustainable. In the meantime, we are experiencing the deaths of patients from treatable diseases (diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria), which is heart-breaking. Talking to our colleagues, the situation is the same in all public hospitals,” the letter said.

Kamuzu Central Hospital administrator, Naureed Alide, said the doctors decided to write the open letter to the president only after exhausting all other avenues. “There has not been any positive response befitting the current situation,” he said.

Tucked away about 20 metres from the Kampala-Masaka highway at Busega is Kityo Herbal Research Project, a haven for those who want to rid themselves of dental cavities and halitosis (bad breath).

Tracing Kityo’s clinic was no easy job, as he was new in the area and unfamiliar to many. In fact, one motorcyclist said he had heard that a witch-doctor had invaded the area.

When I finally traced the place, the diminutive Dr Kityo, as he prefers to be called, donning black socks, khaki trousers and pale white shirt loosely hanging over the trousers, welcomed me. However, I was supposed to remove my shoes. I felt a bit of indignation, as I looked at the floor dotted with ash, broom sticks and black seeds.

My stomach felt strange and my palms were clammy. Having the motorcyclist’s view stamped on my mind, I was terrified. Of course, it’s not really a fear of being in a shrine; it’s the view of what happens there – facelessvoices talking to me. My sense of security was screamingly absent.

Smoke and heat swirled around the room, as I made my way in. A charcoal stove kept aglow all the time for easier melting of a few grammes of ghee, one of the ingredients Kityo employs. Inside were two youthful clients that had issues with their teeth. I watched their treatment.

Kityo grabbed a small black pot and cleaned it with a few broom sticks and water to remove any contamination from the last user. He then dropped herbs into the pot before adding a hot piece of charcoal and the ghee. He quickly crowned the pot brim with a circular woven lid with a little opening, through which clients inhaled the odour.

The odour was choking. Throughout the procedure, coughing, spitting and squinting of teary eyes were highlights. The inhaling took 15-20 minutes until the fire died out. He uncovered the pot and, using a pair of hooked metal, removed a tiny brown or pale white substance that had collected at the bottom.

“This is the dirt from your teeth,” he told a client, urging her to go home and rest and call him later, to confirm whether her teeth had healed. The client, with a happy face but bloodshot eyes from the piercing smoke, parted with Shs 50,000 and started chewing on a green apple she had carried along.

Kityo said he has been at this job for 10 years and his medication caters for all age group.

Over 100 people with cleft lips are set to benefit from free reconstructive surgery to be conducted at the University Central Hospital of Kigali (CHUK).

The free surgical programme, which started on February 22, was organised by Operation Smile, a non-profit volunteer medical services organisation providing free reconstructive surgery.

A cleft lip is a malformation where the lip has not fused together and fully formed and looks like a gap in the upper lip, while a cleft palate is a hole in the roof of the mouth.

Out of every 1,000 babies born in the region, one is born with a cleft lip or palate, according to Kia Guarino, the Operation Smile Programmes Manager in Africa.Operation Smile will be operating on people with this deformity for the fourth time since 2010.

According to Guarino, more than 500 people found with cleft lips and palate were operated upon in 2010, when the organisation first came to Rwanda.

Currently, there’s no national data showing the status of this disease in Rwanda but Guarino said they are working together with the Ministry of Health to ascertain the number of people who have this deformity.

She added that Operation Smile team won’t only provide surgery but also provide basic life support training to Rwandan medics.

“So far, 256 local medical professionals have received this training, 10 medics have also been trained as trainers and others as Aesthesia Technicians. We want to build capacity, such that in the near future, many Rwandan medics will be in position to carry out these surgical procedures,” she said.

Dr Immaculate Kamanzi, the head of the dental surgery department at CHUK, explained that people are usually born with this disease and in most cases, the cause is unknown.

“Although most times the causes of this deformity are unknown, other causes could be pollution or genetic, for instance, if parents had the genes then their children are likely to suffer the same,” she said and urged parents to ensure proper feeding on balanced diet, as one of the preventive measures.

Researchers have discovered how a new class of antimalarial drugs kills the malaria parasite, showing that the drugs block a pump at the parasite surface, causing it to fill with salt.

In work conducted at the Research School of Biology (RSB) at The Australian National University (ANU), and published in the latest edition of Cell Host & Microbe, Dr Natalie Spillman showed that the malaria parasite has, at its surface, a protein that serves as a molecular salt pump, pushing sodium ions out of the parasite.

“It was within a week or two of our identification of the pump protein that a paper came out reporting the discovery of the spiroindolone antimalarials,” Dr Spillman said.

“The authors of the spiroindolone study identified the pump protein as being of particular interest, from the point of view of how the spiroindolones might work, but the exact mechanism was a mystery.

Linking up with members of the spiroindolone-development team in Singapore (Novartis Institutes for Tropical Diseases) and the US (Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation), Dr Spillman showed that spiroindolones block the parasite’s salt pump, causing the cell to fill rapidly with salt.

