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How I Became First Nigerian Pharmacist on Pfizer’s Board – Tade

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Deacon Adebowale Robert Tade is a pharmacist of repute whose vast experience in pharma marketing, administration and human resource management is renowned. In this interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, the former Pfizer Specialties and Livestock Feeds Limited czar chronicled his journey, trials and triumph with the multinational company. Excerpts:

What was your first work experience like?

My first experience was with Burroughs Wellcome. I was one of those who first launched Septrin, Actifed, Neosporins and some others. I later moved up north and worked with Beecham. At a point, I wasn’t satisfied with the state of things at the company because I was the only sales representative covering most of the then northern states up to Lake Chad. I was always busy travelling from one end to the other. Eventually I got fed up. One day, I paused and asked myself what I was doing in the Chad area. I left the company and returned to the south.

At what point did you join Pfizer?

I got an appointment with Pfizer after I went back to the south in 1973 as a medical representative. I got promoted as the ethical product manager in 1975, after some very competitive on-the-job tests and interviews. Thanks to Pharm. Douglas Egbuonu for his forthrightness and the Late Pharm. Dr Fred Adenika for his thoroughness and leadership. I moved in quick succession from product manager in 1976 to marketing manager in 1978 and head of the pharmaceutical division as division manager in 1981. By dint of hard work, I worked my way up to becoming Pfizer’s deputy managing director in 1985, the first Nigerian pharmacist to be so appointed and also elected to the Board of Directors of the company.

Many believe rising to become Pfizer’s deputy managing director (DMD) was perhaps your greatest achievement. How would you react to that?

I wouldn’t say my position as DMD was my biggest achievement. I happened to be the first Nigerian pharmacist to be on the board of Pfizer Products Plc in 1985. You can imagine all the pharmacists around me then. They were full of joy. The likes of Sam Ohuabunwa, Ajibade Adeshina and the late Dr Olukoya. We had all been looking forward to the time when a Nigerian would be on the board of great Pfizer. We had some pharmacists who passed through Pfizer but never made it to the board. They were there partly as managers.

Deacon Adebowale Robert Tade

Do you remember any of such managers?

In those days, someone like Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi was a general manager but was never brought to the board. In fact, he did not stay for too long. A very energetic guy, Julius was always on the move. I was then the deputy managing director for Pfizer at that time. But I didn’t see it as my greatest achievement actually. In fact, when I relocated to livestock feed to be chairman and managing director, I still did not see that as my biggest achievement. What many people missed out on my profile is that in 1998, I became the country manager/managing director of Pfizer Anglophone West Africa. That is one area I know many people miss out when writing about me. I ran Livestock Feeds from 1998 and retired in 2005. I would see myself as the longest serving Nigerian pharmacist on the board of Pfizer.

What then led to the management buy-out that allegedly divided Pfizer?

There is what we call buy-over (management buy-out) when Pfizer sold 60 per cent equity in Livestock Feeds Plc and in Pfizer Products Plc. That was done in 1992/1993 or thereabout. It was at that time that Neimeth International bought 60 per cent of Pfizer’s shareholdings. Another group also came forward to buy over Pfizer’s 50 per cent equity in Livestock Feeds Plc and I was named the chairman and managing director of the then Livestock Feeds Plc at that time.

My good professional colleague and respected junior, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, was made chairman/managing director of Pfizer Products Plc.  In 1998, Pfizer thought it fit that their 100 per cent other outfit, Pfizer Specialties Limited, needed a Nigerian head and I was appointed chairman/managing director of Pfizer Specialties Limited.

How was the structure of the place when Pfizer divested?

When Pfizer divested from Nigeria, all their researched products began to be promoted, sold and managed by Pfizer Specialties Limited to date. The old products were left with Neimeth while the new ones (researched products) were put in charge of Pfizer Specialties Limited.

The person managing Pfizer Specialties, one Frenchman, whose name I cannot recall at the moment, was reassigned to another location in Pfizer Europe. That was how I became the chairman/managing director of Pfizer Specialties. It was in that position that the likes of Lere Baale were reporting to me as marketing director while people like Yinka Obadina were reporting to me as finance director as well as the human resource manager and other directors. I was in that position till July 2005.

In all, I spent about eight years on that seat. That probably made me the longest serving Nigerian Pharmacist as chairman and managing director of Pfizer Specialties and many of its outfits anyway. I believe the reason such key information is often missed out is probably because I still retained my chairmanship of Livestock Feeds Plc (non-executive chairman).

Do you now understand? That indeed overshadowed my position as chairman/managing director of Pfizer Specialties Limited. So that is me!

Which did you find most challenging among all the appointments you had?

If you ask for the most challenging, I would say the one I had as chairman/managing director of Pfizer Specialties Limited. Beside Nigeria, I was in charge of Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Not just that, I was on the board of the companies there.

How many Nigerians do we have, even to date, with such responsibilities – chairman/managing director of their companies in Anglophone West Africa? That was my job and I found it quite challenging. We were actively on ground, not on paper.

Prior to my assumption to that office, such responsibilities attached to the position, including the ones held by the Frenchman, were merely seen on paper. But now, the actual work had begun. We operated in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and, of course, Nigeria. Such a huge task it was!

You can imagine the several times we travelled there, we made use of Slok Airline that belonged to that former governor of Nigeria (Orji Uzor Kalu). We would fly Slok Airline to Ghana; it was that same Slok that would take us to Sierra Leone and other countries.

How did you manage to tackle all these challenges head on?

You remember that I told you I had able lieutenants like Lere Baale, who is still quite active and energetic to date; the finance director and also my marketing directors. Of course, we made sure that we had good people on ground to do the job. I guess that aptly sums up my 32 years of working with Pfizer.

Many people see the newly appointed NAFDAC boss as another Dora Akunyili. Do you support this notion?

Well, Dora stood for something which was passion. Passion for the job at that time. Fake and counterfeit drugs everywhere. She understood the hazard and the impact on Nigerians. She knew all those and still developed that passion to tackle it. It was that passion that saw her through the hazard of the job successfully.

Dora knew a lot about all these fake drugs, substandard medicines, parallel imports and those things that were wrong with the system. And she came out to do a corrective surgery and sanitised the system. The man who came after her (Dr Paul Orhii) was just another appointment. He came with no passion! He was busy with his people thinking, ‘Oh! This is a big job of us (doctors).’

So, this new lady (Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye) being a pharmacist, I have no doubt that she too will develop the passion. The keyword here is passion. Dora had it; I believe this one too will do exactly the same thing. We need someone who is very disciplined, just as Dora was. If I may ask: Who could attempt to bribe a Dora? I repeat, who? (laughs). Don’t forget our motto that says ‘As men of honour, we join hands to make Nigeria great again!”

What do you know about Myasthenia gravis?

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1 ❏ has skeletal muscle weakness as a characteristic symptom
2 ❏ occurs in elderly patients
3 ❏ is treated with atenolol

A ❏ if 1, 2 and 3 are correct
B ❏ if 1 and 2 only are correct
C ❏ if 2 and 3 only are correct
D ❏ if 1 only is correct
E ❏ if 3 only is correct

NAFDAC Set to Blacklist Countries with Substandard Products in Nigeria

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Temitope Obayendo
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-As American Business Council holds Breakfast Meeting with DG NAFDAC

The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Professor Mojisola Adeyeye has sent a warning signal to all importers of substandard foods and drugs related products into the country, saying the agency will not allow the country to be a dumping ground for such products.

Prof. Adeyeye, who spoke during a Breakfast Meeting  organised by the American Business Council, noted that it will no longer be business as usual for all foreign countries, especially the Asian countries, whose inferior and adulterated drugs and foods have flooded the Nigerian markets hitherto, adding that the agency will soon commence prosecuting any nation found culprit of this act.

Her words:“We are going to blacklist many countries, for instance, the Asian countries, which are in the habit of sending substandard products to Nigeria, because the country has been inundated with narcotic products, in fact, we will possibly prosecute any foreign company found guilty of the act henceforth”.

L-R: George Nasser, managing director,P&G; Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Professor Mojisola Adeyeye; CEO/Executive Secretary,American Business Council, Mrs Margaret Olele;Temitope Iluyemi, Director, Global Govt. Relations &Public Policy,P&G; and Olaseni Ashiru, government affairs and policy director, West Africa at Johnson and Johnson, at the event.

The NAFDAC DG, who briefed the audience on the new development in the agency, in the area of ICT, said they are setting up electronic platforms for all transactions, ranging from e-registration, e-clearance, e-permit, in such a way that companies can properly relate with them without face- to- face communication, which will make their work easier and faster.

She further assured stakeholders and investors on the best performance of NAFDAC during her tenure, stating that although they are civil servants, but they don’t work like civil service organisations, because NAFDAC is deadline crazy under her administration.

L-R: Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Professor Mojisola Adeyeye; George Nasser, managing director,P&G;Temitope Iluyemi, Director, Global Govt. Relations &Public Policy,P&G; at the event.

American Business Council Secretary explains motive for the meeting

According to the CEO/Executive Secretary, American Business Council, Mrs Margaret Olele, “The American Business Council is the voice of American investments in Nigeria and the Nigerian Affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce. Working with the US Mission and other partners, we drive trade and investment opportunities between Nigeria and United States of America in the interest of its member companies and both countries. Our overarching goal is to support sustainable socio-economic reform initiatives in Nigeria through public policy advocacy, promotion and implementation.

