The Place of Learning and Personal Development

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22/05/2019

-As NAPharm Drug & Substance Abuse Committee meets in preparation

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) is set to hold a symposium on drug and substance abuse on Tuesday, 11 June 2019, at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

NAPharm Holds Symposium on Drug and Substance Abuse in Lagos — L-R: Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, vice president, NAPharm; Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, president, NAPharm; Mrs Tawa Arilesere; Pharm.Hanson Ekomobong, and Pharm. Kennedy Izunwa, at the committee meeting.

The symposium will be preceded by a 2-Day Walk Against Drug Abuse, which will be held on 3 and 10 June 2019, from Adeniji Adele junction to Oba’s Palace on Lagos Island, and from Allen Avenue to Ikeja Under Bridge, respectively.

According to the Chairman, NAPharm Drug and Substance Committee, Dr Lolu Ojo, each walk will be well attended by a minimum of 200 pharmacists and other stakeholders.

Top among dignitaries that will be in attendance at the symposium are: Wife of the President of Nigeria, Hajia Aisha Buhari, as the special guest of honour; Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, as guest of honour; the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd); the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa; the President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Dr Francis Faduyile; Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Moji Adeyeye; the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) Pharm. N.A.E Mohammed; officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); members of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN); students, youths and other stakeholders.

NAFDAC Canvasses Local Drug Manufacturing to Curb Counterfeiting

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21/05/2019

To reduce the circulation of fake and substandard drugs in the country, the Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Professor Moji Adeyeye, has stressed the need for more local manufacturing pharmaceutical companies.

The NAFDAC boss made the call at a recent press conference organised by the agency to refute a report which stated that 70 percent of drugs in Nigeria were fake

Adeyeye, who described the dearth of local pharmaceutical companies in the country as a big challenge, highlighted the benefits of locally manufactured drugs to the nation a citizens to include, drug safety, enjoyment opportunities, enhanced Gross Domestic Product, as well as accessibility to medicines.

NAFDAC Canvasses Local Drug Manufacturing to Curb Counterfeiting — L-R: Director, Registration and Regulatory (R & R) NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze; DG, NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye; and immediate past president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, at the press briefing.

She said: “If we do not have local manufacturers of drugs in the country, then we all are in trouble. Although there are rumours that 70 percent of drugs in Nigeria are fake, which is a blanket and untrue statement, I am for local manufacturing. NAFDAC is supporting our local manufacturers, so that we can depend less on importation and have our own local manufacturing companies.

“For drug security, we need local manufacturers. Many Africans died when HIV/AIDS newly came because there was lack of drugs. It also helps with unemployment, as Africa is the largest market base in the world and if we don’t have our own local manufacturing companies, we won’t be able to sell to other countries. Other countries will be bringing everything to us and the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry will be weak.”

Reacting to the report that 70 percent of drugs in Nigeria were fake, Adeyeye described the source of the news as irresponsible, saying the latest survey conducted in the country showed 17 percent fake drugs, not 70 percent, but the mischievous source, had indicated 70 percent.

“It is irresponsible for someone who isn’t qualified and doesn’t have a data to be saying that the drugs in circulation in Nigeria are 70 per cent fake. The latest study that we have indicates 17 per cent and 7 per cent of the drugs in Nigeria are substandard, but we are now going to do newer studies. While essential medicines like anti-malarial used to be like 13 per cent or 14 per cent and then we have all sorts of devices to ensure that our local products are produced.

“Whatever has been said is fake news and is irresponsible and unfortunate. We want to do local manufacturing, we want to improve our children’s lives and all of a sudden we heard 70 per cent fake drugs from somebody that has nothing to do with NAFDAC. NAFDAC’S staff were not present at this meeting. They used our logo falsely to invite people to this meeting so that they can put all the wrongs together.

“NAFDAC is doing all the best that can be done in terms of protecting and safeguarding the health of our people and our people are not abstract. Where that news came from, it should go back there, because it is fake and untrue and is not needed in this country”, she asserted.

Explaining the source of the agency’s data, she said the survey was conducted in 2012 by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) in conjunction with NAFDAC, through the use of a handheld device, called TruScan, which can easily detect whether a drug is fake or not and backs it up with remarks.

Prof. Adeyeye further disclosed the activities of the agency in curbing the circulation of fake drugs in the country, saying NAFDAC is presently working on a partnership with international agencies to conduct a new survey on fake drugs in the country, which will commence later in the year.

She further mentioned that the agency will need about 80 TruScan, as one goes for $150,000, and the agency is in possession of only two of the device presently.

“We will start before the end of this year because we cannot just start with one instrument; we need about 80 TruScan to begin. Even if we have to do a small scale study and then scale it up later, if we do not have enough instruments, it may not pan out well”, she stated.

University Don Warns Pregnant Women against Untreated Infection, Douching

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21/05/2019

2

– Says Seagreen’s Klovinal best for vaginal infection treatment

Adewale Sule-Odu, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Ogun State, has warned pregnant women against untreated infections and douching, saying when women are pregnant and have infection, it depletes the lactobacillus in the vaginal environment and thus putting the foetus at risk of contracting the infection.

Sule-Odu, who was a former deputy vice-chancellor of OOU, spoke with journalists at a presentation of research findings with the theme “Vaginal Microflora in Pregnant Women Attending Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital and the Implication on Foetal Outcomes”, explained that the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis is high in pregnant women in Nigeria and thus should not be assumed to be non-existent.

University Don Warns Pregnant Women against Untreated Infection, Douching — L-R: Pharm. Aje Akinyele,brand manager, Seagreen Pharmaceuticals; Prof. Adewale Sule-Odu, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital(OOUTH),Ogun State;Prof. Ebun Oduwole,deputy vice-chancellor,Administration,OOU and Pharm. Ikenna Enwelunta,general manager,Seagreen Pharmaceuticals Limited.

Speaking further, he said that the vagina is not a sterile organ, as it has its own normal flora, adding that the presence of these bacteria does not indicate infection, as they only serve to protect the organ from harmful pathogens.

He added that contrary to what many people think, douching or the use of soap to wash the vagina does not make it clean, saying it rather destroys the normal flora of the vagina and thereby doing more harm than good.

He added further that every woman has normal vaginal discharge, which is expected to be clear, scanty, odourless and not associated with itching, saying using soap, and all forms of solutions to clean the vagina, is not necessary, even after having sexual intercourse, as the vagina is a self-cleansing organ.

The distinguished scholar also noted that aside from douching, women generally, and pregnant women in particular must desist from other similarly unhealthy habits, such as dipping the fingers hands into the vagina, as bacterial infection could be transmitted from the fingers into the vagina, thereby depleting the level of lactobacillus in the vagina microenvironment.

According to the scholar, the purpose of the event was to present findings on a study conducted on pregnant women during their ante-natal period and early labour on the effect of lactobacillus and bacterial vaginosis, saying lactobacillus generally is a normal flora of the vaginal environment saddled with the main function of preventing the proliferation of pathogenic microbes, thereby protecting the environment and keeping it safe.

Presenting the findings, Sule-Odu, who was the principal investigator in the research, disclosed that pregnant women are encouraged to visit the hospital once they suspect vaginal infection, for proper diagnosis that will ensure they receive the right treatment, adding that an untreated vaginal infection could portend dangers for the foetus.

Recommending Klovinal, a product by Seagreen Pharmaceuticals, which was used in the course of the research, as a trusted pessary in the treatment of vaginal infections, Sule-Odu said the pessary contains Clotrimazole, Metronidazole and Lactobacillus spores, which are indicated for the treatment of vaginitis – both fungal and bacterial, such as vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis.

The university don, who added that Klovinal is a drug of choice for vaginitis, said it restores a healthy vaginal floral, adding that the drug was the only antibiotic that met their requirements when they were in dire need of a product to use in the course of the study.

“Klovinal has three constituents –Lactobacillus spores, Clotrimazole and Metronidazole, hence it gives symptomatic relief to affected patients while also re-establishing the normal healthy flora in the vaginal microenvironment. Klovinal is actually the only product of its kind that has all these unique attributes in one,” he said.

According to the VC, who was represented by the deputy vice-chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ebun Oduwole, the study was one of the 19 research proposals approved out of the 22 submitted to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), adding that it was a giant stride for the university as it had showcased its transparency and accountability when it comes to grants.

Also speaking at the event, Brand Manager of Seagreen Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharm. Aje Akinyele, noted that Klovinal is a brand of polyactive pessaries which has a spectrum of antimicrobial activity that covers the three most prevalent forms of vaginitis, which are bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis, making it suitable for empirical or syndromic management of vaginitis including mixed infections.

What do you Understand by Intravenous Administration?

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21/05/2019

Which of the following alfa receptor antagonists is useful in reversing the intense local vasoconstriction caused by inadvertent infiltration of norepinephrine into subcutaneous tissue during intravenous administration?

a) Propranolol

b) Phentolamine

c) Tamsulosin

d) Ergotamine

What are the Effect of Moderate Consumption of Alcohol

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20/05/2019

5

Effect of moderate consumption of alcohol on plasma lipoproteins is:

a) Raising serum levels of high-density lipoproteins

b) Increasing serum concentration of low-density lipoproteins

c) Decreasing the concentration of high-density lipoproteins

d) Raising serum levels of very low-density lipoproteins

India Becomes First Country to Launch Pharma Tracking Device

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20/05/2019

– As 3rd IPHEX Africa expo attracts NAFDAC DG, other notable pharmacists

In what has been considered a major breakthrough in its war against drug cloning, India has emerged as the first country to introduce a tracking device to authenticate the quality and quantity of pharmaceuticals leaving its shores.

This much was disclosed by Mr Udaya Bhaskar, director general, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) at the opening ceremony of the third International Exhibition for Pharma & Healthcare (IPHEX Africa), held recently at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

When asked if India is also experiencing the hydra-headed problem of drug counterfeiting and cloning, Bhaska declared that drug faking is not exclusive to Nigeria.