“We believe the spiroindolones kill the parasite by causing a salt overload,” Dr Spillman said.

RSB Director Professor Kiaran Kirk, the senior author on the study, says this vulnerability in the parasite’s physiology can be exploited to develop much needed new antimalarial drugs.

“The malaria parasite’s salt pump would seem to be an Achilles heel for the parasite, particularly vulnerable to attack. Knowing this, we can now look for other drugs that block this pump. We can also start to investigate how the parasite might be able to change the shape of the pump and thereby develop resistance to this class of drugs. Both of these aspects are going to be very important in our ongoing battle with the parasite.”

The spiroindolones are the first genuinely novel class of chemicals to be tested in malaria patients for over 20 years.

“We desperately need new antimalarials and the spiroindolones, now in advanced clinical trials, are looking extremely promising,” Professor Kirk said.

“Understanding how these compounds kill the parasite gives us a tremendous advantage.”

The malaria parasite is a single-celled organism that invades the red blood cells of its human host, killing more than a million people each year. It is becoming increasingly resistant to most of the antimalarial drugs that are currently in use.

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriaki Dickson,has lauded a pharmaceutical company, Swiss Biotab Limited, for donating anti-bacterial and water treatment drugs worth millions of naira.

The Governor, who was represented by his Health Commissioner, Dr. AnapurereAwoli, expressed gratitude to the company for identifying with the government and people of the state in their time of need. He added that the drugs will go a long way in cushioning the highly envisaged post flood demands of displaced persons in rural communities across the state.

While assuring the company of government’s desire to adequately distribute the drugs to various relief camps and communities where they will be needed, he renewed his call on organisations within and outside the country to support the relief efforts of government. He noted that the magnitude of the floods and anticipated problems were beyond the capacity of the state government alone.

Earlier, while presenting the drugs, the Regional Sales Manager, south-south of the company, Mr. Amadi Eric, described the donation as the company’s modest contribution to government efforts at mitigating the devastating effects of the flood.

He explained thatthe management of the company took the decision to come to the aid of the flood victims after receiving an extensive briefing on the plight of the people from the Chief Historian and Archivist of the State, Dr. TemeghaOlali, and calls by government for assistance.

Twelve doctors, including five neurosurgeons, have been trained on conducting hydrocephalus surgery in a cheaper and safer way. Hydrocephalus is a condition which results in accumulation of water in the brain and is usually seen through an enlarged head at birth or at a later stage.

Zimbabwe Association of Neurosurgeons secretary, Professor Kazadi Kalangu, said the training conducted by Spanish and Kenyan experts would see doctors diverging from implanting a shunt into the brain to drain excess water.

The surgeons would now use another procedure called neuroendoscopic ventriculostomy.

“A shunt is associated with many complications, such as infections, and is very expensive, compared to the new procedure,” Dr Kalangu said.He said it costs an average of US$4,000 to have the operation done in private institutions and about US$700 in Government hospitals.

However, with the advent of neuroendoscopic ventriculostomy, Dr Kalangu said, costs are anticipated to go down by more than half.The team operated on 10 cases, mainly children, during the training.

Mr Kalangu said his association, in partnership with the government, University of Zimbabwe and the Neurosurgical Education Development Foundation, have since secured equipment for use in future operations.He said Zimbabwean neurosurgeons will start using the technique.

“This procedure was only available at Parirenyatwa Hospital because that is where the machines were available and it was only accessible to a few patients because the machine was only one. It was not available, not even in private service,” he said.

Director of clinical services at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Mr Sydney Makarawo, said the new procedure would assist disadvantaged children to get treatment.

“We are going to be able to do this operation on more babies who cannot afford to buy a shunt, which costs US$250, as well as paying for the expensive operation. With this procedure,there is nothing implanted in the system,”he said.

A serious malaria outbreak in Manicaland province has claimed 10 lives, while more than 22,000 people were treated of the disease in one week alone. Statistics from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare shows that of the 22,480 cases reported last week, 3,546 and one death were children under the age of five years.

Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Douglas Mombeshora said a team of health experts had since been dispatched to the affected areas to contain the outbreak.

Minister Mombeshora said last week’s figures bring the total number of malaria cases to 62,587 and 32 deaths nationwide.

“We have already started recording an increase in malaria cases this year, following the incessant rains and some floods,” Minister Mombeshora said.

Last year, the country recorded 8,547 cases and 13 deaths of malaria, nationally. The outbreak in Manicaland has largely affected Buhera and Mutare districts but some deaths were also recorded in Mutoko and Harare. Zimbabwe has a long history of malaria outbreaks because of its high altitude.

Areas above 1,500m, such as Harare, are usually malaria free, while areas below 900m are normally a high risk to malaria, particularly in the north where the altitude is between 900 and 1500m.