In line with the Federal Government’s objective on improving the ease of doing business in the country, it is imperative for stakeholders and the media to share their perspectives with the DG of NAFDAC, in order to have an organised and healthy society”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isoflurane is a (an)?

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Admin
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A ❏ antimuscarinic
B ❏ anaesthetic
C ❏ muscle relaxant
D ❏ anticholinesterase
E ❏ benzodiazepine antagonist

I am studying Pharmacy to care for the under-privileged – PANS-ABU president

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It was Donald Trump, president of the United States, who recently said, “Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing”. Thus, for Isah Dahiru, president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, what drives his passion for Pharmacy is, according to him, the desire to care for the disadvantaged in society. In this interview with Pharmanews, the 500-level scholar revealed the peculiarities of studying Pharmacy in the northern part of the country, as well as the achievements and plans of his administration. Excerpts:

What motivated you to study Pharmacy?

So many factors motivated me to study Pharmacy, but the most notable among them was my encounter with a pharmacist who used to visit my grandfather, some years back, to collect some herbal leaves that were mostly common in the north. There was a day I asked him, “What are you doing with these northern herbal leaves?” His response was that they were more effective than conventional medicines. Thereafter, he inspired and triggered in me the passion for Pharmacy. He made me to understand that, after my studies, I could standardise the herbal drugs.

Another reason I chose to study Pharmacy is that I want to establish my own pharmaceutical premises and take care of orphans, especially the almajiris (local name for urchins in the north), the homeless and those people with mental health challenges that are roaming about in dirty clothes, without shelter and without a good life.

I sometimes imagine the kind of hardship being faced by those who fall sick and have no means of taking care of themselves. I want to have my private establishment to celebrate the beauty of life with the less privileged.

Isah Dahiru, president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State.

How did you become PANS-ABU president?

My best moment in life is when I am doing something that will help somebody. When I was in 200 level, I had the opportunity to represent my class in the pharmacy parliament, a legislative arm of PANS. Also, in my 300 level, I was elected as the financial secretary of PANS-ABU. I also served   as the editor-in-chief of Pharmaceutical Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (PMSSN) ABU chapter.

In my fourth year, I was elected as the contact person and Nigeria’s official representative to the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF-Netherlands), concurrently serving as secretary general of PMSSN. The journey was not an easy one, but we made it all the way.

At the end of my 400 level, I contested for the presidential seat against two other contestants and emerged as the winner. My main reason for participating in my local chapter PANS politics is to deliver an administration that will maximise the potentials of my fellow students, both academically and morally, and to also make a history in the sands of time with regards to students’ welfare and accord them necessary opportunities that will make them better in their societies.

What achievements have you recorded and what challenges have you encountered so far?

We were inaugurated in January 2018. Despite that we have achieved so many things, notable among which was the free registration exercise carried out for newly admitted pharmacy students. We have recorded massive success in this regard.

We have our year planner which contains an array of our activities from January 2018 to August 2018 when we shall be handing over to the next administration. Our year planner contains projects which we have divided into recurrent and capital. Our recurrent projects are the activities that we hope to carry out on day-to-day basis. These include sensitisation programmes on drug abuse and irrational use of medicines, which will include drug tests, health outreaches, media reach-outs and many more. Provisions of notebooks, faculty cleaning exercise, academic symposia, recreational activities and talent hunts are all part of our recurrent activities.

Our capital projects are mainly structural establishments, such as establishment of students’ recreational garden, construction of faculty sign board, fluorescent inscription in all classes, door tags for staff offices, modification of our walkways and renovation of our PANS secretariat to mention a few. The journey has just started but we are much more than determined to fulfil on our promises.

The present Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ABU, Zaria, started as a Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology under the Faculty of Sciences in 1968. Over the years, what would you say have been the challenges facing pharmacy education in the school and how best can they be tackled?

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences ABU, Zaria, is no doubt one of the best schools of pharmacy, not only in Nigeria but around the world. The faculty started under the Faculty of Sciences, awarding BSc. Pharmacy; but over the years it has developed into B. Pharm. awarding faculty. We are hoping that the recent approval of the PharmD. Programme will take effect soon.

Challenges are inevitable; they are everywhere. As the students’ union leader, I interact with so many students, and the most common problem I often hear students complain about is the archaic method of teaching through dictation of notes, without adequate explanation by some lecturers. The world is more of a global village due to the influence of information technology; so, audio-visual teaching and other modern techniques are now the order of the day. Despite the availability of modern teaching aids, well-equipped laboratories and the digitalisation policy by the university, the archaic method of teaching continues to cause much hardship for students.

Accommodation problem is another major challenge being faced by pharmacy students, especially those in 300 level, in ABU. All 300 level students are not entitled to accommodation on campus, perhaps because they go on Industrial Training and Teaching Practice at this level. But 300 level pharmacy students do not participate in any out-of-school programmes as such. So it is unfair and unjust to deny them accommodation on campus. Through this policy, pharmacy students are made to suffer unnecessary hardship. We have been complaining over the years, but nothing has been done to solve this problem.                                    I think a major solution to this problem would be provision of a hostel, specifically for pharmacy students. In this regard, pharmaceutical industries and well-meaning pharmacists may have to come to our aid.

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) recently accredited the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in your school, alongside those of other 17 universities. How do you feel about this development?

I feel more than excited that our school has met the accreditation standard required by the PCN. Since inception of my pharmacy education in ABU, I have trusted the capacity of the school because the faculty staff are up to date, the students are ready to learn, and above all, the faculty management is ever ready to support any development that will move the faculty forward. So we thank almighty God for this achievement.

Are there challenges associated with studying Pharmacy in the north compared to the south?

Here in the north, the schools of pharmacy are very few, compared to the south; so this makes it very difficult to secure admission easily. Secondly, when I was at the PANS national convention which held at Nnamdi Azikwe University, Anambra in 2016, I noticed that the interaction and moral upbringing of pharmacy students in the southern part of Nigeria compared to ours is not the same with ours. I think the reason is because we have Moral Philosophy being taken as a course here; so those of us here hardly discriminate on the basis of gender or regional differences. I hope this is also applicable in other parts of the country.

When you finish from pharmacy school, which area of pharmacy practice would you consider and why?

I would consider community practice. As I said earlier, I want to see myself very close to orphans, almajiris, people with disabilities and those with mental health challenges. Community pharmacy, I think, can bring me closer to these categories of people. I also hope to help in fighting drug abuse and misuse.

Where do you see PANS-ABU by the time you will be leaving office as the president?

By the time I would be leaving office, I would love to see a PANS that has become far better than I met it. I am concerned about leaving behind a long-lasting legacy that would continue to have positive impacts on pharmacy students even when I am no longer here.

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Examination Notice

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This is to remind all that the resit assessment examination for foreign-trained medical and dental graduates is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 28 February 2018.

Venue for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) is :
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) National Headquarters
Complex, Suleja Road, Bwari, FCT

 

MDCN Logo

Time: Accreditation of candidates – 9.00A.M – 10.00 A.M
EXAMINATION:  10.30.AM. PROMPT

The CBT shall hold at two (2) centres as indicated below:

Centre 1:JAMB CBT Centre, Kogo 2, Bwari Abuja

Centre 2:JAMB CBT Centre, JAMB National Headquarters, Bwari Abuja

 

 

Timolol 0.25% eye drops is equivalent to how many mg of timolol/mL:

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15

A ❏ 0.0025 mg
B ❏ 0.025 mg
C ❏ 0.25 mg
D ❏ 2.5 mg
E ❏ 25 mg

Muslim Pharmacists Take Campaign Against Drug Abuse to Students

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Call for ban of Olamide’s Science Student song

Poised to stem the ugly tide of substance abuse and misuse, especially among the youths, in the country, members of the Muslim Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (MPAN), Lagos State branch, have advised Nigerian students to shun drug abuse and misuse because of the potential dangers to their health as well as their future.

The advice was given during a recent programme organised by the association and held within the premises of Ansar-ud-Deen Girls’ High School, Itire, Lagos State recently.

In her speech at the event, Pharm. (Mrs) Hafsat Adeshina,

Cross section of students and teachers at the programme

a one-time national executive of the Association of Lady’s Pharmacists (ALPs), noted that the programme was part of the ideals of the association, urging the students to shun irrational use of drugs and other unwholesome conducts, in order to safeguard their future and reduce the burden of diseases in the society.

She further admonished the youngsters to avoid drug abuse based on peer pressure, noting that many young people had destroyed their future as a result of using illicit drugs.

“The number one medium that exposes these children to drug abuse is peer pressure, when they meet their mates who engage in substance abuse and they too feel pressurised to do the same, from there they gradually become an addict,” she said.

Agbabiaka urged students to desist from cough medicine misuse

Speaking in the same vein, one of the speakers, Pharm. Hafsat Agbabiaka, advised the students to make use of the lectures and educate their friends and families back at home, noting that the health and social hazards of involvement in substance abuse have enormous consequences on their families and society at large.

Lamenting the rapid increase in substance abuse and addiction among youths, Agbabiaka said that many teenagers were abusing cough medicines containing codeine, stating that all hands must be on deck to curb the trend before it’s too late.

Speaking earlier with Pharmanews, one of the facilitators at the event, Pharm. Ismail Kola Sunmonu, said the essence of the event was to educate and sensitise the students on the dangers and consequences of drug abuse which according to him is on the increase in the recent past.

In his words, “It is disheartening to note that so many Nigerian youths are into illicit drug use, which is capable of ruining lives, homes, families and the country. And it is high time you and I rise to the occasion by saying “no” to substance abuse, which is gradually destroying the young generation in our country.”