“In all fairness, I must admit that faking is a global issue. It does not apply only to the pharmaceutical industry alone, it affects every other sector too. I guess that was why India came up with this innovative tracking device to monitor every product leaving the country.

“With its launch, India has since been identified as the first country to deploy such novel tracking device to monitor all her exports,” he announced.

India becomes first country to launch pharma tracking device — Jaiprakash Pande, director of operations, Africure Pharmaceuticals Limited (middle) flanked by other Indians in one of the exhibition booths.

Regarding the third IPHEX Africa expo, the Pharmexcil boss remarked that he was happy with the level of support it had received so far from the Nigerian government, National Agency for Food Drug and Administration Control (NAFDAC), Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN) as well as various pharma associations since the inception of the annual programme.

“It has not only improved the relationship between both countries but has also enabled a lot of pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies to grow and have direct access to government-recognised pharma companies from India,” he said.

Organised under the aegis of Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) in conjunction with the Indian High Commission, Indian Pharma Manufacturers Importers of Nigeria (IPMIN) and Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN), the 2019 edition of the annual IPHEX Africa programme had 53 Indian pharmaceutical companies and some notable healthcare professionals turning up for the eventful expo.

Among the numerous products on display were drugs, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical formulations, APIs, veterinary drugs, healthcare products, as well as some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription-based medicines.

In a related development, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, director general, NAFDAC, has applauded the organisation of the event, saying that it was quite impressive.

When quizzed by journalists on what NAFDAC was doing to curb continual influx of counterfeit drugs from foreign countries like India, she explained that the solution lies in further strengthening of bilateral arrangements between Nigerian and Indian pharma regulatory bodies.

“This is the bulk of what we discussed today. You know they have their own regulatory bodies that also track and identify people with inclination to commit such felony, just as we equally do in Nigeria. This is the more reason we need to work together,” she said.

On complaints that manufacturers and other pharma entrepreneurs are increasingly finding NAFDAC registration process frustrating due to delay and negligence on the part of the officials, Adeyeye debunked the claim saying that people still have the old picture of the regulatory body in mind.

“NAFDAC has changed now. It is not what many used to think. Today, no paper or file is delayed anymore. Processing of those papers you mentioned should not take more than 120 days at the most,” she reassured.

Among notable health professionals who graced the events were Pharm. Lolu Ojo, former chairman, Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP); Pharm. Ade Popoola, managing director, Reals Pharma; Pharm. Samuel Adekola, chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN); Pharm. Ernest Okafor, managing director, Nemitt Pharma; Peter Esele, managing director, Pemason Pharma; Aakash Kotari, managing director, Sagar Vitaceuticals; Jaiprakash Pande, director of operations, Africure Pharmaceuticals Limited and Maheesh Vaswani, SK Medicines Limited.

Hypertension: Pharmacists Caution against Excessive Alcohol Consumption, Drug Abuse

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20/05/2019

-As Ikotun ACPN takes campaign to market

A group of community pharmacists, under the aegis of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Ikotun Zone, have advised the people of Egbe/Ikotun community to avoid excessive alcohol intake, smoking, sedentary life style, drug abuse and stress in order to reduce the risk of hypertension.

The Sub-Zonal Chairperson, Egbe Sub-Zone, of the Ikotun ACPN Zone, Pharm. Elizabeth Oparah, while speaking at a free screening and awareness programme organised by the sub-zone to mark the World Hypertension Day, at the Ile-Iwe Ultra -Modern Market, the Ikotun/Egbe, said hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease in Nigeria presently, and there is need for more awareness on regular checkup, drug education, healthy diet and lifestyle to prevent the disease.

Hypertension: Pharmacists Caution against Excessive Alcohol Consumption, Drug Abuse — L-R: The Iyaloja of Ile-Iwe Ultra Modern Market, Alhaja Alimoh Sanusi; Pharm. Olusola Moses Jaiyeoba, delivering his lecture with Pharm. Nwachukwu Nwabufor, secretary, Ikotun ACPN and Pharm. Fazaze Taofik, chairman, ACPN, Ikotun Zone.

According to her, heart failure is one of the complications of hypertension, which could be avoided by early detection as well as prompt and appropriate treatment. She added that people do not have to be hypertensive before they check their blood pressure, noting that since regular check-up is the only way to eventually know before one become hypertensive, it should be done regularly

Her words: “World Hypertension Day is celebrated annually on May 17 to educate the public and increase awareness on hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. The theme for World Hypertension Day 2019 is ‘Know Your Numbers’, with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world”.

While speaking, the keynote speaker, Pharm. Olusola Moses Jaiyeoba, managing director, CareSpace Pharmacy, Ejigbo, explained that hypertension is a situation in which there is sustained elevation of blood pressure above a threshold of 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic in an adult, adding that Nigeria accounts for about one-third of the adult population that is hypertensive, while there is poor awareness of the condition.

He however advised Nigerians, especially the market women and men present at the screening venue to avoid excessive salt consumption, engage in regular exercise as well as avoid unhealthy lifestyles like smoking and alcohol consumption, drug misuse and abuse, which is strongly linked to development of hypertension.

“The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in our part of the world is said to have reached epidemic proportion. In most African countries, cardiovascular diseases are the second most common cause of death after infectious diseases”, he said.

While addressing the people, the Director of Information Centre (DIC), ACPN, who is also a practicing pharmacist in the area, Pharm. (Mrs) Bukola Folorunsho, said the risk from hypertension is negligible if the blood pressure is controlled all the time by adhering to lifestyle modifications.

The Pharmacist also urged people with hypertension to consult health practitioners for proper advice and take their medications regularly to achieve good blood pressure control, to prevent complications like stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.

Addressing the community pharmacists, the duo of the Iyaloja and Babaloja of the market, Alhaji Lai Momoh, and Alhaja Alimoh Sanusi, appreciated the healthcare practitioners for bringing the awareness campaign and free screening to their doorsteps in order to enlighten their people on the dangers of high blood pressure.

The duo further expressed delight in the free medical screening conducted for their people, adding that the exercise, if continued, would greatly help to prevent illnesses in the community and promote longer, healthier life.

Other personalities in attendance at the event were Pharm. Ajisegiri Michael, managing director, May Suzzie Pharmacy, Agodo, Ogbe; Pharm. Omotayo Aderinoye, Prinsa Pharma, Ikotun, also a lecturer; Pharm. Fazazee Taofik, chairman, ACPN, Ikotun Zone; Pharm. Ademola Moyosade, and Mrs Titilola Olaonipekun, among others.

Pharmacists, Ojokoro LCDA Partner to End Malaria

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20/05/2019

– As ACPN-AMEN offers free malaria screening

In continuation of its fight against the malaria scourge, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Ikotun Zone, recently joined forces with the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, to intensify action on elimination of malaria in Nigeria by holding an event which featured community engagement, awareness campaign, and free screening.

The programme, which was part of activities to mark this year’s World Malaria Day, tagged, “Zero Malaria Starts with Me,” was held at the Ojokoro LCDA Secretariat, Ijaiye, Lagos.

Expressing concern over the prevalence of malaria in the country, the Executive Chairman, Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. Hammed Idowu Tijani, who was represented by the Honourable Supervisor for Health, Hon. Busari Yisa Nosiru, noted that according to the United Nations (UN) declaration, more than 40 per cent of the world’s population lives in areas where there is a risk of contracting malaria, adding that his administration had recorded appreciable success in taking the lead role towards encouraging healthy living among people in the area.

Pharmacists, Ojokoro LCDA partner to end malaria — A cross-section of community pharmacists, AMEN Zone, at the event

“This has been demonstrated with the reconstruction of Isokan Primary Health Centre, equipped with sophisticated medical equipment and qualified personnel to attend to the medical needs of the people, particularly children and expectant mothers.

“Moreover, our administration has been committed to providing basic drugs with 24 hours efficient and effective service delivery at our various health centres, as well as regular immunisation and breast cancer screening just to mention a few”, he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Medical Officer (CMD), Ojokoro LCDA, Dr (Mrs) R. A. Ogunyemi noted that the incumbent administration in the LCDA had renewed its commitment to tackling malaria, using public awareness programmes and consultations.

“As you are all aware, malaria is endemic in Lagos State and it poses a major challenge to the state as it impedes human development. It is both a cause and consequence of underdevelopment and remains one of the leading causes of morbidity in the state,” Ogunyemi said.

Speaking further, the Ojokoro CMD stated that World Malaria Day is an important event as it ensures that everybody is on the same page in the fight against malaria.

She advised members of the public to not just take malaria drugs because they feel feverish but to actually get tested before taking drugs, as not every case of fever is malaria.

Speaking with Pharmanews, the Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), AMEN Zone, Pharm. Taiwo Adewole, explained that the free medical screening and awareness were organised to have an impact on the communities where members of the association were practising, adding that community pharmacists were at the programme to showcase their presence to the people of the community as well as to partner with the LCDA in celebrating the World Malaria Day.

Beaming with excitement, he added: “The good news is that people are more enlightened about the precautions to take in order to avoid malaria and I am happy to tell you that all the participants cooperated with the speakers. This year’s theme “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, is apt as it is an indication that people need to start working towards malaria prevention, rather than looking for treatment.”

Adewole further stated that the collaboration with the LCDA was born out of the need to reach the people by both the association and the leadership of the LCDA.

“Last year, we wrote to the chairman of the LCDA, requesting permission to use their multi-purpose hall for this event and after reading the letter, he decided that instead of just allowing us to use the hall, we should collaborate”, he explained.

In her lecture, titled “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, Dr Omotayo Giwa of Clinton Health Access Initiative noted that the cosmopolitan nature of the state, people’s carefree attitude, as well as the abundant distribution of coastal areas, encourage the availability of stagnant water for the breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes, adding that this is responsible for the stable pattern and continuous transmission of malaria all year round.