In Zimbabwe, malaria endemic areas include Mutare, Gokwe, Mutoko, Dande, Chikombedzi, Mudzi, Hwange and Mt Darwin. After HIV and AIDS, malaria is the biggest killer of children under five in Zimbabwe and pregnant women, as well as newborns.

Malaria is increasingly becoming resistant to existing drugs. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of reported outbreaks, specifically linked to flooding. These include diarrhoeal outbreaks and malaria.

The sensitivity of the disease to certain environmental conditions suggests that climate change may influence the nature of the disease and the size and severity of outbreaks

Kenya marked the International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15, 2013 with hopes to raise awareness. The day was observed at a time when Kenya is grappling with an upsurge of child related cancers.

Kenyatta Hospital had a forum to give information on cancer, while the cancer association held an art auction at the village market to help support needy children with cancer. The theme of the event was “see cancer through a child’s eye”.

The government is to conduct a nationwide mass immunisation campaign against pneumonia and diarrhoea.

State Minister for Health (General Duties) Sarah Kataike said the campaign will be conducted using funds from the Global Alliance on Vaccines Initiative.

She said the vaccination is scheduled to start in April.

“The Government is emphasising preventive health because it has been proven that preventive health is less costly and better for this country,” Kataike said.

She said on top of the other vaccinations against tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, the government will also conduct vaccinations against cervical cancer for girls aged eight to twelve, starting in 2015.

Kataike urged the media to support the government in advocating for preventive health, so as to cut down on health expenditure.

She made the remarks while opening the third annual health journalism convention organised by the Health Journalists Network Uganda at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

The three-day convention is running under the theme: “promoting preventive health”.

It aims at improving health reporting, engaging journalists, researchers and experts on health issues, as well as collecting information on preventive health.

Kataike said the health ministry is aware that 80% of the diseases in Uganda are preventable, but little is being done to prevent them.She said globally, focus has been on preventive care as a key to improving health and making health expenditure cost effective.

Kataike said the government, will also implement policies like mandatory testing and counselling for HIV as well as eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Dr. Margaret Mungherera, the president of the Uganda and World Medical Association, said the government needs to walk the talk.

She said if the Ministry of Finance fails to allocate money for sanitation to the education and health ministries, they will have let down preventive care.

“The number of people acquiring communicable diseases is reducing, but not fast enough. Non-communicable diseases are on the increase, due to poor lifestyles,” Mungherera said.

“The Government has allocated zero percent to sanitation, but is, at the same time, talking of preventive health promotion,” she said.

Mungherera called upon journalists to help expose and deny quack medical practitioners audience because they compromise the effort of preventive care.

She said of the 6,000 doctors in Uganda, only 3,500 have renewed their practicing license, meaning that 2,500 doctors are working illegally.

A major campaign to crackdown on counterfeit drugs throughout the country has come into force by the Liberia Medicine and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA).

The LMHRA has intensified its campaign to eliminate counterfeit drugs from medicine stores throughout the country under new initiative codenamed “Accredited Medicine Store (AMS) Program.

The AMS is a process of accreditation through registration, training of medicine stores owners/dispensers in proper medicines, dispensing, business and financial management and good customer services, as well as upgrading the premises to meet the required standards.

Performing in close collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Board of Liberia and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the LMHRA recently launched the AMS campaign, aimed at improving sanitary conditions of community dwellers, as well as ensuring full monitoring and evaluation of drugs sold in various medicine stores/pharmacies across Liberia.

In order to declare a medicine store AMS-qualified, the LMHRA explained that such medicine store(s) must have passed a drug evaluating laboratory test, clearly determining the quality and standard of medicines being sold in those particular drug stores.

“Our main objective today is to inform you – thepress and the general public – ofour effort to improve and sanitise the retail medicine distribution system in Liberia and also to inform you of the official launch of the Accredited Medicine Stores program in Liberia,” explained Mr. David Sumo, managing director, Liberia Medicine and Health Products Regulatory Authority.

“It is common in Liberia for our people to buy medicines in the streets, on the market tables, in open buckets from street vendors or from unregistered medicine stores and pharmacies,” Sumo lamented, and warned:

“This has been a cause of serious harm to health, and sometimes deaths, among our people, creating undue pressure to the healthcare delivery system of the country, as most of the medicines acquired from these sources are either fake or poor quality.”

As a consequence of the negative impact created by the sale of illicit drugs in some medicine stores, Mr. Sumo further warned that the new initiative also aims at revoking certificates of counterfeit medicine stores.

He said such drastic actions would be taken, especially in the case where the LMHRA discovers that a particular medicine store is deliberately selling fake drugs having inherent danger to the community.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sumo said efforts were underway to certify some 100 medicine stores that have met the LMHRA’s regulations and standards, and urged would-be violators to beware the consequences of abusing the AMS’ new guidelines.