Sunmonu listed the causes of substance abuse to include peer pressure, low self-esteem, need to ease tension or relax among others, unnecessary exposure to songs and videos that promote drug abuse, stressing on the Science Student song by Olamide.

According to him, the song is laced with lyrics that not only encourage the intake of hard drug but shamelessly misinform  the listeners on how to mix illicit substances.

“So, in my own opinion, the song should not only be declared unfit to be aired, but should be totally banned because the profligate mention and promotion of illegal drugs has made the song unlawful,” he said.

Appreciation to participants and organisers

In her appreciation speech at the end of the programme, the HOD, Technical, Ansar-ud-Deen Girls’ High School, Mrs Mariam Ajayi, who represented the Principal, thanked MPAN for the programme.

Success Story of Pharm Ahmed Yakasai (Video)

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Watch the success story of PSN President Pharm Ahmed Yakasai.

Remarks of Health Sector Stakeholders on IQVIA HCP Space (Video)

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Highlights of the launch of IQVIA HCP Space. Remarks from stakeholders in the healthcare industry.

 

Nurses Task FG on Creation of More Neuropsychiatric Hospitals

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Nurses under the aegis of University Graduates of Nursing Science Association (UGONSA) have called for the establishment of more Neuropsychiatric hospitals across Nigeria.

The Association observed that existing Neuropsychiatric facilities are stretched beyond their capacities due to increasing incidence of mental health challenges among Nigerians.

In a statement on Monday by the National Secretary of UGONSA, Nur. G.I. Nshi, the association said it observed that depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation and post-traumatic stress disorders are on the rise in the country, owing to unbearable level of stress probably orchestrated by the harsh economic reality in the land.

It said: “The existing mental health facilities have been overstretched beyond their capacity. Nurses and physicians in mental health facilities across this country are overworked beyond their carrying capacity and are adversely exposed to increased level of clinical harms. Regrettably, their hazard allowance remains the insulting sum of five thousand naira in a country that pays political office holders millions of naira as newspaper allowance.

It cited the example of the South-East, Nigeria and identified that the whole of Ebonyi State is served by a 24 – bedded psychiatric ward of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA). This ward has 26 nurses and 21 physicians, 1 EEG machine, 1 suction machine, 1 ECT machine, and 1 sphygmomanometer serving the whole of Ebonyi State and beyond.

With the current shut down of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, by industrial crisis, the Mental Health Unit of FETHA is now almost the only alternative for the people of the South-East, Zone.

This calls for urgent need to expand the Psychiatric Ward of FETHA to a fully fledged Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital. This should not only be for South-East zone. It should be replicated across other zones of the country as well.

The increasing incidence of mental health challenges facing the country require that we upgrade the existing facilities, update their equipments, build more centres, engage more professional healthcare workers and reward them appropriately by making an upward review of their hazard allowance.

It is high time the Federal Government made concerted effort to promote the mental health of the citizens- the statement concluded.

Pharm. Odukoya is our personality for February

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Pharm. Oladipupo Taofik Odukoya is the founder and chief executive officer of Vanguard Pharmacy Limited, one of the fastest growing pharmacy, supermarket and veterinary chain stores in Southwest, Nigeria.

An astute professional, Odukoya possesses a rich educational background, which includes a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Obafemi Awolowo University and a master’s degree in the same programme from the University of Ibadan. He further bagged a business certification in Budgetary Control and Business Administration from Lagos Business School. He is currently a doctoral researcher in Business Administration at Walden University, Minneapolis, in the USA with a view to earning a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

Pharm. Oladipupo Taofik Odukoya

With over 15 years’ experience in pharmacy practice, Odukoya is a top performing pharmaceutical management consultant, offering professional expertise in entrepreneurship, business management, market development and customer relations.

In recognition of his hard work and contribution to the growth of pharmacy practice, he has been conferred with various awards, including: Pfizer Award of Excellence in collaboration by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; Pharmalliance Inspiration Award and Award of Excellence by the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS).

Odukoya’s work experience comprises stints with foremost pharmaceutical giants like May & Baker and Nigeria-German Chemicals Plc, where he spent well over five years building his reputation as a top-performing market development staff. Among other proficiencies, he specialises in creating strong product identity and applying unique selling techniques in perpetuating corporate growth.

Odukoya has been successfully running his Vanguard pharmacy business for the past 11 years, with an annual growth rate that validates his judicious use of experience, skill acquisition and academic achievement.

Vanguard Pharmacy started out in a 30 square meters store in 2006 before moving to its current head office in 2011. It subsequently gave rise to the second branch in Ventura Mall, Ibadan on 19 July 2015 and also its Abeokuta branch 10 September 2016. Odukoya recently opened up his fourth branch in Osogbo last December and still hopeful of expanding the stores across board.

Married to Bolajoko Odukoya (now executive director of Vanguard Pharmacy), the couple is blessed with children.

Prof. Bankole Johnson: A Lifesaver of Drug Addicts and Alcoholics

By
Solomon Ojigbo
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0

Curbing the endemic abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs is a major challenge in most countries of the world. According to the 2016 World Drug Report published by the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, there are approximately 247 million drug users worldwide.

One of the significant issues concerning drug abuse is the high risk for developing an addiction. Efforts by researchers to find an effective treatment for drug addiction had proved abortive for years – until Professor Bankole Johnson, a Nigerian-American Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Neurology discovered that the solution was in topiramate, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) facilitator and glutamate antagonist.

Today he is widely acclaimed as a pioneer in the development of medications for the treatment of alcohol, as well as being one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject of drug addiction. He is also a licensed physician and board-certified psychiatrist throughout Europe and the United States and served as Alumni Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia.

Professor Bankole Johnson

Publication and recognition

Prof. Johnson’s research paper on his topiramate findings was published in 2007 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and titled “Topiramate for treating alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial”. Soon after, the work gained national and international media attention. The study results were featured on several media outlets and brought him greater recognition. He appeared in the Home Box Office (HBO) original documentary feature, “Addiction”, which won the prestigious Governors Award, a special Emmy Award, from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the year 2007. He has been listed in “Best Doctors in America” in 2007, 2009-2010, by Best Doctors Inc.

Interestingly, that discovery by Prof. Johnson was just the culmination of all the efforts he had made towards finding a lasting solution to the problem of addiction. In fact, as far back as 2001, his efforts had started to gain recognition and he had been given the Dan Anderson Research Award from the Hazelden Foundation for his “distinguished contribution as a researcher who has advanced the scientific knowledge of addiction recovery.” Two years later, he was inducted into the Texas Hall of Fame for his contributions to science, mathematics, and technology.

Educational background

Prof. Johnson was born on 5 November 1959 in Nigeria. In 1970, after the Nigerian civil war, he gained admission into King’s College in Lagos and received his senior secondary certificate in 1975. He also received a general diploma at Davies’ College in Sussex, England, followed by a diploma in French Studies at the Institute Catholique de Paris in Paris, France.

He was admitted into the University of Glasgow, Scotland in 1977 and graduated in 1982 with a Medicinae Baccalaureum et Chirurgie Baccalaureum degree. He went on to specialise in psychiatry at the Royal London and Maudsley and Bethlem Royal Hospitals, and to train in research at the Institute of Psychiatry (University of London).

In 1991, he graduated from the University of London with a Master of Philosophy degree in neuropsychiatry. He conducted his doctoral research at Oxford University and obtained a doctorate degree in medicine, Medicinae Doctorem, from the University of Glasgow in 1993. Most recently, in 2004, he earned his Doctor of Science degree in medicine from the University of Glasgow – the highest degree that can be granted in science by a British university.

Career

In 1993, Prof. Johnson joined the faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Centre in Houston and later became the deputy chairman for research and chief of the division of Alcohol and Drug Addiction in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Centre in San Antonio in 1998.

In 2002, the erudite researcher received the Distinguished Senior Scholar of Distinction Award from the National Medical Association. He also received the American Psychiatric Association Distinguished Psychiatrist Lecturer Award, in 2006 for outstanding achievement in the field of psychiatry as an educator, researcher, and clinician.

 Prof. Johnson is a recipient of the Solomon Carter Fuller Award (2009) from the American Psychiatric Association which honours individuals who have pioneered in an area that has benefited significantly the quality of life for black people. He also received the Jack Mendelson Award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in 2013.

Prof. Johnson has served as a board member of many prestigious medical councils and institutions in the United States. These include Medications Development Subcommittee of NIDA’s Advisory Council on Drug Abuse, (2004–2007); Extramural Advisory Board for NIH/NIAAA, (2004–present); and Medications Development Scientific Advisory Board for NIH/NIDA, (2005–2009).

In September 2004, Prof. Johnson accepted an appointment to serve as Alumni Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatric Medicine at the University of Virginia. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2007. In 2009 Johnson was named associate editor of the editorial board of The American Journal of Psychiatry, and from 2010 to 2011 he served as field editor-in-chief of Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Research focus

Prof. Johnson’s research focus is on the neuro-psychopharmacology of addiction. His work integrates the neuroscience and behavioural aspects of addiction medicine with the goal of formulating a more thorough understanding of the basis of drug-seeking behaviour and developing effective treatments.

The focal point of his research is the role and interaction between midbrain monoamine systems with a focus on serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glutamate and dopamine.