Others in attendance at the event were Chief Olabejo Akinloye, Babaloja General of Ojokoro; Chief. M A Akintade, secretary, Community Development Committee; Alhaji M A. Kazeem, general secretary, CDC; Alhaji A A Amusat, chairman, CDC; Engr. S K Onipede, secretary, Ijokoro LCDA; Chief (Mrs) Basirat Ojugbele, supervisor for women affairs and poverty alleviation, LCDA, among others’

Engage Committed Professionals for Efficiency, Atueyi Canvasses

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19/05/2019

To achieve the ultimate goal of excellence in any profession, there is a need to bring in committed professionals.

This was the stance of Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, member, Board of Trustees (BOT), Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON) at the induction and investiture ceremony of new Fellows held at the Hotel Victoria Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos on 25 May, 2019.

Atueyi, who stood in for Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi as chairman, maintained that the difference between Dubai and Nigeria is the problem of leadership.

Engage Committed Professionals for Efficiency, Atueyi Canvasses — L-R: Yomi Badejo-Okusaya, group managing director, CMC Connect; Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, member, Board of Trustees (BOT), Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON); Godwin Ehigiamupoe and Adesuwa Isokpa, advocate, Kayode Sofola & Associates at the event.

In his address, the distinguished BOT member clamoured for godly virtues on the part of leaders citing the recent killings in Sri Lanka as being perpetrated by people without fear of God.

“This is why we call for only people of integrity and godly virtues to be part of PEFON. The more committed professionals we have at the helms of affairs, the better for this country,” he said.

Speaking further, Atueyi stressed that the foundation is not interested in bringing in crowd to join its fold but only few who have proven themselves worthy in their chosen profession.

“I believe the five core values of PEFON – professionalism, integrity, mentoring, responsibility and empathy say it all,” he noted.

Thanking the hierarchy of the foundation on behalf of the newly sworn-in distinguished Fellows, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusaya, group managing director, CMC Connect promised that they would uphold every tenet of PEFON and continue to sustain its standard.

While noting that he has always followed Sir (Dr) ‘Dipo Bailey, founder of the foundation religiously as a young man, the brand perception expert praised him for bringing revolution into the insurance industry during his hay day.

“I quite agree with the chairman that Nigeria has problem of leadership as the best man does not always get the job. I think what we indeed need is leadership with vision,” he emphasized.

The Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON) is aimed at promoting excellence among professionals who have excelled in their chosen career at home and abroad.

In the last five years, the foundation has attracted bankers, surveyors, pharmacists, technocrats and other career professionals from all walks of life. Some Distinguished Fellows of the Foundation include Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman, PEFON Board of Trustees; Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, immediate past president of PSN; Dr (Mrs) Stella Okoli, chairman, Emzor Pharmaceuticals; Dr John Nwaiwu, chief executive officer, JB Pharmaceuticals Limited; Pharm. Olakunle Ekundayo, managing director of Drugfield Pharmaceuticals; Sir Nnamdi Obi, managing director, Embassy Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. Uche Nwana, managing director, Sylken Pharmacy; Dr Nelson Uwaga, former PSN president and fomer president of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

What do you Understand by Myocardial Oxygen Requirement

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17/05/2019

All these drug groups useful in angina both decrease myocardial oxygen requirement (by decreasing the determinations of oxygen demand) and increase myocardial oxygen delivery (by reversing coronary arterial spasm), EXCEPT:

a) Nitrates and nitrite drugs (Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide dinitrate)

b) Calcium channel blockers (Nifedipine, Nimodipine)

c) Beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs (Atenolol, Metoprolol)

d) Potassium channel openers (Minoxidil)

Dr Chijioke is our Personality for May

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17/05/2019

Dr Chinedum Chijioke is the managing director of Sproxil, a mobile technology solutions company. The firm helps brand-owners to engage with trade partners, influencers and consumers to earn brand loyalty, while protecting the brand from fraud and counterfeiting.

Chijioke holds a first degree in microbiology from University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and an International MBA from IE Business School, Madrid, Spain. He is also an alumnus of the New York Institute of Finance and a member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria.

Chijioke manages Sproxil’s operations in Africa (comprising Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Kenya and Tanzania) and has built the company to become a clear leader in brand protection, while delivering value to all stakeholders.

Before joining Sproxil, he had served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of CFS West Africa Limited, a customer service advisory firm in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Chijioke has valuable experience in strategy development and restructuring for financial services companies and conglomerates. He also has great experience in e-payment, tax advisory, business incubation and consulting.

Prior to his appointment at CFS, he was deputy head, business advisory at Nextzon Business Services Limited, a management consulting firm based in Lagos and focusing on strategy development, business restructuring and incubation.

It is worthy of note that Chijioke started his career at Arthur Anderson, now KPMG Nigeria, where he worked on tax advisory and compliance projects for different companies.

He is a chartered global management accountant (CGMA) and an associate chartered chartered accountant (ACMA).

Pharmacists Query FMoH Over Nigeria’s Absence on Malaria Vaccine List

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17/05/2019

– As AHAPN celebrates World Malaria Day in Lagos

Members of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) have asked the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to explain why Nigeria is missing on the first list of African countries to participate in the pilot programme of world’s malaria vaccine.

The healthcare practitioners who expressed concerns on the burden of malaria in Nigeria at the recent World Malaria Day programme, organised by AHAPN national, in conjunction with the Lagos State branch, noted that Nigeria, having the highest burden of malaria in sub–Saharan Africa, ought to be part of the first set of countries to benefit from the pilot vaccine programme.

Speaking with journalists at the event, the National Chairman, AHAPN, Pharm. Kingsley Amibor, expressed surprise and disappointment at the development.

Pharmacists query FMoH over Nigeria’s absence on malaria vaccine list — L-R: National Chairman of AHAPN, Pharm. Kingsley Amibor; Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Moyosore Adejumo; and Former PSN Chairman, Lagos State branch. Pharm. Anthony Oyawole, at the World Malaria Day programme.

“I guess the Federal Ministry of Health should give us some explanations on that,” he said. “With the highest burden of malaria in Nigeria, Nigeria should be among the first countries to run the pilot vaccine test”, he said.

Amibor further added that government should, in the meantime, set up preventive measures to combat malaria.

“There is need for vector control, while the government must ensure the provision of insecticide-treated nets to all at an affordable cost because the parasite operates more at night; thus if we can prevent mosquito bites, we can actually prevent malaria,” he said.

The AHAPN chairman also called on individuals to embrace personal preventive measures, such as regular environmental cleaning, prevention of stagnant water, cutting of weeds and clearing of drainages.

Speaking on the theme of the programme: “Zero malaria starts with me”, the keynote speaker, Dr Moyosore Adejumo, director of pharmaceutical services (DPS), Lagos State Ministry of Health, said it was apt as it calls for the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including government at all levels, professional bodies, healthcare workers, civil society organisations, communities, corporate organisations and even individuals to reduce the scourge of malaria in the country.

While acknowledging the successful implementation of previous malaria intervention programmes, which produced significant reduction in malaria prevalence and mortality in the country, Adejumo called for increased investment and partnership in the prevention of the disease. This, she said, would help to sustain the gains of such programmes.

Citing the Federal Ministry of Health’s recent report on malaria, the Lagos DPS asserted that 97 per cent of Nigerians, approximately 178 million people, are at risk of malaria infection. She further stated that there were 219 million cases of malaria globally in 2017, with 435,000 deaths.

She added that while 93 per cent of all malaria deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, children of under 5 years accounted for 61 per cent of all deaths.

Concerning the burden of malaria in Lagos State, Adejumo stated that the condition is responsible for more than 70 per cent of outpatients’ attendance in public health facilities, while over 400,000 cases are reported annually.

Highlighting the continued commitment of the state government towards controlling malaria, she mentioned the launch of the Eko Free Malaria Programme in 1999, and the inauguration of the Lagos State Malaria Research Technical and Advisory Committee (LASMARTAC) in 2008, adding however that there was still room for more innovative interventions.

The DPS listed the goals of malaria elimination interventions implemented in the state to include promotion of utilisation of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINS); prevention of malaria in pregnancy; using intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine; prompt diagnosis with malaria RDTS and microscopy; effective case management with Artemisinim–based combination therapy drugs (ACTS), among others.

Chairman of the occasion, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, lamented that 65 per cent of Nigerians, numbering almost 120 million people, expend about N120 million daily to treat malaria, adding that the figure could be running into billions, if the cost of supplementary drugs such as analgesics, multivitamins and others are considered

Akintayo, who was represented by Pharm. Anthony Oyawole, remarked that to successfully eliminate malaria in the country, hospital pharmacists must align with other stakeholders to re-engineer the approach to malaria treatment in order to achieve zero prevalence of the disease.

AHAPN Lagos State Chairperson, Pharm. (Mrs) Titilayo Onedo, stressed the need for more of such awareness programmes in the country, saying if the populace is well enlightened on the causes of a disease, measures could be easily taken to prevent it.

“It is important we came out today because we want to enlighten the people on how to prevent malaria, and what to do, if they have malaria, as it is endemic in Africa. For instance, if they sleep under insecticide-treated nets, with clean surroundings, their chances of having malaria will be low.

“If all of us decide to prevent malaria, with each household regularly engaging in antimalarial activities, If we can do the right thing, in no time, malaria will be a thing of the past”, she stated.

Glucocorticoids are Hormonal Steroids:

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16/05/2019

Glucocorticoids are hormonal steroids:
a) Having an important effect on intermediary metabolism, cardiovascular function, growth, and immunity

b) Having principally salt-retaining activity

c) Having androgenic or estrogenic activity

d) All of the above

Where is the Pharmacy Council Bill?

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16/05/2019

3

The number one question on the lips of pharmacists across the country right now is, where is the Pharmacy Council Bill and why has it not been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari? Indeed, if recent reports suggesting that the bill is missing have any kernel of truth in them, it would portend very grave implications for the health sector and the nation as a whole.