Introduction:

The late 20^th century and most especially the dawn of 21^st century, the century born by technological innovations amidst technological fears such as “the millennium time bomb is real”, were the periods hit by well enlightened campaigns on the usefulness of computer technology in human life.

I could pretty well remember that I was in the last two years of my high school education and we had to write many assignments, essays and represent the school in competitions, all not un-related to the significance of the computer in all endeavors of life.

But in the first decade of the 20^th century, technological advancements peaked into – but not fully – the 75^th percentile of achievement and impact anyone could think of. In pharmacy, there have been silent improvements that have now almost swept the profession into the digital world and rapidly phasing out our traditional way of doing things.

Portfolio of Achievements:

Pharmaceutical services in the era of IT centre on using devices to simplify activities. These operations enhance efficient services, cut cost and give pharmacy a modern outlook. The fundamental is the application of computer software/programmes in the execution of these services.

Some years before now, we all yelled the birth of computer programmes that are in place to manage stock level, i.e. the programmes enabled with functions that enter the procured stock, amount given for a requisition and a calculator that will automatically compute the remaining stock after the orders/requisitions have been given out. But now, pharmacies in the developed countries integrate their stock with RFID technology, coupled with a powerful database to manage the supply chain/expiry/product availability and most importantly to ensure that the drug is authentic. This approach would both cut costs and add to the differentiation of the pharmacy chain brand.

Again another innovation that littered the pharmacy technological landscape some years before now was the idea of online pharmacies which now has been squarely explored in the developed countries.

In the industrial sector, though new machines introduced were rarely a thrill, the most of all is now the automated or robot-operated industrial processes that have to gradually phase out the era of machines being regulated by humans at many points in the manufacturing procedure.

Education in pharmacy has also witnessed radiance of technological simplicity: the internet for research, video conference for distance learning, etc.

The Era of Telepresence:

Notwithstanding all the achievements recorded in the pharmaceutical and other endeavors of life, every day new ideas come to rule the world. The fashion of telepresence has now come to find many applications in the pharmaceutical world. Telepresence is the virtual presence of somebody whose actions are transmitted by electronic signals to physically remote sites.

Telepresence is a higher technology of video conference. It gives a physical and nearly 3D picture of somebody in a location he is not actually in but which does not equal to his real presence.

Pharmaceutical companies can use it for presentations of new products. The education sector can use it for paper presentations by somebody who is away. It can also promote the erstwhile traditional continuing education programmes.

However, as with any advancement, there comes with it a greater cost. So also the technology of telepresence which may require many devices that will come with higher cost. That notwithstanding, the application of telepresence will definitely strengthen communication and enhance information dissemination, promotion of products and participation in gatherings of particular interests.

As part of its sustained awareness campaign, the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) has announced that Nigeria records 281,000 new infections of HIV/AIDS every year.

Prof. John Idoko, NACA’s director-general, made this revelation during the zonal consultations on ownership for sustainable HIV response held recently in Abuja.

According to Idoko, only 400,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are receiving drugs, out of about 3 million people currently infected, while about 1.5 million people are expected to be on anti-retroviral drugs.

In spite of the odds, the NACA director-general was quite optimistic and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the fight against the disease.

In his earlier address at the meeting, the professor categorically said that the irregularity in funding the NACA by donor agencies was because of the global meltdown in the past three years.

“We have seen a very significant progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Nigeria – more than 25 per cent HIV decline between 2001 and 2009. However, we still have very significant gaps.”

“Nigeria has the largest burden of transmission of mother child of HIV in the world – 30 per cent with about 70,000 children born every year with HIV. These children hardly live to see their third birthday, without treatment,” he said.

He however warned that a lot still needs to be accomplished in order to ensure a future free of HIV/AIDS.

“If we are to transform the landscape of AIDS, it must remain high on the national and global agenda. We must move to a response that is long-term and sustainable – onethat makes full use of the knowledge and resources developed over the past three decades, yet continues and responds to a changing world that is constantly influencing the future of AIDS,” he remarked.

While expressing his appreciation, the NACA boss further urged donor agencies to ensure regular funding of the agency, saying over 80 percent of their finance comes from them.

Prior to the Zonal Consultation meeting, it would be recalled that NACA carried out several enlightenment campaigns to dissuade youths on partaking in activities that can put them at risk during the valentine period (February 14).

Idoko appealed to media organisations to use the opportunity to relay positive messages about the celebration of the day. He also urged people to avoid what would impair their sense of judgment, to keep away from risky behaviour.

According to him, the day is supposed to be a demonstration of love and gratitude to important people in one’s life by giving gifts.

He called on the government to find ways to provide more social infrastructure that would engage the young minds and keep them busy.

“More recreation parks, sports arena, museums, tourist sites must be developed, this will provide venues for young men and women to visit, instead of engaging in risky behaviour.’’

Idoko said it was important to note that sex was worth waiting for and that it was wrong to think that having it was a sign of love.