One of the interesting things about alcohol dependence is that alcohol itself is a weakly-addictive drug which has no receptors in the brain, unlike other psychoactive drugs. If it was powerfully addictive, almost everybody in the world would be addicted to alcohol. 60 per cent of alcohol-dependence is inherited and about 40 per cent is acquired. Treatment outcomes vary in different individuals because only the acquired traits of the alcoholics are usually considered.  This means that if you don’t have a specialised pharmacological treatment of any kind, then you would only be working on the 40 per cent of the disease, which is not particularly effective.

Another interesting fact is that alcohol dependence has a very high spontaneous remission rate, according to Prof. Johnson. This means that, of any given four patients with alcohol dependence, one of them will recover spontaneously in one year.

Prof. Johnson seeks to focus his treatment on the ambivalent, weak-willed persons who don’t really want treatment, because they’re the most vulnerable. His current research involves clinical trials and human laboratory studies, and includes neuroimaging and molecular genetics.

He now incorporates neuroimaging evaluations into his drug interaction studies to identify the site-specific effects of abused drugs and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential medications for the treatment of addiction. Current studies include a clinical trial aimed at determining the effectiveness of ondansetron, a serotonin-3 antagonist, for the treatment of subtypes of alcoholism, as well as a human laboratory project trying to elucidate the effects of naltrexone and acamprosate on hepatic and renal function in alcohol-dependent individuals.

References:

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankole_Johnson

Differentbrains.org: http://differentbrains.org/neurodiversity-overcoming-addiction-interview-dr-bankole-johnson/

http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Johnson-Bankole/

IQVIA HCP Space and Inter-professional Collaboration

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Admin
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0

The quest to improve inter-professional collaboration among healthcare professionals (HCP) received a major boost recently, with the launch of the IQVIA HCP Space, an online networking platform that could prove to be the long sought panacea for fostering harmony in the Nigerian healthcare system.

A careful analysis of the nature, structure, scope and objectives of the new networking platform shows that it is a trailblazing bridge-building tool that can help enhance not just collaboration among healthcare providers but also serve as a great means of enhancing efficiency, capacity utilisation and quality healthcare delivery to patients in the nation’s healthcare sector. This is because, to achieve better and desired healthcare outcomes for patients, healthcare professionals must work together in harmony and eschew competition while embracing collaboration.  This is the trend in developed climes that are making giant strides in healthcare delivery and Nigeria cannot afford to continue to lag behind.

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Olurotimi Awojide; PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; Chairman of the Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; NMA President Mike Ogirima; Assistant Director, Nursing Service, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Mrs Sola Aketi, and (behind) IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, at the event.

 

Indications began to emerge that the platform was poised to be historic and revolutionary in the history of the Nigerian health sector when key leaders of the various healthcare professions in the country jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pledge their commitment to support the initiative and other measures aimed at promoting collaboration and teamwork in the health sector. The signatories included Prof. Mike Ogirima, president, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA); Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); and Comrade Abdulrafiu Adeniji, president, Nigerian Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos State.

We commend the gestures of these healthcare leaders, as well those of the creators of this ground-breaking initiative; and  call on all other stakeholders in the health sector and, indeed, all Nigerians to make it a holistic success. This is not just because of the potentialities of the platform but because of its timeliness. This is the digital age and utilising the digital platform for interprofessional collaboration is no doubt the best way to go at this time.

It is equally noteworthy that the IQVIA HCP Space launch and the signing of the MoU by healthcare leaders is a culmination of previous efforts aimed at promoting inter-professional collaboration by stakeholders. The breakthrough began with the joint conference of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) and the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) held in Las Vegas in 2016, and followed up by the epoch-making symposium organised by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy in 2017, which was graced by most of the leaders of the different health groups in the country. It is thus gratifying that those noble efforts are moving for the realm of dreams to realities with the launch of this online platform.

We urge all health professionals and stakeholders in the sector not to allow the IQVIA HCP Space innovation to be just another layer in the talk of inter-professional collaboration in the nation. It must be embraced as a game-changer that will take this much needed partnership for progress by healthcare practitioners from mere talk to tangible and beneficial actions.

We also urge the regulators of all the healthcare professional groups, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the Nursing and Midwifery Council and others to also seize this as an opportunity to work together not just for professional development but for the good of the patient.

NIMR’s Laboratory Gets WHO’s Prequalification

By
Temitope Obayendo
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0

The management of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has announced the accreditation of its Centre for Human Virology and Genomics (CHVG) as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Prequalification Evaluating Laboratory.

Disclosing the feat to news men during a press conference at the institute’s auditorium, Thursday, the Director General, Professor Babatunde Salako noted that the NIMR’s Laboratory is the first to obtain such approval in West Africa.

The import of the achievement, said the DG “is that the laboratory is now listed as a WHO Prequalification Evaluating Laboratory to perform evaluation of In Vitro Diagnostics either coordinated by WHO or commissioned by the manufacturers”.

For Nigerians, he explained that the attainment of this WHO’s recognition will bring about a reduction in cases of misdiagnosis, as the institute has got capacity to determine best rapid test kits for the populace among all the kits imported into the country for testing of HIV,  Hepatitis B and C.

NIMR's Directors and executives after the press briefing

Narrating the approval procedures, Salako noted how the laboratory initially applied for the WHO Prequalification in May 2017 but was turned down due to some identified non-conformances which were fixed, and on their next visit to the institution, the WHO Geneva auditing team re-audited the laboratory on 22 January 2018, and after careful examination, the auditors were satisfied with corrective actions, thereafter declared the CHVG as a WHO Evaluating Laboratory.

The enlisting of the CHVG’s laboratory as a WHO Prequalification Evaluating Laboratory makes the total number of such laboratories ten the world over. They are located in eight countries of the world namely, Australia, Belgium, France, India, Nigeria, South Africa (20, Tanzania and United Kingdom (2).

The Deputy Director of Research, NIMR, Dr Rosemary Audu, noted another merit of the achievement, which is medical tourism. She said this will drastically bring about reduction in people travelling abroad over medical diagnosis, as they can rely on medical results from NIMR’s CHVG’s laboratory as authentic.

 

 

 

What do you know about Pharmacoepidemiology?

By
Admin
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11

Pharmacoepidemiology:
A ❏ is the study of the use and effects of drugs in a large number
of people
B ❏ concerns adverse reactions
C ❏ relates to drug elimination from the body
D ❏ is the analysis of drug disposition factors
E ❏ relates to drug wastage

Lassa fever: Edo Records 521 Suspected Cases in One Month

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1

The Director of Disease Control in Edo State, Osamuwonyi Irowa, says the state has recorded 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever this month.

Mr. Irowa, a medical doctor, disclosed this at the inauguration of the Emergency Operation Centre on Lassa fever in Benin on Wednesday.

He said 124 cases have been confirmed out of the 521 suspected cases recorded in 13 local government areas of the state.

The director also said 15 deaths were recorded with 509 cases under surveillance, while 10 suspected cases had developed symptoms.

Inaugurating the centre, the Deputy Governor of the state, Phillip Shaibu, said that the Lassa fever response mechanism was aimed at ensuring a coordinated control of the epidemic.

He charged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to encourage volunteers to support their staff for effective control of the disease.

He assured that the state government was working towards building isolation centres to decongest the patient population at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

 

(NAN)

Branded Drugs and Their Generic Substitutes: A Comparison

By
Admin
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23

By Ayodeji Oni

All over the world, patients seek cost-effective medicines. This means that they want drugs that are affordable and are still effective. This is valid, as it is standard practice to make treatment cost-effective. Generic brands are one way to meet this need, as they do not go through the discovery, development, research and clinical trial process of the branded drugs, and are therefore produced and sold at lower prices.

Branded drugs, on the other hand, are the innovators of the compound; they undergo laboratory tests, carry out research and development of the drug, and conduct clinical trials and market survey before being released into the market. This process is very expensive, as the estimated cost of producing a new drug is 802 million dollars. For the pharmaceutical companies involved to recoup their funds, they are given the patent rights that last for a certain period to make back the funds spent on the development of the new drug. This would translate into high cost of the drug to the final consumer.

When comparing generics with branded drugs, the most important factor to consider is the bioequivalence profile, which, simply put, is the rate and extent to which the active ingredient is available at the site of drug action when administered at the same dose. This also means that the rate at which these drugs are metabolised and distributed in the plasma, and eliminated in the blood, must be the same. Hence, the next time you want to purchase generics, do so from a registered pharmacy as this will ensure you get safer generics. Other similar characteristics branded drugs and generics should have include good quality packaging, same strength of active ingredients, same taste if in syrup form, and the same name of active ingredient.

 

Pharm. Ayodeji Oni

 

Some people’s scepticism about using generic drugs is valid as there are some that fall short of the above primary and secondary characteristics. It is however the prerogative of a registered pharmacist to guide the patient on making the best choice.

It is a World Health Organisation pro public health initiative for drugs to be prescribed using generics only. This helps with simplification of language to reduce medication error and also help reduce any bias to dispense only one particular brand/generic that may be adulterated or be harmful to patients. A registered pharmacy only procures approved standards of generics, making it less likely to come across counterfeit medicines there.

However, drugs with narrow therapeutic index (e.g. antiepileptic medicines) usually should not be substituted, as a little deviation in bioequivalence could cause therapeutic failure. However, the same level of observed deviations could sometimes be seen between different batches of the same brands, too.

With the wide range of generics flooding the market, the monitoring of standards to maintain the similarities between them and their branded counterparts is questionable. Much more effort must be directed towards ensuring quality control of generic alternatives. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out comprehensive tests to achieve this, thereby ensuring that the approval of these generic brands into the market is up to standard.