While there has been no official pronouncement as to the veracity or falsity of these reports, it is necessary to stress that the protracted delay in getting presidential assent for this very important bill is, in itself, not only a justifiable source of frustration for professionals and stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and health sector, but also an understandable cause of concern.

The reasons for these negative feelings should be glaring enough, considering the critically essential objectives that the bill seeks to achieve. Most stakeholders had harboured great expectations that the bill, passed by the National Assembly towards the end of 2017, would be expeditiously attended to and signed into law by the president to accelerate the process of transforming the health sector and further safeguarding the well-being of the citizens.

The new bill, when signed into law, is expected to strengthen the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and empower the Council to better deliver on its regulatory mandate. The bill also has adequate regulatory framework for pharmacists and other cadres in the pharmaceutical workforce in the country. Added to this is that the bill appropriately addresses the concept of satellite pharmacy, which seeks to enhance the provision of pharmaceutical care services to all Nigerians across the country, especially those in the rural areas.

Most importantly, the new bill seeks to ensure that there are adequate penalties for various drug offences, as the existing measures have persistently failed to serve as deterrents to people who violate the provisions of pharmacy laws.

It should therefore be a source of bewilderment that this bill, which presents unprecedented prospects to help the nation tackle not just the challenges in the pharmaceutical sector but also other social, health and economic problems like drug abuse and proliferation of fake drugs, is being delayed and turned to a seedbed of rumours.

While we acknowledge that it is the prerogative of the president to properly vet and, if necessary, ask for amendments of bills sent to him for assent, it must be emphasised that health-related issues are such that cannot be left unaddressed for too long, as the repercussions can be very costly and sometimes irreversible. Indeed, the root of the myriad of problems bedeviling the nation can be traced to foot dragging on important issues that require prompt action.

We again affirm our belief and hope that the reports of the bill missing are mere offshoots of the widespread frustrations over the delay in signing it. We do not wish to accept the possibility that such an important document could explicably vanish from the custody of the government. That possibility would not only jeorpardise the hope of putting an end to the hazards that Nigerians face daily from the activities of drug charlatans but would further engender rift in the health sector. Worst of all, it would deal a severe blow to the image of the present government.

We therefore call on President Buhari, once again, to put an end to the simmering tension and agitations over the Pharmacy Bill, by promptly looking into it and taking necessary actions. Mr President, please, make this happen quick.

Prof. Charles Esimone Emerges New UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor

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15/05/2019

Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Akwa, has been appointed as the new Vice – Chancellor of the institution.

Esimone, who became a professor at the age of 37, and first professor of Pharmacy in the institution, emerged as the new Vice-Chancellor, having scaled through an extensive interview process, which involved thirty other professors that applied for the position.

Prof. Charles Esimone Emerges New UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor — Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, is a professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and he holds B.Pharm., M.Pharm., and PhD degrees from the University of Nigeria (1995, 1998 and 2002 respectively).

Reports garnered from the university revealed that the announcement of Prof. Esimone as the new Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, by the Governing Council of UNIZIK on Wednesday, brought a great relief to the university community, as there had been probable tension in the institution over who becomes the new Vice-Chancellor.

While Prof. Esimone has received his appointment letter as the new Vice – Chancellor of UNIZIK amidst jubilation, he is expected to take over from the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku.

According to reports on the selection process of candidates for the job, it was stated that Twenty- eight (28) professors applied for the position of the Vice- Chancellor, while the search team constituted by the Governing Council got three other professors, making it Thirty -one (31) professors, altogether.

Some of the candidates that applied for the position include: Prof. Charles Esimone, immediate past deputy vice – chancellor, Academics, UNIZIK; Prof. Godwin Onu, former rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko; Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu, former provost FCE (T); Prof. A.U Nonyelu; Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, INEC REC Imo State and former vice-chancellor of Hezekiah University; with four other professors from outside UNIZIK among others.

Some of the awards he has received include: the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship to Germany (2003-2005); Visiting Scientist to the University of Pittsburgh, USA (2007-2008); the ANDI Bright Contest Award for the Best African Innovative Researcher, South Africa (2009); Young Scientist (representing Nigeria) at the “Summer Davos” Annual Meeting of New Champions, Tianjin, China (2010) and the CV Raman Senior Fellowship, India (2013).

Prof. Esimone is a member of the Governing Council of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the Nanomedicine Society of Nigeria; and the pioneer national president of the Nanomedicine Society of Nigeria.

He has well over 180 publications to his name. He has pioneered research in the use of recombinant viral vectors as surrogates for high throughput antiviral screening studies and on the use of indigenous medicinal plants as immunomodulators, vaccine adjuvants and anti-infectives. His vector-based antiviral screening technique developed between 2003 and 2005 in Germany has significantly revolutionalised high-throughput screening for anti-HIV compounds worldwide.

The management and staff of Pharmanews wish him a successful administration.

What do You Understand by Antianxiety Agents?

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15/05/2019

Which of the following disadvantages does not limit using benzodiazepines as antianxiety agents?

a) Tendency to develop psychologic dependence

b) A high risk of drug interactions based on liver enzyme induction

c) Synergic CNS depression with concomitant use of other drugs

d) The formation of active metabolites

Me Cure Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Launches Mobile App

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14/05/2019

-Conducts free eye screening

In commemoration of its 10th year anniversary, Me Cure Healthcare Limited, a leading healthcare industry in Nigeria has launched a mobile application called ‘SMART BUY’, an e-commerce platform, designed for easy access of healthcare needs from any parts of the country.

Also for the anniversary celebration, the healthcare organisation conducted a free Glaucoma screening for about 10,000 Nigerians, from 1 February to May, 2019.

Me Cure Healthcare Limited, Nigeria, an organisation with over 400 employees, was established in 2009 as a diagnostic company and later expanded its services into eye care, dental care, cancer management, pharmaceuticals and preventive healthcare.

Branded Banner

Speaking with newsmen at a press briefing organised to mark the 10^th anniversary, Dr Adegboyega Alabi, a consultant ophthalmologist and chief operating officer, Me Cure Eye Centre, said the screening exercise was aimed at celebrating the company’s milestone in Nigeria, as well as promoting good eye health, while promoting reduction of the burden of avoidable blindness, through early detection of common eye conditions that result in the blindness.

The ophthalmologist noted that despite growing awareness on Glaucoma, many people do not have their eyes checked regularly, adding that Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve in the eye.

On the new product launched into the Nigerian healthcare space, the Chief Technology Officer, Adil Shaiku said the company introduced ‘Me Cure Smart Buy’, an e-Commerce Platform, which is a form of telemedicine, where Nigerians can communicate with pharmacists and doctors at no cost through their phones, at their convenience and get healthcare services at affordable prices.

Dr. Obiefuna Ajie, Chief Medical Office and Consultant Pathologist — Dr Obiefuna Ajie, chief medical officer and consultant pathologist, at the press briefing.

According to him, the product was launched in order to make healthcare services convenient and affordable to Nigerians. “We are providing access to a qualified panel of doctors completely free. To enjoy this benefit, download the App on your phone and then, you can book appointment with our doctors, while they can give you a call to know your ailment and prescribe medication and diagnostic test if required,” Shaiku added.

Speaking on the milestone, the Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Pathologist, Me Cure Diagnostics Centre, Dr Obiefuna Ajie said the diagnostic arm of the health facility, was borne out of the need to bridge the challenges patients’ face in carrying out investigations and examinations, adding that it has helped many Nigerians access proper treatment and reduce avoidable deaths.

Ajie also spoke on the pharmaceutical arm of the facility, saying it was to ensure that primary healthcare was achieved in the country, which the centre has achieved through the provision of quality, affordable and accessible medicines.

The Chief Operating Officer, Me Cure Healthcare Limited, Oshodi Diagnostic Centre, Mr Jide Fadirepo (Rtd), said lack of state-of-the-art equipment for treatment has limited the positive outcome of patients in Nigeria, noting that government should partner with the private health facilities to provide an enabling environment for improved healthcare delivery, by ensuring reduced tariffs in the importation of lifesaving equipment and consumables, as well as eliminating the long and worrisome process of clearing the commodities from the ports.

Fadirepo, who is also a medical diagnostic radiographer, urged the government to enter into an agreement with healthcare institutions in the country, stating that while it performs the role of providing infrastructure and subsidizing basic amenities such as power, water among others, the health institutions would in turn provide healthcare services at free or cheaper cost, according to the government’s directives.

NHEA For 2019 : Nominate Before May 24th

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14/05/2019

http://nigeriahealthcareawards.com.ng/online-nomination-form/

Organisers of the annual Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) have called on stakeholders and members of the public to nominate qualified candidates for the 2019 excellence awards before the closing date of 24 May 2019.

The NHEA Chairman, Dr Anthony Omolola, who announced the closing date of online nomination of candidates for the different positions created for the awards, urged members of the public to nominate their choice candidates for the awards.

Dr Omolola, disclosed to Pharmanews through a press statement that online nomination will close at midnight of 24 May 2019. He further explained that 2019 NHEA has four awards categories with 25 sub-categories, while nominations for the different award categories are expected from over 5,000 stakeholders and the general public.

Online Nomination Commences For 2019 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards — Event Banner

In the meantime, the management of Pharmanews Ltd ( Winner, 2017 & 2018 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award for Print Media) is using this medium to seek nominations from her loyal readers and advertisers for the category of: Healthcare Media Excellence Award-Print.

Explaining the objective of the programme, which is scheduled for 21 June 2019, at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, he said “NHEA, the Oscar of Nigerian healthcare is an annual event where we recognise and celebrate outstanding personalities and organisations for their extraordinary contributions to the healthcare sector. This initiative, through research and innovation by an eminent team has continued to encourage improvements and focus on quality and standard of service provided by various stakeholders in the industry”.