“It is never a sign that can tell if someone loves you or not; young people should strive to protect their self-esteem and wait until they are married.

“Boyfriends and girlfriends should engage in meaningful activities that can provide not just fun, but education and information, such as exchanging fictional and educational books.

“Visiting of recreational parks, zoos, and tourist sites, and even visiting orphanages, are all activitieswhich young ones should indulge in. This will make them appreciate life better, protect and utilise the opportunity God has given them for a chance in life. ’’

Patients are being put at risk, as exhausted junior doctors work for 100 hours a week, a new report suggests.

Many training doctors are ‘tired and stressed’ because of shift patterns which flout European laws on working hours, according to the General Medical Council (GMC).

Some of the 55,000 junior doctors are working double the legal limit of 48 hours a week.

“There are still long shifts, and long weeks, with many indicating they could still work up to 100 hours in a single week, and runs of 12 days at work – includingsome 13 hour shifts – not being unusual,” the report stated.

While some of the junior doctors questioned by Durham University researchers said that the regulations had led to fewer working hours, the rules had produced more shift work – leavingsome medics suffering fatigue.

Researchers, who interviewed 82 training doctors from across the UK about their working habits, suggest that many hospitals are relying on doctors in training to provide care and treatment, without adequate supervision from senior colleagues.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: “It is clear the current system is not working as it should – insome cases, doctors are still too tired and there are issues around continuity and training opportunities.

“We must never go back to the ridiculous hours worked in the past, when patients were routinely put at risk by exhausted young doctors, but the current system is too complex and the way it is implemented far from satisfactory.”

Dr Ben Molyneux, chair of the British Medical Association’s junior doctor committee, added: “Badly designed, understaffed rotas can leave junior doctors doing long stretches of night shifts, with fewer training opportunities.

“There is clear evidence that tired people are more likely to make mistakes and so it is essential that this problem is addressed.The solution does not lie in increasing working hours.There is clear evidence that long working hours increas the potential for doctors to make mistakes.”

He added that the union was in ‘exploratory talks’ with the NHS Employers organisation about junior doctors’ terms and conditions.

Dean Royles, director of NHS Employers, said: “Excessive working hours are detrimental to doctors and affect the quality of the care they give, so it’s important we work together to produce an outcome that enables them to work efficiently and to the best of their ability.

“Improvements to the junior doctors’ contract, in particular, could greatly benefit both staff and their patients.

“The services the NHS provides and the way it provides them have changed significantly since the contract was initially drawn and as a result, it is no longer fit for purpose.

“A renegotiated junior doctors’ contract could simplify processes, increase the focus on patients, enhance training opportunities and achieve less rigid shift patterns.”

Culled from dailymail.co.uk/health

For Christian pharmacists across the country to enjoy the fulfilment of the prophetic declaration for 2013, as “the year of enlargement”, the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) has said discovering the secrets for enlargement, and abiding by them is key.

Speaking at the February breakfast meeting held in Lagos, Pharm. Umanze Cornelius, who spoke on the topic “Kingdom secrets for enlargement”, stated that man originally was created by God to live a prosperous life, but this was cut short, as a result of the sin committed in the Garden of Eden, as seen in the holy writ,Genesis 2:7-15.

He further explained that enlargement therefore will mean a return journey, a reversal or repentance, and turning from sin to live the way God wants man to live. “All that have been prescribed in the Bible as the way and manner the Christian should live constitute the kingdom secrets for enlargement.”

Umanze, who is the AGM Research and Development, Alpha Pharmacy, urged all Christian pharmacists to locate their positions in Christ and return to the author of success, for them to achieve real success in all their endeavours.

According to him, secret one is for pharmacists to live in conformity with the word of God and contrary to the corrupt systems of the world, adding that they should not be Sunday Sunday Christians, but they should be Christians indeed (Rom.12:2).

The second kingdom principle is the establishment of the kingdom of God, here on earth, through the preaching of the gospel, and helping the poor.

He listed secrets four and five as asking for enlargement, and service to God. On asking for enlargement, he cited the case of Jabez in 1 Chronicle 4:10, how Jabez prayed to God to enlarge his coast, and change his circumstances, and God answered his prayers.

He also admonished pharmacists to create time out of their schedule, to render acceptable service to God, stating that it has eternal rewards, hereafter.

Umanze further called on Christian pharmacists to lend to the Lord, by assisting the needy in the society, because, “whoever lends to the poor, lends to the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17).

Having highlighted the principles to kingdom enlargement, he stressed the need for pharmacists to be obedient to the totality of the word of God, stating that there are innumerable blessings accruable from this simple act of obedience to God and his word.

He however frowned at laziness as an attitude, stating that no pharmacist must give laziness a chance in his or her life, because laziness is a curse. Rather, he encouraged them to embrace diligence at work and in all their endeavours, because the hand of the diligent makes him rich.