It is recommended that pharmacists, retailers and wholesalers ensure proper purchasing management and strict regulatory measures. Also, it is important that patients know the actual content of their drugs instead of only the brand names; this will enable the pharmacist give the best advice on their medications.

The need to creating avenues to enlighten the general public on the need to patronise only registered pharmacies cannot be over-emphasised, as they provide the most suitable range of branded and generic medicines to meet the needs of their communities.

Three Practical Ways to Make 2018 Your Best Year Ever

By
Sesan Kareem
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0

Life is a journey. It has a beginning and an end. Each year brings us a fresh opportunity to start all over again and work towards achieving our purpose in life. Since we use the Gregorian calendar to count our days on earth, it is quite logical to plan for your next level at the beginning of the year.

But then, it must be said that 80 per cent of people who set goals for themselves for the year often abandon it by second week of February. The questions include, why do people easily give up on their goals?  Why are few people moving from strength to strength year in, year out, while many other folks are stuck for years at a particular level? What differentiates between the winners and the masses?

I’ve dedicated 11 years of my life to studying personal growth and what makes the difference between the champions and the losers. Based on  personal experiences and result- oriented principles and practices that have worked for thousands of individuals from all walks of life for ages across the globe, there are three practical steps you can take to become a winner and make your 2018 your best year ever.

  1. Ask intelligently: The first step towards accomplishing any worthy achievement is deep desire. To ask for what we want in life with clarity. You need to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) goals. Write them down. Think through them. Read them often, at least twice daily. Your goals must connect you to your dreams. Connect your results to the right and genuine reasons that will inspire you not to give up as you strive hard to achieve your objectives. Ask intelligently, and you are half way to receiving what you ask for. Review your goals on a weekly basis. Monitor your progress and make adjustment as necessary. The good news about asking is, we have the power to ask as much as we deeply desire and believe we deserve.

 

Pharm. Sesan Kareem

 

  1. Believe wholeheartedly: Belief is a state of mind that gives you the confidence that what you asked for is already yours. If you believe it is yours, it is yours. If you believe that it isn’t yours, it isn’t yours. If you believe you can, you can. If you believe you cannot, you cannot. Believing is seeing. To the uninitiated in the science of achievements and the art of fulfilment, seeing is believing, and so they are stuck because they plan and work with little imagination and lousy faith. But the winners believe and they receive. True believing is characterised by deploying massive action, determination, persistence, commitment, concentration, creativity, perseverance and dedication on your road to turning your goals to reality. Believe in yourself; you can achieve your goals. No matter your level of education, desire or plans, if you don’t believe in yourself, you will keep getting the same results and operating on the same level. Use repeated affirmations and visualisation to boost your confidence level. It really works.
  2. Receive carefully: After asking intelligently, believing wholeheartedly by taking action and persevering until you achieve your results, the magical thing that will follow is to receive. Celebrate your win, but don’t rest too long, the work must continue. The entire process must be started all over again. You must be happy and contented for who you are and what you have accomplished but never be satisfied with your results. There is always room for improvement and the best is yet to come. Stay hungry. Remember, you are a champion.

I believe 2018 can be a remarkable year for you if you efficiently apply the above principles. It looks too simple. But don’t let the simplicity of the ideas above deceive you. True genius lies in simplicity. The above tips helped me to achieve amazing results in 2017 and they have helped thousands of achievers across our world to do the same. They will help you get amazing results if you apply them religiously.

I hope that by the end of 2018, when you look back to reflect on your performance throughout the year,  you will be so proud of what you have achieved and who you have become because you’ve asked intelligently, believed wholeheartedly and received carefully.

ACTION PLAN: Write down your goals, read them out twice daily and go to work on them. Use affirmations and imagination to build your belief system. Stay hungry

AFFIRMATION: I have made 2018 my best year ever. I am blessed and highly favoured.

Prof. Mora Launches Book on Drug Distribution

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Pharm. (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Mora, former registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), foundation dean, Kaduna State University (KASU), and visiting professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University (IUO), Okada, Edo State, has launched a book on drug distribution.

The book, The Lizard Shape Model in Drug Distribution in Nigeria, an updated version of the first edition launched in 2014 was unveiled during a well-attended ceremony held at the Empowerment Centre, Gabriel Akinmade Taylor Plaza, Allen Avenue, Lagos State recently.

The event was graced by stakeholders from both health and education sector. They included, Rtd Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, director general, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Chief Dr Stella Okoli, founder and chairman, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, who was the chairperson of the occasion; Prof. Gabriel E. Osuide, pioneer director general, National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who was the special guest of honour; Pharm. Dr S. Okey Akpa, national chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN); Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Limited and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, former president and chief executive officer, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc.

Dignitaries at the official unveiling of the book authored by Pharm. (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Mora, former registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN)

Others were Prof. O.O Kunle, acting director general, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD); HRH, Igwe Pharm. Alex Uzo Onyido, Igwe Ezechuan Agha 1 of Ogidi, Anambra State, who was the royal father of the day; Prof. Peter Aziba, who represented the vice-chancellor, Igbinedion University (IUO), Okada, Edo State; Pharm. (Mrs) C.C Onunkwo, who represented the director, Food and Drugs Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja; Mrs. Cecilia U. Gayya, director general, ASCON, Badagry; Pharm. Augustine Ezeugwu, zonal director, PCN, who represented the registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Elijah Mohammed, Mr. Abdulrahaman Rajab, who represented the minister of state for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar; Prof. U. U. Pateh, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, who reviewed the book and also represented the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), University of Jos, Plateau State, Prof. Nelson Ochekpe and Prof. E. N. Sokomba, former chairman, PCN, among others.

Speaking with Pharmanews, an elated Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora, noted that since the publication and public presentation of the first edition of the book in May, 2014, many practitioners across the country have been scrambling to get copies. According to him, the demand was high to the extent that the first 1,000 copies published were exhausted. This, in his opinion, justified publishing of the second edition which was an updated version of the first, with more recent data and information.

Speaking on the reason for the unique name of the book “The Lizard Shape Model in Drug Distribution in Nigeria”, the university don explained that the book is not on the biology of lizards, but rather about drugs that affect the human body system. “Besides, the manufacture of pharmaceuticals products to their ultimate destination in officially designated healthcare premises for citizens to access is a long journey,” he said.

What do you know about a Prodrug?

By
Admin
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13

Which of the following is an example of a prodrug?
A ❏ imipramine
B ❏ paracetamol
C ❏ codeine
D ❏ diclofenac
E ❏ paroxetine

Why Community Practice is most Challenging Area of Pharmacy – ACPN Editor

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Editor-In-Chief of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) Lagos State Chapter, Pharm. Paul Olatunbosun Owolabi, has raised the alarm over what he calls “incursion into pharmacy practice by charlatans and quacks,”  saying the impact of these groups is like an infectious disease that has entered into the system, silently killing the practice. Speaking with Pharmanews in an exclusive interview recently, Pharm. Owolabi, managing director, Lighthouse Pharmacy, Ifako/Ijaiye, Lagos State, equally tasked the federal government to help curb the rate at which young people are exposed to hard drugs in the country. Excerpts:

As an experienced community pharmacist, how would you assess pharmacy practice in this part of the state?

Pharm. Paul Olatunbosun Owolabi

I have practised in almost all the technical arms of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), but community practice seems to be the most challenging because almost everybody in this part of the world sees it is a business venture where they can invest money and make profit at will, without minding the professionalism aspect of it. So, the practice in this part of the country is greatly challenged.

Tell us about your outfit, Lighthouse Pharmacy. What is the philosophy behind its establishment and where do you hope to take the business to in five years?

We started about seven years ago to render pharmaceutical services to members of the public in our neighbourhood, both far and near, while prioritising family wellness, drug and health Information. So, in five years’ time by the grace of God, we hope to have more branches and many more services

What is Lighthouse Pharmacy doing differently as at present that stands you out in community pharmacy practice?

As I mentioned earlier, family wellness is our major priority and we are doing this with special benefit for the senior citizens, specifically those above 65 years, widows, and others. This is one of the aims and objectives of our non-governmental organisation called Charity Foundation, which is being run in partnership with my wife here in Lagos, Ifako Ijaye Local Government, to be precise.

As the new editor-in-chief of Lagos ACPN, tell us about your new position.

It’s almost a year now that I came into the office, so the position is an opportunity to serve pharmacy profession, passing vital and valuable information that will enhance the practice to colleagues through newsletters, journals, social media, online channels, newspaper publications and other medium, in such a way that the general public can also have access to information at their level.                                                                                         However, sponsorship is our major challenge, as there are projects to be funded majorly through adverts and donations, so that copies can be distributed free to all technical group members, even government agencies.

It can be tough combining community pharmacy practice with active involvement in ACPN activities. How do you intend to manage this?

Very tough indeed, it is a big sacrifice that I have to make, but I have the passion to contribute my little efforts, knowledge and experience in organising and forming a good structure to make things work, irrespective of the challenges.

What do you think is wrong with the way community pharmacy is being practised in Nigeria?

Most people think it is a trade business and not a professional service. Unfortunately we have allowed and are still licensing traders who are like an infectious disease to enter into the system. I pray they will not turn into a “cancer” before we realise that no matter how well you decorate a pig, it will still find its way into the mud. In advanced countries, only trained professionals handle drugs; but here in Nigeria, it is a free-for-all.

Drug abuse has been on the increase in recent times. Tell us your experience on this, and how it can be curtailed?