He also stressed the motive of the Healthcare Excellence Awards ceremony, saying NHEA is an initiative of Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) in collaboration with Anadach Group USA. GHPR is one of West Africa’s leading Healthcare Management and Consultancy Company, involved in the promotion of healthcare business in West Africa.

To nominate your candidates for the various categories, click the link below:

What do you Understand by Glucocorticoids

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14/05/2019

10

Correct statements about glucocorticoids include all of the following, EXCEPT:

a) Effects of glucocorticoids are mediated by widely distributed glucocorticoid receptors that are members of the superfamily of nuclear receptors.

b) Glucocorticoids have dose-related metabolic effects on carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.

c) Glucocorticoids have pro-inflammatory effects.

d) Glucocorticoids have catabolic effects in lymphoid and connective tissue, muscle, fat, and skin.

Choose the Correct Statement

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13/05/2019

6

Correct statements about cortisol (hydrocortisone) include all of the following, EXCEPT:

a) Cortisol is synthesized from cholesterol

b) ACTH governs cortisol secretion

c) Most cortisol is inactivated in the liver

d) The half-life of cortisol in the circulations is normally about 60-90 hours.

New Technology Enables Large-Scale Production of Artemisinin for Malaria

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13/05/2019

Chinese researchers have developed a new technology to produce artemisinin, the top choice for malaria treatment, on a large scale.

Sweet wormwood was used in ancient Chinese therapy to treat various illnesses, including fevers typical of malaria.

Nearly five decades ago, Chinese scientists identified its active ingredient, artemisinin.

In 2005, the World Health Organisation recommended Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) as the most effective malaria treatment available.Global demand for artemisinin then increased but the quality and supply had not been stable.

According to researchers from the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE), Chinese Academy of Sciences due to its complex structure, artemisinin is currently difficult and not economically feasible to chemically synthesize.

The traditional industrial method to produce artemisinin is to treat sweet wormwood leaves with organic solvents like petroleum ether.The extraction process is long, energy consumption is high and productivity is low.

In the study, the IPE researchers proposed to enhance the contact between the solvent and the leaves by reflux to speed up the artemisinin extraction.

The extraction time was reduced from seven hours to four and a half hours.

After treating sweet wormwood leaves with solvents, they optimised the evaporation process with a thin film evaporator, an apparatus that provides a continuous evaporation process, especially for heat-sensitive products to retrieve the solvents.

Compared to the traditional process, the time it takes to produce the artemisinin concentrate is reduced by 87.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, the purity of the final product is increased to more than 99 per cent, and energy consumption is also reduced.

The new technology makes the recovery of the solvents reach 99.9 per cent, energy consumption per tonne of artemisinin drop by 43 per cent and the product purity is higher than 99 per cent, said Wang Hui from the IPE.

“This technology solves the main shortcomings in the traditional artemisinin production process and could also provide ideas for other natural products production,” said Zhang Suojiang, the Director of IPE.

(Xinhua/NAN)

Medical Experts Chart Path to Eradicating Malaria in Nigeria

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13/05/2019

Practitioners from the various fields of Medicine have highlighted the necessary strategies for attaining zero malaria burden in Nigeria, stating that both the government and the citizenry have crucial roles to play to achieve the goal.

The experts, who unanimously made the submission at the workshop organised by the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), in collaboration with the Society for Mosquito Control in Nigeria and the Malaria Society of Nigeria, emphasised effective environmental management as the best prevention strategy for the disease.

In his address at the gathering, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, listed environmental management practices to be adopted by Nigerians to include: Effective refuse management, dredging of canals and channels; integrated vector control; as well as operational research for evidence-based programming and decision making.

Medical Experts Chart Path to Eradicating Malaria in Nigeria — L-R: Dr Sola Smith; Dr Abimbola Osinowo, director, Lagos State Malaria Elimination Control Programme; and Dr Bamgboye M. Afolabi, at the event.

Idris further explained that recent studies had shown that malaria-causing mosquitoes, which hitherto used to breed only in dirty and polluted water, now breed in clean stagnant water, adding that the studies equally found the parasites to be highly endophilic (residing indoors) and thus requiring Indoor Residual Spraying for effective control.

The health commissioner, citing additional researches, noted that mosquitoes have been found to be resistant to the conventional insecticides, pyrethroids – which, according to him, is an indication for the development of new strategies to combat the parasite.

Idris, who was represented by Dr Abimbola Osinowo, director, Lagos State Malaria Elimination Control Programme, at the workshop, also mentioned over-diagnosis of malaria, as one of the challenges besetting efforts to eradicate the disease.

According to her, “Diagnosis, prior to treatment of malaria, improves the overall management of patients with fever and helps to reduce the emergence and spread of drug resistance by reserving antimalarials for those who have the disease. It is equally important that all malaria cases diagnosed are recorded in the appropriate data tool to ensure that all malaria cases in the State are duly reported.”

The President, Malaria Society of Nigeria (MSN), Dr John Puddicombe, stressed the need to take malaria campaign to the nooks and crannies of the rural areas, noting that the theme of this year’s World Malaria Day, “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, cannot be said to be true in Nigeria, if the rural dwellers are still ignorant of the prevention strategies for the disease.

“We need to take our awareness campaign to the grassroots because it is until we take this theme of ‘zero malaria starts with me’ round the rural communities that we can reduce the burden of malaria to a great extent”, he said.

Puddicombe also faulted the materials currently being used for the production of insecticide-treated nets, saying they are often not usable without electricity, as it has been observed that they generate heat beyond bearable limits for users in the absence of power supply.

Dr Bamgboye Afolabi, chief medical research Fellow, NIMR, was particularly concerned about the quality of antimalarial products in the country, saying many of them are fake and substandard.

While highlighting the economic burden of malaria for individuals and government, Afolabi stressed that the quality of pharmaceutical commodities in the management of malaria is a key factor that must be considered.

He further tasked pharmaceutical companies on the production of high quality antimalarials for effective treatment of the disease, noting that this will accelerate the eradication target.

Speaking earlier, the Director General, NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Salako, identified gaps in access to and uptake of lifesaving antimalarial commodities and interventions, saying these gaps must be filled, if malaria is to be defeated for good.

The NIMR DG, represented by Dr Sola Smith, a research fellow of the Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Department of the institute, also mentioned that Nigeria, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo are leading in malaria burden, according to the 2018 World Malaria Report. This, he said, is an indication that more concerted steps must be taken to eliminate the disease in the country.

Purpose of your life

By

Ifeanyi Atueyi

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13/05/2019

Anyone who has closely observed things created by God is bound to readily agree that there must be a reason or purpose for anything created. For example, the air, the plants, the water, the animals, the minerals, the chemicals in the soil and so on all serve various purposes.

Consider the way manufacturers work. No manufacturer embarks on producing anything without first having in mind what it will be used for. The purpose for that product is the first and most important question the manufacturer must settle before production. Other questions, such as how, where, and when it will be used, are secondary and sometimes subjective.

If a manufacturer has no purpose for a product, it is doubtful if he would invest time and other resources to produce it. This analogy makes it clear that God has a purpose for creating us.

Pharmanews Reflection for March — Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi

Humans are the highest and most sophisticated creation of God. We are created in the image of God and have spirit, soul and body. The spirit and soul are immortal but the body is perishable. This makes man a wonderful and special creation. In Psalm 139: 13-14 (NKJV), David said, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works. And that my soul knows very well.”

It has been estimated that an average human takes 72,000 breaths and 360,000 litres of air in 24 hours. The nerves in a human body, if stretched, can cover a distance of 45 miles. The average human skull has 28 bones, while the scalp has 600,000 hairs. The number of hairs on the body is about 2,500,000 and speech is controlled by 72 muscles. The human body is, indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made. It is more complicated that any man-made device.

The human body is designed by God and each individual is endowed with various potentials. Contrary to Darwin’s theory of evolution, man did not evolve over a period of billions of years. Man is not an accident; he was designed for a purpose.

God has personal and intimate knowledge of everyone. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” He is personally involved in our lives from conception to death. He knows even the seemingly minor and irrelevant aspects of our lives. Nothing is too big or too small for Him to care for. Matthew 10:30 says, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

God knows our thoughts. Therefore, nothing can be hidden from Him. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

You are special, unique, one-of-a kind. You must accept the way God made you because there is a purpose for it. You may be short, tall, thin, heavy, black or white. However you find yourself, know that it is for your potential and purpose. That is why you must accept and love yourself and always thank God for your life.

Never be unhappy for the way God made you or compare yourself with other people. The purpose of your creation is different from that of any other person. Don’t question God on why you were born by your parents or in your town or at that particular time of the year. There is a purpose for that.

The most important question to ask God is the purpose of your creation. Until you have the answer, you may not do what you are expected to do or become the person you are expected to be. This basically means that you cannot fulfill God’s purpose for your life. When that purpose is not discovered, you can misuse or misapply your potentials.

Misuse is common among people. When a medicine is prescribed for pains and you take it for relieving cough, you have misused this medicine because it was not prepared for that purpose. I was somewhere in a village for a traditional ceremony. When kola nuts and garden eggs were served, I noticed that the container was a plastic toilet seat cover. The family found it useful as a tray. But since the manufacturer did not design the toilet seat cover to be used as a tray, it was a misuse or misapplication. Likewise, everyone is designed for a purpose but can deviate from that purpose.

Purpose can be misdirected or completely lost through distractions, unhealthy relationships, limiting beliefs, societal pressure, and so on. Satan takes interest in causing people to miss their life purpose. He enjoys seeing God’s people miss their destiny. May you not miss yours!

The Cost of Malaria Treatment: Nigerians React (VIDEO)

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12/05/2019

Ending malaria and its avoidable deaths — Malaria Patient lying on the bed

Sequel to the celebration of World Malaria Day on 25 April, 2019, which was marked globally, Nigerians have bared their minds on the cost of treating malaria in the country, while they have called on the government to make Universal Health Coverage a reality in the nation.