Pharm (Mrs) Rachael Odesanya, ALPs national PRO, has advised all lady pharmacists to be more Internet compliant, in order for them to be abreast of new developments in the profession, both in Nigeria and outside the country.

Odesanya, who spoke with Pharmanews in an exclusive interview, is also the chief pharmacist and the co-ordinator of the Pharmacovigilance Centre in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

She said ALPs recognised the need for members to be Internet compliant a few years back, and conducted IT training for them, which included the use of Internet in Enugu. “However it appears that some are still lacking this skill, that is why I am urging those concerned to seek opportunity to improve themselves in this 21^st century”.

The PRO, who hinted on the activities of ALPs, said the goal of the group for 2013 is for the current executive members to hand over to the newly elected officials, and preparations are on going to make it successful.

These and many more were her submissions. Below is the full text of the interview:

Could you tell us about yourself, background and past offices held?

I am a graduate of pharmacy from the University of Jos and a Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists. I hold a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. I work as a chief pharmacist and the co-ordinator of the Pharmacovigilance Centre in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). I enjoy giving lectures and helping people. I am an ordained elder in Elshaddai Covenant Ministries.  I am a recipient of several awards, both at the national and local levels. I am married to Pharm. Olakunle Odesanya and we are blessed with three lovely children.

Background: I am Igala by tribe from Kogi State and born to Hon. Daniel and Grace Ogbadu.

Past offices: I held the following offices at both the state and national levels from 1995 till date: PRO, Secretary, Ex-officio member (ALSP Plateau State at various times before joining the national executive). National offices: Internal auditor and currently the National PRO (second tenure).

As the PRO of ALPs, how would you describe ALPs performance at the just concluded PSN conference in Abeokuta?

ALPs performance at the just concluded PSN conference in Abeokuta was very impressive. ALPs was well represented at the conference and in fact, the Ogun State chapter of ALPs was fully on ground, to ensure the success of the conference. ALPs was also part of the conference planning committee and gave her full support to PSN. So, we did well. Up ALPs!

Could you tell us about the goals of the group for the year 2013?

Our goal for 2013 is mainly for the current executive members to hand over to new elected officials and we plan to make it successful. We have put structures in place, like the creation of ALPs website, and we want the new exco to continue to build on the current achievements. We also want to consolidate on our various state projects, like the girl-child training, and building of a quality control laboratory.

And what are the means to achieve these goals?

Through conferences, meetings, outreaches, workshops, advocacy and collaboration with other women groups and PSN.

It was in the news recently that women are lagging behind in the use of Internet. What programmes do you think can boost the Internet usage of your members?

ALPs recognised this a few years ago and conducted training in IT, including the use of Internet in Enugu for her members. Programmes which will enlighten women on the importance of Internet use, as well as the provision of Internet facilities not too far from the homes and offices will help. Women can be encouraged to download applications into their cell phones and subscribe to Internet facilities, to enable them browse right from their sitting rooms and kitchens.

As women, do you think your members can do well on plant research to the benefits of their patients?

Oh yes! Plant research is a major programme of ALPs for some years now and our technical adviser is the current director of the Nigerian Medicinal Plants Development Company, in the person of Pharm. Hajia Zainab Shariff. Medicinal plants were our focus at the 2009 conference held in Abuja, with the theme: Cultivation of medicinal plants for nutritional, health and economic empowerment of women. We discussed how these plants can benefit our patients and ALPs has researched into medicinal plants and identified where they can be grown in Nigeria. We have produced the Nigerian Medicinal Plant Compendium and it is currently on sale. This is because ALPs is in the forefront of promoting Nigerian medicinal plants.

What are the challenges of ALPs nationally, and how could these be resolved?

Our major challenge in ALPs national is the need to involve all members. Since the birth of ALPs in 1986 by three great mentors namely: Pharm. (Mrs) Amoni E. Pepple, Pharm. (Mrs) Adeline Wariso and Pharm. (Mrs) Ngozi Dolly Onugha (all FPSN), ALPs has grown and achieved quite a lot over the years, but would have done more if we have more passionate members who can cover lots of ground, if they are available to ALPs.

In addition, finance is a big challenge to ALPs national, and most of our laudable projects are stunted, due to lack of funds.

What is your advice to all pharmacists across the nation?

I encourage all pharmacists in Nigeria to be passionate about the profession. We should see it above every individual pharmacist, so that we can have a say in the scheme of things. We need to come together, rather than pull each other down; so that we can achieve great things for our profession, thereby making everyone proud to be a pharmacist in Nigeria. Do not give up on personal development!

In this edition of viewpoint, our reporter, Oladejo Adebayo went to town to get the reactions of Nigerians towards the practice of hawking and buying of drugs inside buses. Their diverse reactions are presented below.