This is a full topic of discussion on its own because drug abuse in the 21st century has taken new dimensions. Substances that are meant for different use are being abused. This involves males and females, young and old, men and women, married and single.                           Recently the Nigerian House of Assembly raised the alarm over the rate at which cough syrups with codeine preparations are being abused by various categories of the population in the north. Some use them as beverages stored in the refrigerator. Tramadol abuse is on the increase. The heart-breaking thing is that a good percentage of the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow may end up facing the consequences of drug abuse, giving them no hope of doing well in future. Most become criminals like armed robbers, assassins, suicide bombers and rapists just to mention few.

Pharmacists who are the custodians of drugs have a major role to play. Drug manufacturers and community pharmacists do not need to wait for government policies or agencies before we do what is right. We must control the manufactured quantities, sales, distribution and dispensing of codeine-containing cough syrups, using our professional judgments, not allowing monetary gains to blindfold us.

How cordial is your relationship with the people of this community, and how lucrative is pharmacy business here?

God has helped us to be relevant in this community as we have intervened in many hopeless medical situations. Most of the times, our opinions are being used when certain decisions are to be made in the community. Our services and business angle is increasing on daily basis and people are willing to recommend us to their neighbours.

Healthcare Practitioners Adopt IQVIA HCP Space as Collaborative Tool

By
Temitope Obayendo
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0

-As NMA, PSN, NANNM, sign MoU

Poised to pragmatically drive cooperation among all healthcare professionals in the country, the leadership of the Nigerian healthcare team, comprising President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Mike Ogirima; President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; and President of the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Abdulrafiu Adeniji, have recently endorsed the recently launched IQVIA HCP virtual space as the long awaited collaborative instrument to bring about the desired change in the Nigerian healthcare system.

In addition to lauding the healthcare professional digital networking platform, the healthcare team leaders also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prove their unalloyed commitment to teamwork in the industry.

The health professionals took this bold step at the official launch of the IQVIA HCP Space, held at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, on 6 February, 2018, under the distinguished chairmanship of Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

Chairman, IQVIA HCP Space, Dr Femi Olugbile, while welcoming guests at the event, noted the aptness of the launch of the digital platform at a time when global healthcare delivery is expected to experience a disruption from the partnership of three global market forces of Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase.

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Olurotimi Awojide; PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; Chairman of the Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; NMA President Mike Ogirima; Assistant Director, Nursing Service, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Mrs Sola Aketi, and (behind) IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, at the event.

Updating the healthcare professionals on global trends in the industry, he said Amazon, the online retail giant known for disrupting major industries; Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company led by the billionaire investor, Warren E. Buffett; and JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the United States by assets, have signed up a partnership for technology-based healthcare delivery, in order to overtake traditional healthcare providers.

According to Olugbile, a former chief medical director of LASUTH, Nigerian healthcare practitioners therefore need to take their professionalism beyond the four corners of their consulting rooms into the digital space, as this is the only way they can outsmart non-healthcare providers trying to gain entrance into the service of healthcare delivery across the world.

On his part, Chairman of the event, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, explained how the newly launched digital platform answered the puzzle of over 35 years on how to build a bridge across all the healthcare professionals in the country.

“The story of IQVIA HCP Space simply put paid to my search of many years,” he says.

L-R:PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; IQVIA Director, Technology Solutions, AMESA, Mr Ravi Akella; NMA President,Prof. Mike Ogirima; IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Representative of the Lagos State Commisioner for Health,Dr Abiola Idowu, and the Chairman of IQVIA HCP Space Advisory, Dr Femi Olugbile, signing a healthcare providers Momerandum of Understaning at the event.

He noted that the platform will put a stop gap to the consumption of misleading health information on the internet by Nigerians, adding that it would offer patients reliable health information on their conditions and the best ways to go about treatment for their ailments.

The IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, in an exclusive chat with Pharmanews, explained the objectives of the platform. “The IQVIA HCP Space is the digital health technological platform, to provide that opportunity in a conducive virtual environment for verified healthcare professionals. The idea is networking, not just within healthcare profession but between healthcare professions.

“This is coming from the background of an inter-professional collaboration symposium organised by the Nigeria Academy of pharmacy, where all the major healthcare professionals were present, with keynote address presented by a former minister of health, Prof Eyintayo Lambo, under the chairmanship of Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

“The feat was achieved and a communiqué was signed, where healthcare professionals agreed to collaborate. Many times after intentions are generated, it is discovered that there are usually no tools to walk the talk. That is what HCP Space is all about. It’s a practical tool to help healthcare professionals actualise the desired objective of collaboration.” Asked about the modalities to coordinate operations on the platform to avoid conflict of interests, he said conflict would always be welcomed, but it is how it is managed that makes the difference.

He said: “To distinguish a civilised environment from a rural community, the demonstration of the ability not to allow conflict to degenerate into combat, will be highly needed. Conflict in itself helps to refine thought processes conducted in a civilised manner. Opinions cannot be masqueraded as facts, and while opinions are free, facts are sacred.Without attempting to curtail speech, there will be regulations. That is why the environment itself has the presence of the regulators. We have the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), we have the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). A profession is known, among other things, for the ethics and rules of conducts guiding it. Thus, there will be consequences for the flouting of those rules.

“So, that being kept in mind, people will be mindful of their behaviour. But more importantly, we are talking of very well-educated people here, and that is why we are saying that your regulator must approve of your licence before you are allow to be a participant. We also have an advisory board that will always ensure that communication is well coordinated on the platform”, he stated.

The representative of the President of the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Comrade Olurotimi  Awojide,  conveyed the views of nurses  to the audience, stating that  they were ready for collaboration. He however posed a request to the healthcare team leadership, asking them to brainstorm on how to rid the nursing profession of quackery, which he said had been a big challenge for them in the profession. He was expressed that the establishment of the platform would generate bright ideas on how to sanitise the environment against quackery.

 

Therapeutic Laboratories’ Boss Clocks 90, Celebrates in India

By
Temitope Obayendo
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0

It was celebration of life for the Chief Executive Officer of Therapeutic Laboratories Nigeria Ltd., Mr Joginder Singh Lalvani, as he clocked 90 years on 15 February, 2018.The birthday ceremony, which was well graced by his family and friends, was  a 3-day event, held in India.

Born on 15 February 1928, in India, he came to Nigeria as a young adult, then established his company, Therapeutic Laboratories Nigeria Ltd.

Joginder Lalvani (3rd from right) and his family members in a group photograph.

Therapeutic was incorporated in 1978 and started business as importer of finished pharmaceuticals. Local manufacturing started in 1988 with strict adherence to quality standards in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice.

 

 

Health Commissioner, ACPN Disagree Over Alleged Pharmacists’ Preference For Urban Areas

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13

-As Alkali plans satellite pharmacies in remote villages

Dr Jide Idris, Lagos State commissioner for health, has taken a swipe at what he termed “too much concentration of pharmacists in urban areas.”

Addressing participants at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), held recently at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Idris berated the preference of some pharmacists for urban areas without consideration for those living rural areas.

“There should be equity for all, especially people in rural areas because they equally deserve to have access to good health and quality drugs. But where they don’t have access, it is the responsibility of government to do so.

Pharm. (Dr) Albert Alkali, ACPN national chairman, and Dr Jide Idris, Lagos State commissioner for health.

“We cannot say because pharmacists are concentrating more on urban areas, we should increase their cost of care. No, we need to sit and find a way to address it,” he said.

Outlining the criteria for membership of Lagos State Health Service Providers (LSHSP), the commissioner stated that every provider must be a CAC-registered legal entity, fully accredited by HEFAMAA and have a valid bank account with BVN.

“In addition, providers must disclose governance structure, possess 24 emergency rooms for primary and secondary care facilities, have medical malpractice indemnity and ensure key staff are Basic Life Support (BLS) certified,” he urged.

However, in a swift reaction to the observation of Dr Idris, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos chapter, stated that the indictment of pharmacists by the commissioner was controversial.

Speaking with Pharmanews in an interview, Chairman of the association, Pharm. Abiola Paul-Ozieh, said: “I won’t say much for now. But I can say categorically that the comment attributed to the commissioner is not in good taste. Our interaction with his office shows lack of right intentions even towards the (same) rural communities.

“For instance, ask him how many clinics and hospitals are in the rural communities.”

Pharm. (Dr) Albert Alkali, ACPN national chairman, also expressed disagreement with the commissioner’s claim.

“Which amenities are there?” he asked. “If you desire to have a pharmacy in rural areas, you will definitely need to have a generator, among others. Even here in the city, one of our members was recently shot as a result of running his pharmacy for during late hours.

“It is not just enough to say pharmacists should move into rural areas to set up, the government must create the necessary basic amenities. In Australia, for instance, the government gives out subsidy for pharmacies to open in rural areas,” he said.

Speaking further, Alkali explained that the association had encouraged members to open outlets in every capital city and local government area, as well as the rural areas for those who can afford it.

“After all, we are serving the general public,” he said.

The chairman also took a swipe at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) saying enrollees were being ripped off.

According to him: “All over the world, people are contributing for all the healthcare workers, not just the doctors. That is not the case in Nigeria. Here, we have certain draconian laws and selfish individuals at the helm of affairs.

“Secondly, let us not lose sight of the fact that many of those who site their premises in cities don’t get prescriptions. Even in my position as ACPN chairman, my registered premises is yet to get a prescription. There is serious corruption going on in the health sector,” he alleged.

Alkali however reassured that the ACPN was working assiduously with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to enact a law that would see pharmacies having satellite outlets in rural areas.