Hear them out:

What do you Understand by Urinary Retention?

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10/05/2019

6

Adverse peripheral effects, such as loss of accommodation, dry mouth, tachycardia, urinary retention, constipation are
related to:

a) Alpha adrenoreceptor blockade

b) Muscarinic cholinoreceptor blockade

c) Supersesitivity of the dopamine receptor

d) Dopamine receptor blockade

Ramadan: Scientists Validate Health Benefits of Fasting

By

Omolola Famodun

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10/05/2019

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have found that cutting your energy intake by fasting several days a week might help your brain ward off neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as improves memory and mood.

According to a professor of Neuroscience and Chief Laboratory scientist of Neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging, Mark Mattson stated that too many calories aren’t good for your waistline, and they are neither good for the brain.

Prof. Mattson, who has worked on previous studies establishing a connection between caloric intake and brain function, collaborated with other researchers on a six-month study of people practicing the 5:2 diet, which demonstrated improvement in participants wellbeing.

The study found that participants who practiced the 5:2 diet method ate 500 -600 calories on two non-consecutive days each week. Some alternate-day fasting regimens add in a third day of fasting each week. For the rest of the week, a person eats only the number of calories they burn during the day. Over time, this created a calorie deficit that allowed the person to lose weight.

Ramadan: Scientists Validate Health Benefits of Fasting

“Fasting is a challenge to your brain, and we think that your brain reacts by activating adaptive stress responses that help it cope with disease,” says Mattson. “From an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense your brain should be functioning well when you haven’t been able to obtain food for a while”.

Mattson explained that every time you eat, glucose is stored in your liver as glycogen, which takes about 10 to 12 hours to be depleted.

After the glycogen is used up, your body starts burning fats, which are converted to ketone bodies, acidic chemicals used by neurons as energy. Ketones promote positive changes in the structure of synapses important for learning, memory, and overall brain health.

Mattson advised that if one decides to try fasting, don’t dive in too quickly. The analogy with exercise applies here as well. If you’ve been sedentary and then all of a sudden you try to run five miles, it’s not very pleasant and you’ll likely get discouraged. It’s the same thing as if you’ve been eating three meals a day plus snacks, and then you’re not eating anything at all for two days; you’re not going to like it.

Interestingly, this is the month of Ramadan, where Muslims all over the world are engaging in their declaration of faith that involves abstaining from food and drink from dawn until dusk.

While fasting for Ramadan is down to spiritual beliefs, many others choose to fast with the belief that it is beneficial to their health. But does it? A number of studies have suggested intermittent fasting has numerous health benefits, including weight loss, lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol.

According to Dr Michael Mosley – author of The Fast Diet books – this eating plan can not only help people lose weight, but it offers an array of other health benefits.

“Studies of intermittent fasting show that not only do people see improvements in blood pressure and their cholesterol levels, but also in their insulin sensitivity,” he added.

Another study, conducted by Dr Valter Longo, biogerontologist and cell biologist, found that longer periods of fasting 15-30 days may even “reboot” the immune system, clearing out old immune cells and regenerating new ones – a process they say could protect against cell damage caused by factors such as aging and chemotherapy.

Longo, suggested that prolonged fasting may also be effective for regenerating immune cells, he explained that when one starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged.

Dr Razeen Mahroof, of the University of Oxford in the UK, also explained that the use of fat for energy can help preserve muscle and reduce cholesterol levels.

“A detoxification process also occurs, because any toxins stored in the body’s fat are dissolved and removed from the body,” he added, noting that after a few days of fasting, higher levels of endorphins – “feel-good” hormones – are produced in the blood, which can have a positive impact on mental well-being.

With the potential health benefits of fasting widely hailed by nutritionists worldwide, it is no wonder many of us are putting our love of food to one side in order to give it a try.

According to some researchers and health care professionals, there are some people who should avoid fasting altogether and who should not follow the trend. They include people who are underweight, pregnant women, people with type 1 diabetes and individuals recovering from surgery.

People who are prone to low blood sugar or easily feel dizzy or fatigued if they do not eat may not want to follow a diet that involves fasting.

Anyone with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, can consult a doctor before trying any diet that includes fasting.

One in Four Nigerians has Sickle Cell Trait- Prof. Afolabi

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10/05/2019

Worried by the gross ignorance of Nigerians about their sickle cell status, Professor Bosede Afolabi, has asserted that one in four Nigerians lives with the sickle cell traits unknowingly, while she has called on the federal government for a national policy on universal new-born screening to enable everyone know their genotypes towards ending sickle cell disease.

Afolabi, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, made this submission at the 341st Inaugural Lecture of the University of Lagos in Akoka on Wednesday, where she delivered a lecture titled, ‘Maternal Medicine: Journeys of Women in Pregnancy, Delivery and Sickle Cell Disease.’

One in Four Nigerians has Sickle Cell Trait- Prof. Afolabi — Inaugural Lecture Banner

She explained the urgent need for such a national policy on universal new-born screening, stating that many Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas do not know their genotypes, while they are carriers of the sickle cell traits.

Thus, to prevent further procreation of children with the trait, she pleaded with the government to support the establishment of this national policy on Universal New-born Screening.

She said: “If they are aware and decide to carry on a relationship with another person with the sickle cell trait, then at least they do so with the knowledge of the consequence and can plan for it. The government also needs to commit more resources to the care of people with this disorder by contributing to research and counselling, as well as subsidising their health care expenses.”

Speaking on family planning and the misconception of people against it, Afolabi refuted the different misconception attributed to it, saying contraceptives do not make women gain weight or delay pregnancy, as some erroneously claimed.

“The government should ensure free access to family planning and contraception to reduce deaths from unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. Limiting pregnancy also reduces deaths from pregnancy, as maternal deaths can only occur if a woman gets pregnant. People often talk of the side effects of contraceptives but even Paracetamol has side effects. Pregnancy has more side effects than all the contraceptives combined and so does unsafe abortion.

“The truth is that contraception does not stop you from getting pregnant when you are ready to. It also does not cause weight gain in most women. Most of these statements are untrue; so please let us encourage all women and men of reproductive age to avail themselves of contraception and reduce maternal deaths.”

The professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, however posited the removal of the barrier of cost and allowing free antenatal and delivery care for all women to ensure skilled health care at delivery, “either by taxing specific consumer items or by developing a mobile subscription-based community health insurance, because I know the money has to come from somewhere and I don’t think the government has the ability to pay for everything.

“The point is to make maternal healthcare free and this has been attempted and shown to work in Ondo State where they met the Millennium Development Goals for the reduction of maternal mortality”, she explained.

May & Baker Partners LAWMA to Celebrate World Malaria Day

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09/05/2019

Poised to rid Lagos State of malaria, the management of May and Baker Nigeria Plc recently collaborated with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), by embarking on an environmental sanitation exercise in Agege area of the state, to promote awareness on how proper environmental management can help reduce the transmission of malaria.

The exercise, which was in line with the theme of this year’s World Malaria Day celebration, themed: “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, also featured free screening of residents for malaria, and distribution of antimalarial.

May & Baker Partners LAWMA to Celebrate World Malaria Day — Malaria screening exercise at the event.

Available records revealed that an estimated 300,000 Nigerians die of malaria related illnesses annually, with urgent action required to address its prevalence. Globally, World Malaria Day, which takes place on 25 April of every year, is an internationally recognised day, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made.

Commenting on the campaign, Mr. Chukutem Chukuka, executive director, Pharma Sales and Marketing, May & Baker Nigeria said the medical outreach was designed to sensitize Nigerians about the scourge of malaria and guide them on how best to live a malaria free life.

One of the residents of Moshalashi Alhaja, Agege who benefited from the free screening was Yukura Ibrahim, a shop owner in the neighborhood. He expressed his gratitude to the pharma company for their kind gesture.

Another resident of the suburb, Mr Taiwo Adekunle, said he didn’t know he had malaria until he was tested and found to be sick of the disease. He was subsequently given an antimalarial to treat the condition.

What does the term “Bioavailability” Mean?

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09/05/2019

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What does the term “bioavailability” mean?

a) Plasma protein binding degree of substance

b) Permeability through the brain-blood barrier

c) Fraction of an uncharged drug reaching the systemic circulation following any route administration

d) Amount of a substance in urine relative to the initial doze

Participants Defy Roads Closure to Attend Livewell’s GHB 2019

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09/05/2019

In spite of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s one-day working visit to Lagos State recently, which led to traffic diversion on major roads both on the Mainland and Island part of the state, the eighth edition of the carnival-like Grand Health Bazaar (GHB) 2019, a 3-day cross-cutting multi-sectoral health exposition, organised by Livewell Initiative (LWI) met its expectations, as people from various segments of the society thronged the Havilah Event Centre, Victoria Island, venue of this year event.

The healthcare outreach, which was the eighth in the series was held from 24 to 26 April 2019 and had in attendance, hundreds of participants including several prominent companies, conglomerates and over fifty Livewell Initiative officials and medical personnel.

Participants Defy Roads Closure to Attend Livewell’s GHB 2019 — A cross section of LWI staff members with Pharm. Bisi Bright at the event.

The Grand Health Bazaar 2019, according to the convener and Chief Executive Officer, Livewell Initiative (LWI), Pharm. Bisi Bright, was an event organised and designed to promote commerce and industry in different segments of the health sector, as well as to bring together corporates and individuals in a multi-mixed setting, under the fulcrum of healthcare.

She rightly stated that the theme: “Sustainable Development Goals as a Catalyst for Enhanced Corporate Sustainability,” had succeeded in bringing high-profile keynote speakers from different organisations and they were able to enlighten and update attendees on new innovations in their various fields.

According to her, the sub-themes for the three-day summit were: Day 1, April 24: Entertainment as an Ingredient for Good Health and Wellbeing’; Day two, April 25: Coffee and Liver Health – A Workplace Enhancer; and day three, April 26: Food Day, ‘Adult Malnutrition as a cause of Executive Stress’.