Drugs should not be bought anyhow

I would not buy drugs in a bus for any reason because most of those drugs you see people selling inside buses are either fake or expired drugs. A lot of people who sell those drugs are charlatans, who have no knowledge about drugs and who are not trained to handle drugs. Most times, these people would change the expiry date of a drug, so that they could sell it to people and make money. I would prefer to buy my drugs from a registered pharmacy shop, so that if anything goes wrong, I could quickly go back to complain and I would know whom to hold responsible.

Meanwhile, I would advise those who still patronises these charlatans to desist from it, as it is too dangerous for their health. Why would they endanger their own lives, in the name of buying cheap things? Drugs are too dangerous to be bought anywhere and anyhow.

Tosin Oyewole

Staff, Newton Pharmacy

Iyana-Oba, Lagos

A reasonable person should know better

Drugs are not meant to be taken at will and also not to be bought anyhow, rather they should be prescribed by a doctor, and should be dispensed by a pharmacist or chemist, who knows the intricacies of drugs. If you take or buy drugs by yourself, without the directive of medical personnel, it could lead to breakdown of certain things in the body, or complications, and it could also lead to sudden death. So, a reasonable person should know that majority of those who sell drugs in buses are not trained medical practitioners, but traders who are concerned about their pocket and how to make ends meet.

However, some of the major reasons why some people fall prey to these people are as a result of ignorance, illiteracy and poverty, so those in the health sector should help enlighten people more on the dangers inherent in buying drugs from unregistered persons or premises, and by so doing, our health status would be better for it.

Pastor Femi Oni

College Road, Ifako Lagos

Those who patronises them are gullible!

A lot of people in this country are too gullible and as such, they are ready to buy anything, provided it is cheap. As far as I am concerned, cheap things kill faster than even a bullet, and I see no reason why a right thinking person, who values his or her life, would buy a malaria drug that is worth one thousand naira at a chemist shop at the rate of two hundred naira in a bus, and still go ahead to use the drug. I wonder how, on earth, would anyone expect the drug they sell at give away prices to do the same thing as those they sell at higher prices in pharmacy shops.

Meanwhile, it is worrisome that a lot of people, even the so called educated and the enlightened, patronise these charlatans, who sell drugs in buses. I think our government needs to do more in this aspect of fake and adulterated drugs. They should empower the agencies like NAFDAC, PSN and others to arrest and prosecute these charlatans.

Jumoke Ogunyemi

Idi Osan, Agbado

Lagos State

I would look at it, but I won’t buy

As for me, I would listen attentively to whatever they say about those drugs they sell in the bus, but nothing on this earth would make me patronise them. Most times, I do collect the pack of the drug from them, in order to see its features and some other things, but rather than buying it from them, I would prefer to go to my pharmacist, where I could make enquiries and seek advice on the drug. I have observed that over ninety nine percent of those who sell drugs in buses are either quacks or are not trained to handle drugs.

Meanwhile, those who buy these drugs do so because those drugs are extremely cheap. They have forgotten that their lives are more precious than the little money they are trying to save. So, as far as I am concerned, if a particular drug could not be found anywhere, except in a bus, I would rather forget about buying the drug.

Michael Nicholas

Ndike, Obawole

Lagos State

What is wrong with it?

What is the big deal in buying drugs inside a bus? Those who sell the drugs are human beings, just like you and I, and they are even well known among the commercial bus drivers and traders, and as such, they have no hiding place and one can easily trace them and lodge complaints, if anything goes wrong. To be sincere with ourselves, how many pharmacy shops in Nigeria would you get to that you would be attended to by a pharmacist? Most of them would open a pharmacy shop and put one of their brothers or sisters there to attend to people, while the owner would take another job with either government or private establishments.

So, when you look at it, it is like a case of calling a dog a bad name, in order to hang it. If a drug has not expired and the person selling it in a bus is not a ghost, why can’t I patronise them? What is the difference between those who sell drugs in buses and pharmacy shops, where a boy or girl of fifteen to twenty years old would attend to you? I am not saying there are no bad eggs among those who sell drugs in buses, just like we have among those who sell inside shops, but when one knows what he or she is buying, there is the tendency that one would not make the wrong choice.

Amusan Tolulope

Ijebu Ode

Ogun State

Pharm. (Mrs) Ibidun Dokubo is the Rivers State chairman of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs). In this exclusive interview with Pharmanews, she hinted that the association would love it if PSN, at the state level, could introduce innovative programmes for the development of the members.

Dokubo, who lamented the poor participation of members at ALPs activities, urged them to turn a new leaf in the New Year, by taking active part in the projects of the body, adding that this will promote the association a great deal.

Asked if her members are lagging behind in the use of the Internet, she said the

use of the Internet is a technological innovation that will enable the prompt delivery of pharmaceutical care and services, so we should embrace it.

These and many more were her submissions. Below is the full text of the interview.

Could you tell us about yourself madam?

My name is Pharm. Ibidun Dokubo. I graduated from Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1985. I had my internship with State Hospital, Adeoyo, Ibadan, in 1986. Presently, I am a student of the West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacists. I work at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. I am married with children.