He noted that the satellite pharmacy concept is one that will make pharmacies situated in urban areas have satellite outlets in rural areas. It is also expected that pharmacists who are not permanently resident in the area would embark on supervisory visits from time to time.

“This is to ensure that things are being done properly. Pharmacists who can afford to stay in such rural areas will be encouraged. But the least qualified personnel required to man those satellite centres are pharmacy technicians who have gone through basic training.

“It is not that we (community pharmacists) are insensitive to operating in rural areas. However things should be done properly. Before we reached the decision, our colleagues in hospitals, companies and industries were duly consulted,” he explained.

Also in attendance at the event were Dr Umar Sanda, president of Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria; Dr A. Adedokun, director, LASUTH clinical services and training; and Catherine Tanzamado, HCPAN AGM state coordinator.

Maximise Your Talents and Gifts

By
Ifeanyi Atueyi
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5

Talents are natural and inherited. They are natural endowments received through one’s parents at birth, from generation to generation. A talent gives you unique abilities. When you discover the talent that God has given you and use it effectively you will demonstrate your uniqueness and excel.

Spiritual gifts are supernatural and received directly from God at the time of the new birth. Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit. Lists of spiritual gifts are found in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:10-12.  Therefore, only saved people receive spiritual gifts. However, both natural talents and spiritual gifts are from God.

There are unsaved people who are talented in music, mathematics, athletics etc.  A person who is talented in music must learn to play an instrument and practise intensively. Talents are developed through hard work, practice and perseverance.

God can stir up the talent in someone for a special service. In Exodus 31:1-5, the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.  And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.”

History has a record of talented atheists, deists and agnostics. Examples are: Charles Darwin (naturalist, geologist and biologist), Thomas Edison (inventor and businessman), Sigmund Freud (neurologist), Benjamin Franklin (polymath, author, politician), Andrew Carnegie (industrialist, business magnate and philanthropist) and Julian Huxley (evolutionary biologist). These people exploited their natural talents and made great contributions to the world.

Spiritual gifts need to be exercised as the believer stays spiritually connected. He has to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Exercise of spiritual gifts requires spiritual growth and maturity. Spiritual gifts are for the purpose of perfecting the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4: 12).

Both talents and spiritual gifts are given to benefit others and for the glory of God. However, spiritual gifts are specifically for special spiritual tasks, while talents can be used entirely for non-spiritual purposes.

Talents possessed by believers ought to be surrendered and consecrated to the Lord and used for His honour and glory. For example, a talented organist may play to praise and worship God and a talented singer may use his or her voice to sing for the Lord.

Unlike talents and spiritual gifts, skills are acquired through training. We learn a lot of skills in our lifetime to earn income.  When our talents are honed through skills training, we are better equipped to carry our mission by serving others in the most effective ways. We are able to solve other people’s problems as experts or professionals.

Another expression is strength.  A strength is the ability to provide excellent performance in a specific activity. Your strength is created when you combine your talent, knowledge, skills, and practice. For example, to persuade others to buy your product, you have to combine your talent with product knowledge selling skills and soft skills. But your talent is the most important because it is innate and cannot be acquired.

When the Spirit of God leads someone to work in his area of talent, he will perform exploits. He will excel and people will benefit from his services.  God has promised in Isaiah 42:16, “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them. And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them. And not forsake them.”  Isaiah 30:21 says, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”

Test Your Knowledge On Drug Antagonism

By
Admin
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10

A drug that is an antagonist is:
A ❏ valsartan
B ❏ lisinopril
C ❏ morphine
D ❏ simvastatin
E ❏ insulin

WHO Recommends Individualized, Supportive Care For Positive Childbirth Experience

By
Admin
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2

Childbirth is a normal physiological process that can be accomplished without complications for the majority of women and babies. However, studies show a substantial proportion of healthy pregnant women undergo at least one clinical intervention during labour and birth. They are also often subjected to needless and potentially harmful routine interventions.

Worldwide, an estimated 140 million births take place every year. Most of these occur without complications for women and their babies. Yet, over the past 20 years, practitioners have increased the use of interventions that were previously only used to avoid risks or treat complications, such as oxytocin infusion to speed up labour or caesarean sections.

“We want women to give birth in a safe environment with skilled birth attendants in well-equipped facilities. However, the increasing medicalization of normal childbirth processes are undermining a woman’s own capability to give birth and negatively impacting her birth experience,” says Dr Princess Nothemba Simelela, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women, Children and Adolescents.

“If labour is progressing normally, and the woman and her baby are in good condition, they do not need to receive additional interventions to accelerate labour,” she says.

WHO on 15 February, 2018  issued new recommendations to establish global care standards for healthy pregnant women and reduce unnecessary medical interventions. The new WHO guideline includes 56 evidence-based recommendations on what care is needed throughout labour and immediately after for the woman and her baby. These include having a companion of choice during labour and childbirth; ensuring respectful care and good communication between women and health providers; maintaining privacy and confidentiality; and allowing women to make decisions about their pain management, labour and birth positions and natural urge to push, among others.

Every labour is unique and progresses at different rates

The new WHO guideline recognizes that every labour and childbirth is unique and that the duration of the active first stage of labour varies from one woman to another. In a first labour, it usually does not extend beyond 12 hours. In subsequent labours it usually does not extend beyond 10 hours.

To reduce unnecessary medical interventions, the WHO guideline states that the previous benchmark for cervical dilation rate at 1 cm/hr during the active first stage of labour (as assessed by a partograph or chart used to document the course of a normal labour) may be unrealistic for some women and is inaccurate in identifying women at risk of adverse birth outcomes. The guideline emphasizes that a slower cervical dilation rate alone should not be a routine indication for intervention to accelerate labour or expedite birth.

“Many women want a natural birth and prefer to rely on their bodies to give birth to their baby without the aid of medical intervention,” says Ian Askew, WHO Director, Department of Reproductive Health and Research. “Even when a medical intervention is wanted or needed, the inclusion of women in making decisions about the care they receive is important to ensure that they meet their goal of a positive childbirth experience.”

High quality care for all women

Unnecessary labour interventions are widespread in low-, middle- and high-income settings, often putting a strain on already scarce resources in some countries, and further widening of the equity gap.

As more women give birth in health facilities with skilled health professionals and timely referrals, they deserve better quality of care. About 830 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications around the world every day – the majority could be prevented with high-quality care in pregnancy and during childbirth.

Disrespectful and non-dignified care is prevalent in many health facilities, violating human rights and preventing women from accessing care services during childbirth. In many parts of the world, the health provider controls the birthing process, which further exposes healthy pregnant women to unnecessary medical interventions that interfere with the natural childbirth process.

Achieving the best possible physical, emotional, and psychological outcomes for the woman and her baby requires a model of care in which health systems empower all women to access care that focuses on the mother and child.

Health professionals should advise healthy pregnant women that the duration of labour varies greatly from one woman to another. While most women want a natural labour and birth, they also acknowledge that birth can be an unpredictable and risky event and that close monitoring and sometimes medical interventions may be necessary. Even when interventions are needed or wanted, women usually wish to retain a sense of personal achievement and control by being involved in decision making, and by rooming in with their baby after childbirth.

Source: WHO

Treatment of chronic constipation in Infants

By
Admin
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13

Which of the following may be recommended for use in a 3-month-old
baby with chronic constipation?
A ❏ glycerol suppositories
B ❏ bisacodyl
C ❏ ispaghula husk
D ❏ sodium picosulfate
E ❏ senna

Yakasai visits WWCVL State-of-art Facility, Lauds Workforce

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0

In fulfilment of his pledge, the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in conjunction with members of 2018 Conference Planning Committee (CPC) led a strong delegation on a facility tour of World Wide Commercial Ventures Limited.

Welcoming the team, Sherring Thekekkara, chief executive officer, Worldwide Healthcare lauded the efforts of the pharmacists saying they are the reason the Pharmacy profession is highly revered in the society.

L-R: Pharm. Victor Afolabi, CPC vice chairman; Pharm. Onyeka Onyeibor, CPC chairman; Pharm Ahmed Yakasai, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Pharm. Ukamaka Okafor, director, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN); Pharm. Emeka Duru, national secretary and Santosh Kumar, WWCVL managing director during the tour of facility.

Santosh Kumar, WWCVL managing director seemed to be in agreement with him when he remarked that the company holds the Yakasai-led PSN in high regard.

While briefing the team about World Wide Commercial Ventures operations, investment and expansion policy, Kumar explained that over 1.2 billion doses of drugs have been distributed by WWCVL in the year 2017.

The WWCVL boss noted that at the height of the economic recession of 2016-2017, the company further expanded employment up to 350 new positions without having to terminate any employee’s appointment.

In his presentation, Santosh described as eventful the journey of WWCVL when it started with only two global brands – GSK and Pfizer,  where a number of local brands were added to its partnership list.

 

L-R: Santosh Kumar, WWCVL managing director exchanging pleasantries with Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) while Sherring Thekekkara, chief executive officer, Worldwide Healthcare looks on.

“Within the same period, the WWCVL diversified their portfolio partner listings to include generics and locally manufactured products (from companies like Drugfield, Neimeth, Pharma Deko, Gemini and Shalina) hence demonstrating our commitment to the economic future of the country.

“Also, we have 10 branches across the country – Matori, Ibadan, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Onitsha, Enugu, Benin, Aba and Port Harcourt. We used to have a branch in Maiduguri and Jos until we had to shut it down due to insecurity” he added

Applauding his presentation, the PSN president remarked that he was quite impressed with the growth of the multinational.