PSN Inaugurates Inter-professional Harmony Committee

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09/05/2019

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), under the leadership of the President, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, has inaugurated an Inter-professional Harmony Committee, to enhance smooth relationship between PSN and other professional bodies, like the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and others.

PSN Inaugurates Inter-professional Harmony Committee — Members of the committee at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja.

Present at the inauguration ceremony of the committee in Abuja on Wednesday was the PSN President, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile, and other members of the group.

Names of the committee members will be displayed later.

NAPPSA Calls for Nomination of New Executives

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08/05/2019

Click the link below to fill the nomination form.

The Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) Nominations and Election Committee has invited members to submit names of potential candidates for election, into the offices of the president-elect, secretary, treasurer and NAPPSA Board members (9 open positions).

The association, through a press statement to Pharmanews, noted that those whose names are submitted in response to the call for nominations will be notified by 1 August, 2019 about the status of their candidacy.

NAPPSA and ANPA to Hold Opioid Workshop in Abuja — NAPPSA Logo

It further stated that election, by ballot, is in person and will take place during the Annual Conference in Atlanta (September 12 – 15, 2019), while adding that there is no voting by proxy.

The group has also notified all members that completed nominations forms and required materials must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, 24 May 2019.

Specific information regarding the positions include the following:

Executive Board/Committee: President-Elect –Two years term of office; Secretary – Four years term of office and Treasurer – Four years term of office.

Candidates to be nominated are required to have working knowledge of NAPPSA, via Board membership/committee membership/experience; must be a NAPPSA member, who has been fulfilling his annual financial obligation to the association, for the past four consecutive years; Making contribution to the Mission of NAPPSA; With strong leadership skills, and time to devote to NAPPSA.

The Board membership with nine open positions, with four years term, and could be re-nominated if desired, for another four years term. The association made it cleared that members to be nominated for these positions must have been making contribution to the mission of NAPPSA; must have being a member for the minimum of two years; with strong leadership skills and adequate time to devote to NAPPSA.

Newly Discovered Ebola Virus May Not Cause Severe Disease in Humans

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Omolola Famodun

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08/05/2019

Experts from the University of Kent’s School of Biosciences have provided evidence that a newly discovered Ebola virus may not be as deadly as other species to humans.

The new Bombali virus was discovered in bats in Sierra Leone and has also now been reported in bats in Kenya. To date, it was unclear whether the Bombali virus may be pathogenic to humans.

The study titled “Is the bombali virus pathogenic in humans?” was published in the journal Bioinformatics.

Dr Mark Wass and Professor Martin Michaelis, authors of the study, developed a computational approach to compare the amino acid sequences of virus proteins to identify positions that determine whether a virus causes disease in humans.

Newly Discovered Ebola Virus May Not Cause Severe Disease in Humans

Their finding showed that certain positions in the VP24 protein of the Bombali virus are identical to the Reston virus, another member of the Ebola virus family that is not pathogenic in humans.

It also showed that it is consistent with the origin of the Bombali virus, which was isolated from fruit bats that were cohabitating with humans in houses and other populated areas. Although this makes human contact highly likely, no disease outbreaks have been reported

Dr Wass said: “Based on our findings, it does not seem likely that the Bombali virus causes severe disease in humans. However, we need to be careful as we know that a few mutations may change this and result in another Ebolavirus that poses a threat to humans. Hence, Bombali virus evolution should be carefully monitored.”

What do you Understand by Anti-Inflammatory Effect

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08/05/2019

4

Which of the following statements concerning the anti-inflammatory effect of NSAIDs are TRUE?

a) Anti-inflammatory effect of NSAIDs results from inhibition of cyclooxygenase

b) Anti-inflammatory effect of NSAIDs results from inhibition of phospholipase A2 and reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis

c) Anti-inflammatory effect of NSAIDs results from induction of cyclooxygenase II expression which results in reducing

the amount of an enzyme available to produce prostoglandins
d) All of the above

Lagos Pharmacies Shut to Protest Non-Passage of Pharmacy Bill

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08/05/2019

Pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Chapter, has made good its threat to embark on a two-hour strike over failure of the Federal Government to assent the long-awaited Pharmacy Bill, despite its strategic importance in the fight against drug abuse.

Members of the association, throughout the state closed their pharmacies on Tuesday, 7 May 2019, for two hours and declined attending to customers- except for those in need of emergency medicines, in order to draw President Muhammadu Buhari’s attention to the burning issue.

The pharmacists asserted that further delay in assenting to the bill could result in loss of a great opportunity to organise the drug distribution system of the country along global best practices, as well as reducing the country’s growing drug abuse problem.

Community Pharmacists down tools, demands urgent passage of pharmacy bill — A cross section of the Lagos community pharmacists at the press briefing.

Lagos ACPN, in a press briefing with journalists at its secretariat in Ogudu, Lagos, noted that the Pharmacy Council Bill, having undergone all the legislative processes, was passed by both houses of the national assembly in 2018 and sent to the president for assent.

The ACPN Chairman, Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, however lamented that the association had been inundated with the report that the bill had been lost in transit between the Presidency and the National Assembly, adding that it is absurd, incongruous and unacceptable that a bill done in public interest would “suddenly developed wings and fly away.”

According to him :“It is a national embarrassment that a bill with such importance is missing and both the arms of government are yet to give any official statement regarding it, and we also consider this act, an act of corruption, with the intent to jeopardise the nation’s healthcare system. Meanwhile, we expect that all hands should be on deck to find this bill in order to truly prove that this administration has zero tolerance for corruption, as we are being made to believe”.

Obideyi said the reason for down tooling was to appeal to the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari to assent the bill and to inform Nigerians about the frustrations of the association about the way medicines are been abused and peddled with utter disregard for the lives of the citizens.

Also speaking, the duo of the Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. (Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran and Secretary, ACPN, Lagos, Pharm. Jonah Okotie, said it was unfortunate that the most important legal instrument that could curb drug abuse, is seemingly being treated with levity, adding that the bill, if signed, would empower the PCN in its regulatory activities, as well as making adequate regulatory framework for pharmacists.

Speaking further, Adeniran noted that the bill, if found and signed, will guarantee that Nigerians have access to safe, efficacious and affordable medicines, saying these are cardinal responsibility of every government to its citizens.

While inspecting some of the premises across the state that were closed, the zonal coordinator, Gbagada Zone, Pharm. (Mrs) Moyinoluwa Oshin told our correspondent that all her members in the zone complied with the directive from the National Executive Council (NEC), to shut down from 12pm to 2pm, in order to send a strong message to the presidency, while appealing to the federal government, to heed to this clarion call.

What do you Understand by Vinpocetine Action

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07/05/2019

Choose the appropriate mechanism of vinpocetine action:

a) It dilates cerebral vessels and improves blood supply

b) It constricts cerebral vessels and decreases blood supply

c) It stimulates GABA-receptors and thus increases cerebral metabolic processes

d) It constricts peripheral vessels and increases blood pressure

Lagos PSN Tasks New Fellows on Local Manufacturing of Drugs

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06/05/2019

Continue

President Buhari Should Sign Pharmacy Bill into Law, ACPN Appeals

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Omolola Famodun

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06/05/2019

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The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has recently called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the new Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Bill into law to strengthen action against illegal proprietors of patent medicine stores across the country.

The association said this would bring about a new agenda of efficiency, professionalism, self-sufficiency in local production and regulatory excellence in the pharmaceutical sector.

The ACPN has continued to evaluate recent public health concerns with regards to the increasing challenges of drug abuse and misuse in Nigeria, while stating the need for the federal government to give assent to the pending Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Bill.

In an Open Letter signed by the association’s National Chairman, Mr Samuel Adekola, and the National Secretary, Mrs Abosede Idowu, on Friday, the ACPN listed the gains inherent in the bill.

The group noted that the PCN Bill 2017 is very consistent with similar laws in the Commonwealth League of Nations, where regulatory laws and statues have become very sacred in keeping pace with the norms and ethos of public health.

President Buhari Should Sign Pharmacy Bill into Law, ACPN Appeals

The letter also harped on one of the philosophies of the National Drug Policy 2005 which is to guarantee that Nigerians have access to safe, efficacious and affordable medicines. This is a cardinal responsibility of every government to its citizen.

According to the document, one of the major benefits of the PCN Bill is that it opens a unique window of competence driven service rendition at all levels.

The PCN Bill also has the unique feature of unhindered empowerment, as all professionals and their cardres of practice are registered as distinct legal entities. It has also removed all ambiguities with regards to offences and relevant commensurate sanctions applicable to all players.

“The PCN Bill has also taken care of effective management of resources by presenting a robust and broad spectrum structure that can work maximally in the interest of the pharma sector, to enhance service delivery at all times.

The ACPN, therefore appealed to the federal government, to heed to this clarion call to engender a new agenda of productivity, professionalism, self-sufficiency in local and regulatory excellence in the pharma sector.

What do you Understand by Class IC Antiarrhythmic Drug

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06/05/2019

This drug is a Class IC antiarrhythmic drug:

a) Flecainide

b) Sotalol

c) Lidocaine

d) Verapamil

Ghana Launches Malaria Vaccine Pilot Programme

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03/05/2019

Sequel to the introduction of the world’s first malaria vaccine in Malawi, a couple of days ago, which witnessed a landmark celebration, Ghana has followed suit in unveiling the malaria vaccine for the immunisation of children up to two years of age.

As stated in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO)’s report, Ghana is one of three African countries in which the vaccine, known as RTS,S, will be made available for the immunisation of children. Now with the vaccine already unveiled in Ghana, Kenya is the next to witness its launch of the vaccine.

The release revealed that the Ghana-led phase of vaccine introduction, was lauded by WHO’s officials in the country, and the occasion was graced by Top health officials, WHO representatives, community leaders, and mothers and children gathered on 30 April 2019 to officially begin the vaccine rollout.