What is the objective of Rivers State ALPs for the year 2013?

We have three main objectives; the first is school moral and drug abuse campaign; second is community health education campaign; and lastly, support to schools of the physically challenged.

The school moral campaign will be held in secondary schools in the state. The focus is to educate youths on drug abuse and misuse, safe use of medication, moral values, and civic responsibilities. ALPs Rivers State will also hold programmes among target groups, as market women, old transport workers, and others. All these are geared towards ensuring that the society is adequately equipped with skills to live health promoting life styles.

Safe motherhood project, to address a serious health challenge: Nigeria still battles with high incidence of maternal mortality, infant mortality and low life expectancy. The association will work with clinics that provide antenatal and child care services to educate the women.

How would you assess PSN activities in the State, any achievements, and what are the areas to be improved upon?

The PSN activities in the state have improved and are highly commendable, as meeting attendance of members has increased. The technical groups and ALPs, as interest group, are carried along, to discuss issues and exchange ideas that will improve professional pharmaceutical practices and health care delivery in Nigeria. The activities of the society extend to rural areas, with campaign for more people to have access to safe medicines.

The state government has also recognised the role PSN has been playing, and to commend us, we got a bus for the state branch, and some got government sponsorship of pharmacists to FIP in 2012.

There is the need to encourage participation of more members at meetings and activities in the state and national conferences. Innovative programmes should be introduced, such programmes that the members cannot wave aside for their development

Is ALPs, as an interest group of PSN, living up to the objectives of its establishment in the state?

Oh yes, we still have a lot to do. We have regular monthly meetings; hold lectures in secondary schools on drug abuse / drug misuse, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and pharmacy, as a career.

We paid visits to market places, churches and other organisations, to give lectures.

We also visited compassionate homes and children’s homes (i.e. motherless babies’ homes and homes for the elderly) to donate drugs, toiletries, food items, and collaborate with our governor’s wife’s programme – Adopt a child initiative. We have adopted children.

It was stated in a report that women are lagging behind in the use of the Internet. Considering ALPs, as a women group, is this statement true about your members, and what are they doing to improve on themselves?

The use of the Internet is a technological innovation that will enable the prompt delivery of pharmaceutical care and services, so we should embrace it.

What are the challenges of the group, and how could they be resolved?

The attendance at meetings is low and there is a lukewarm attitude towards activities; lack of cooperation from some members. If a large number of us come out for these activities, the association will move forward, in all ramifications.

What is your advice to all pharmacists, and much more, to lady pharmacists?

All pharmacists – young and old – should come out to work together, to make a sacrifice for the profession, to add value to the world.

Pharm. Nnodum Iheme is the president of Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA). In this interview with Pharmanews, during the 85th PSN national conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last November, he spoke on the activities of the association, and the long term plan to make NAPPSA an institution that will contribute more to the development of pharmacy in Nigeria.

Below is the full text of the interview:

How much of the objectives you set for NAPPSA at its inception have been achieved?

NAPPSA was formed in 2006.  It was inaugurated during our first conference in 2007.  Our goal then was to bring Nigerian pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists together in the Diaspora and work very closely with the associations and the institutions in Nigeria.

Our plan was to work with associations like the PCN, PSN, NAFDAC and the universities together and be able to bring quality standard to our practice.

We wanted to pull our resources together and be able to tackle some of our problems, particularly in areas such as patient care, pharmacy education, pharmaceutical manufacturing, clinical trials and drug distribution.

Looking at these laudable objectives, how much of it have you achieved so far?

So far we have been able to build relationship and trust.  NAPPSA sponsored about five people to come to this conference to talk about disease management and to talk about bioequivalence and what we really need to be doing. Those are some of the things that we have achieved.

We are now working with NAFDAC and PCN to form a working committee, so that we can share ideas on how to move forward.

Most importantly, we have missions and goals.  We are at the stage where we are implementing most of our plans to achieve our goals.

What are the challenges you think are facing pharmacists in Nigeria that NAPPSA can help in surmounting?

I think the most important thing is that knowledge is power.  With knowledge and information, I think the community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists in Nigeria can do better.  We are even doing exchange programme with ACPN.  Right now, there are memorandums of understanding between different universities, colleges of pharmacies in Nigeria and universities in US.  That is part of what NAPPSA is doing.  Knowledge is so critical.  If we can bring knowledge into the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria, that will really help to move the profession forward.

What are the plans of NAPPSA for the next 5 to 10 years? Where do you hope to see the association in the next 5 to 10 years?

By that time, NAPPSA will be an institution.  All of us will come down here to contribute.  Most importantly, NAPPSA would have ensured that the second generation of Nigerians in the Americas, who have never thought of coming to Nigeria to do anything and are now having a change of mind, and are thinking of coming home to do something, contribute more to this country.