Ghana Launches Malaria Vaccine Pilot Programme — One of the Ghanaian children being immunised at the programme. (Photo Credit: WHO)

It was also stated that the Ghana-led vaccine pilot programme was supported by WHO, national and global health partners.

Malaria remains one of the world’s leading killers, claiming the life of one child every two minutes; most of these deaths are in Africa. In Ghana, about 20 percent of all children have malaria parasites in their blood.

Celebrating the feat, the WHO Representative for Ghana, Dr Owen Kaluwa. Said, “This breakthrough in malaria control caps a 30-year effort to develop a vaccine with proven results to help prevent malaria in young children. The malaria vaccine has the potential to save tens of thousands of children’s lives.”

He also congratulated the Ministry of Health of Ghana for its commitment to the RTS,S vaccine pilot and what it could mean to improve child health and malaria control.

Dr Kaluwa further explained the essence of the vaccine, saying : “The pilot programme is designed to generate evidence and experience to inform WHO policy recommendations on the broader use of the RTS,S malaria vaccine. It will look at reductions in child deaths; vaccine uptake, including whether parents bring their children on time for the four required doses; and vaccine safety in the context of routine use.

“The vaccine is a complementary malaria control tool – to be added to the core package of WHO-recommended measures for malaria prevention, including the routine use of insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor spraying with insecticides, and the timely use of malaria testing and treatment”.

The report highlighted the distinguished speakers that participated in the event, including the Director General of the Ghana Health Service Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare. Deputy Minister of Health the Honorable Alexander K. K. Abban gave keynote remarks and then officially announced the vaccine pilot underway.

Meanwhile Nigerian pharmacists are already asking the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) reasons for the absence of Nigeria, among the WHO list of African countries to introduce the vaccine.

The healthcare practitioners who expressed their concerns towards malaria burden in Nigeria, during the World Malaria Day programme, organised by AHAPN national in conjunction with the Lagos State branch, noted that Nigeria, having the highest burden of malaria in Sub –Saharan Africa, ought to be part of the first set of countries to benefit from the pilot vaccine programme, but the absence of the country from the list, does not mean well for Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists at the event, the National Chairman, AHAPN, Pharm. Kingsley Amibor, also expressed his disappointment at the development. “I was equally surprise, why Nigeria was missing on the list, and I guess the Federal Ministry of Health should give us some explanations on that, because with the highest burden of malaria in Nigeria, Nigeria should be among the first countries to run the pilot vaccine test”.

For the meantime, he said there is need for governments to set up preventive measures at eliminating malaria. There is need for vector control, while the governments must ensure the provision of insecticides treated nets to all at affordable cost, because the parasites operates more at night, thus if we can prevent mosquito bites, we can actually prevent malaria.

What Causes Sydnocarb?

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03/05/2019

Sydnocarb causes:

a) Decreased sense of fatigue, it facilitates the professional work and fights somnolence

b) The feeling of prosperity, relaxation and euphoria

c) Influx of physical and mental forces, locomotive and speech excitation

d) Peripheral sympathomimetic action

What do you Understand by NREM Sleep

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02/05/2019

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During slow wave sleep (stage 3 and 4 NREM sleep):

a) Dreams occur

b) The secretion of adrenal steroids is at its highest

c) Somnambulism and nightmares occur

d) The secretion of somatotropin is at its lowest

Sun Pharma Partners NMA, MWAN, to Mark World Malaria Day

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01/05/2019

Ranbaxy Nigeria Limited, a Sun Pharma company, on Thursday, 25 April joined the rest of the world to mark the 2019 World Malaria Day. As a key stakeholder in antimalarial therapy in Nigeria, the company organised malarial awareness walk, health talks and free malaria screening for thousands of patients in major hospitals across Nigeria. Some indigent patients also enjoyed free antimalarial medications on doctors’ prescriptions, courtesy of Sun Pharma.

Family medicine doctors at BDTH Kaduna, raised their hands to defeat malaria.

At the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, the programme which was organised in conjunction with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Edo State chapter, was flagged off by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. D.E. Obaseki.

Similar activities were organised in LASUTH, Orile Agege General Hospital Lagos, Lagos Island General hospital, OAUTH Ile Ife, UCH Ibadan, UUTH Uyo, FMC Asaba, FMC Umuahia, Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital Kano, Specialist hospital Sokoto amongst others, with a massive turn out of patients for free malaria screening.

Free malaria screening exercise conducted at LASUTH.

The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s theme for this year’s World Malaria Day celebration was “Zero malaria starts with me”.

What do you Understand by Reserpine?

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01/05/2019

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Characteristics of reserpine include all of the following EXCEPT:

a) It inhibits the uptake of norepinephrine into vesicles and MAO

b) It decreases cardiac output, peripheral resistance and inhibits pressor reflexes

c) It may cause a transient sympathomimetic effect

d) It depletes stores of catecholamines and serotonin in the brain

PSN President, Ohuabunwa Visits Plateau State

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30/04/2019

The President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa was in Plateau State recently on a working visit.

During the visit of the PSN helmsman, the PSN, Plateau State Chapter, held a grand reception to receive him in Jos. The grand reception was graced by members of the Plateau State PSN led by the Chairman, Pharm. (Dr) Dauda Dangiwa.

The PSN president during the Plateau trip also visited the home of the oldest pharmacist in Plateau State, Chief Bouyen Longmiap Lawrence, a Fellow of the PSN; paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Plateau State, Samson Lalong and visited the factory of Grand Cereals Limited, makers of Grand oil.

A grand dinner graced by many pharmacists, friends of pharmacy and the Old Boys Association of Owerri Government Secondary School (OGGS) was organised to round off the PSN president’s visit. Mazi Ohuabunwa who is an Alumnus of OGGS was also conferred with a chieftaincy tittle of Miskoom of Plateau at the grand dinner.

Among the personalities that accompanied the PSN president from Lagos to Plateau State was Pharm. Bankole Aminu Ezebuilo, MD, Kayhelt Pharma/chairman, Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Crocodile 2019.

What do you Understand by Anesthetic Properties?

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30/04/2019

12

Inhaled anesthetics and intravenous agents having general anesthetic properties:

a) Directly activate GABAA receptors

b) Facilitate GABA action but have no direct action on GABAA receptors

c) Reduce the excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission

d) Increase the duration of opening of nicotine-activated potassium channels

New WHO Report Indicates Global Rise in Measles

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29/04/2019

A new report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates an alarming increase in the number of reported cases of measles in all regions of the world.

WHO released the data on the state of measles outbreak globally, from 2016 to 2018, on its website on Saturday in commemoration of the 2019 “World Immunisation Week” held on the last week of April annually.

According to the report, the number of reported cases of measles outbreak in America increased from 12 cases in 2016 to 775 in 2017 and 16,689 in 2018.

It said that in Africa, reported cases of measles stood at 36,269 in 2016, 72,603 in 2017 and 55,445 in 2018.

The report said that although the African region saw a decline in number of cases in 2018, it remained the region with the highest burden of the disease.

New WHO Report Indicates Global Rise in Measles

The report said this was because Africa still suffered greatly from poverty and conflict increasing the challenge of access to vaccine services.

It also said that although cases of measles have been increasing globally in recent years jeopardising decades of efforts, the number of deaths has, however, drastically reduced from the 1960’s to date.

“Based on the latest data, measles case reports doubled globally from 2017 to 2018 with all regions of the world experiencing large and often protracted outbreaks of the disease.

“The America(n)s experienced a sharp increase from 12 cases in 2016 to 775 in 2017 and 16,689 in 2018 while Europe had 4,363 cases in 2016, 24,356 cases in 2017 and 83,540 in 2018.

“Africa had 36,269 cases in 2016, 72,603 reported cases in 2017 and a decline to 55,445 cases in 2018. For Eastern Mediterranean, cases of measles increased from 6,275 in 2016 to 36,427 in 2017 and 57,054 cases in 2018.

“In South-East Asia cases of measles increased from 27,530 in 2016 to 28,474 in 2017 and 82,929 in 2018. The Western Pacific had a total number of 57,879 cases in 2016, 10,695 cases in 2017 and 30,388 cases in 2018.

“According to preliminary WHO data, measles increased by around 300 per cent globally in the first three months of 2019, compared to the same time last year, with sizeable rises in all regions of the world.

“In 1963, measles alone caused approximately 2.6 million deaths every year but today, it has been reduced to 110,000 which indicate a 95 per cent reduction.

“The reasons for children not getting their vaccines are diverse. The majority are the consequence of a fundamental lack of access to vaccination services with Sub-Saharan Africa having the lowest coverage and accounting for the largest part of the increase and the greatest burden of cases,” the report said.

The report said that globally, some countries were particularly peculiar with fewer than half of the children in these countries getting immunized thereby accounting for 60 per cent of global figures.

It listed the countries to include: Afghanistan, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, and South Africa.

The world health body said that most of the un-vaccinated in these countries were living in areas where there were serious poverty and conflict.

It said that this caused them to constantly be on the move making it a challenge to receive access to immunization services.

WHO said that in regions with historically high rates of immunization however, complacency from parents, health providers, government and politicians played a role in the increase of outbreak.

“Measles is in itself very serious. Even in high-income countries, the disease results in hospitalization in up to a quarter of cases but experts warn it can also be ‘a litmus test’ of things to come.

“85 per cent of the world’s children which increased from around 20 per cent back in 1980 now receive essential lifesaving vaccines protecting them and their communities against not only measles but also diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and polio.

“This level of protection comes through a strong global push to increase vaccine access and affordability with support in recent decades from new partnerships like GAVI, the vaccine alliance which is focusing on expanding vaccine availability in the poorest countries and the Measles & Rubella Initiative.”

(NAN)

What do you Understand by Levodopa?

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29/04/2019