“Although this is my second time of coming, I believe that you are adding value to the pharmaceutical industry and the country at large. I must also mention that I am impressed with the state-of-the-art storage facility and huge number of workers in your employ.

“At a time when many companies are cutting down on workforce, I am glad you did not take that route. This is why we cherish your partnership with PSN. At least, you can also tell from the powerful delegation I brought here today,” he declared.

On the issue of defaulting companies, Yakasai assuaged the company’s fear by encouraging the management to forward the list of the erring companies to the society.

“Both the PSN and PCN have disciplinary committees that take care of such issue. However you must ensure that the cases you are bringing involve pharmacists, not Idumota traders. Everything we do must be in accordance with the drug distribution guidelines,” he cautioned.

While taking the team on an official tour of the storage facility and controlled drugs cold rooms, Pharm. Lucky Ubokor, superintendent pharmacist of the company expressed delight at the massive turnout of the delegation members.

“It is visits like this that gives us the needed support for growth and further expansion,” he stressed.

Also in attendance were Pharm. Emeka Duru, national secretary; Mrs Adefolake Adeniyi, national treasurer; Arinola Joda, national publicity secretary; Oluwatosin Adeyemi, editor-in-chief; Onyeka Onyeibor, CPC chairman; Victor Afolabi, CPC vice chairman; Mrs Bolanle Adeniran, chairman, Lagos PSN; Steve Okoronkwo, managing director, Al-Tinez Pharm; Ukamaka Okafor, director, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN); Pharm. Ikenna Orakwe, member, CPC and Sesan Kareem, personal assistant to the president.

Others were Krishnaswamy Venkatesan, WWCVL senior assistant general manager; Pharm. Uduak Nwachukwu, regulatory officer; Joseph Falese, senior manager, logistics; Abiodun Alade, manager, logistics; Johnson Bamigboye, manager, logistics; Pharm. Victor Okafor, sales manager, WWCVL-Shalina division; Ronke Ayanlami, regulatory officer; Martina Shaibu, quality assurance officer and Blessing Bamijoko, secretary to the managing director.

World Wide Commercial Ventures Limited (WWCVL) is part of South Africa based leading logistics and distribution company Imperial logistics and is a licensed vendor to all major healthcare providers in Nigeria. It has also been described as a one-stop solution for warehousing, pharma marketing, supply chain, Sales& Marketing  regulatory ,  port clearance, transportation logistics and inventory management.

WWCVL houses many great companies such as GSK Pharma, Pfizer , GSK Consumer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Danone, Sanofi, Merck , Neimeth ,  Drugfield , Gemini .Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Sandoz,  Strides and Roche. Getz, Shalina Healthcare and Pharmadeko are the latest addition to the family.

 

JB Pharmaceuticals Boss, Nine Others Bag PEFON Distinguished Fellowship

By
Admin
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0

-As Foundation celebrates NBCC boss

In recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields, Dr John Nwaiwu, chief executive officer of JB Pharmaceuticals Limited along with nine other professionals were recently inducted as Distinguished Fellows of the Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON).

The induction and investiture ceremony held at the Hotel Victoria Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos on 15 February, 2018, attracted bankers, surveyors, pharmacists, technocrats and career professionals from all walks of life.

While presenting Nwaiwu with the distinguished fellowship award, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman, PEFON Board of Trustees patted him on the back saying he was being given such enviable recognition for being a consummate professional.

The remaining nine distinguished Fellows were Babatunde Ruwase, president, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI); Abdulrazaq Shittu, group managing director of Intertel Nigeria Limited; Adekunle Awolaja, chairman, African Real Estate Society (West Africa); Prince Adedapo Adelegan, managing director of Celtron Group; Adetunji Adetunji, chartered surveyor; Victor Alonge, senior partner, Nelson Thorpe Alonge Estate Surveyors and Partners; Olumide Ologun, managing director of Wemabod Estates Limited; Stuffman Ayo Faisal, managing director,VAS2Nets Technologies Limited and Ayodele Olaiya, principal partner, Dele Olaiya & Associate.

L-R: Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman, PEFON Board of Trustees congratulating Dr John Nwaiwu, chief executive officer, JB Pharmaceuticals Limited at the presentation of award.

Ruwase who spoke on behalf of the 10 awardees expressed appreciation to the Foundation visioner and trustees, while equally pledging that they would keep PEFON flag flying.

Reacting to the award, the JB Pharmaceuticals boss admitted that he was elated to be associated with a professional body like PEFON.

“The vision and motive is okay. In fact, it is what every professional should look up to and see how they can contribute to the welfare of the society,” he said.

L-R: Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, member, Board of Trustees (BOT), Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON); Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman, PEFON Board of Trustees and Dr John Nwaiwu.

Nwaiwu also expressed his worry about the slow pace at which companies are picking up after the federal government’s declaration that the country is technically out of recession.

“I don’t think it is correct to say that we have not completely come out of the economic recession. Prior to recession, the dollar was around N185 to one dollar. Now that we are told the country is technically out of the drop zone, the exchange rate is N360 to one dollar.

“This is not good for businesses especially importers of equipment and raw materials. Don’t forget that these people purchased them in foreign currencies. Everybody including local manufacturers are affected. Hopefully, things may improve by next year,” he opined.

In his vote of thanks, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, vice chairman, PEFON Board of Trustees (BOT) applauded participants for making out time to grace the occasion.

“Let me appreciate all the families and friends who came to show support to the awardees. I must not also fail to mention the founder – Dr Dipo Bailey. We are, of course, aware of the health challenge that confined him to a wheel chair.

“The recent death of his wife was a cause to keep him down. But I believe God has a special purpose for keeping him alive. That is why he continually gives him courage and strength to carry on with this foundation,” he stressed.

In a related event, the Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria also took out time to honour one of his distinguished member – Akinola Kayode Olawore, the 15th president of the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) who was recently decorated among 150 champions of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), United Kingdom.

Presenting him with an award, the BOT chairman declared that only those who know his worth can truly celebrate him.

“This is why PEFON deemed it fit to honour you with this plaque. You are successful today because you are a man of character and a responsible professional (to the society), husband (to your wife) and father (to your children),” he noted.

Other distinguished Fellows of the Foundation include the following pharmacist: Dr (Mrs) Stella Okoli, chairman, Emzor Pharmaceuticals; Dr Nelson Uwaga, former PSN president; Pharm. Olakunle Ekundayo, managing director of Drugfield Pharmaceuticals; Sir Nnamdi Obi, managing director, Embassy Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. Uche Nwana, managing director, Sylken Pharmacy; Dr U.N.O Uwaga, former president, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and PSN; and the current President of PSN, Pharm. Ahmed I.Yakasai.

 

Tips on how to increase appetite includes all of the following EXCEPT

By
Admin
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10

 Tips on how to increase appetite includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A ❏ vary food selections
B ❏ vary texture of food at meals
C ❏ garnish meal with herbs
D ❏ do not consume alcohol
E ❏ eat frequent small meals

Senate Set to Tackle Drug Abuse in Nigeria

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0

The Senate has unveiled a comprehensive framework aimed at providing effective leadership and administration of mental health and substance abuse cases in the country.

This is a fall-out of the upper chamber’s roundtable on drug abuse held in Kano in January.

A statement by the Media Office of President of the Senate on Thursday in Abuja said that the framework included formulating, developing and implementing national policies, strategies and programmes on the issues.

The statement said that the plans also entailed formulation of regulations to arrest the rising incidents of mental health and substance abuse.

The Senate in session

 

It said that the intervention comprised complex legislative framework for operations of law enforcement and other agencies toward reduction in the supply of illicit substances of abuse.

It added that sections of various legislations and policies that dealt with drug control were being pulled together and harmonised into one Drug Control Bill.

It said, “this is with clear mandates for the various law enforcement and regulatory agencies like NDLEA, NAFDAC, Nigerian Police Force, to develop framework for inter-agency cooperation towards drug control.

“It will also ensure that prevention mechanisms, timely, affordable, high quality and culturally-appropriate mental healthcare are made available to the public.

“Besides, the Senate will also develop a coherent legislative and policy context to address the control of drugs (Psychoactive Drugs) and interventions for people that use drugs.

“We will also address the lack of clarity and processes of agency roles and responsibilities and processes of inter-agency cooperation on multiple areas of overlap, towards the common objective of safeguarding health and wellbeing of the public.”

 

NAN

LASUTH Partners Apollo Hospital, Establishes Renal Centre

By
Temitope Obayendo
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0

Poised to reduce medical tourism in the state and the country at large, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has signed an agreement with the Indian based hospital, Apollo, to set up a Kidney Transplant Centre, for the benefits of patients and practitioners.

Speaking with journalists at the official launch of the renal transplant centre in Lagos on 14 February, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), LASUTH, Prof. Adewale Oke, explained the motive behind the collaboration, which is to beef up knowledge in that area of practice, as well as to improve the know-how of  Nigerian doctors’  on kidney transplant.

“We are partnering with Apollo Hospital in order to improve on what we have. Our arrangement is such that they will come, work with us, look at our patients, advice, and if necessary we will be able to send some of our consultants and resident doctors to their hospital.

The LASUTH CMD explained how far they have gone in the practice of kidney transplant, stating that they began since 2015 and had conducted five transplants with its indigenous doctors carrying out the surgeries.

He further explained that the partnership will afford the Nigerian doctors the opportunity to work in Apollo Hospital-larger renal transplant centre, and learn better on the skill. “We also want to create an opportunity to empower our doctors by improving their skills and there are two options;

“It is either we send our doctors there or bring the doctors here so that the skills can be transferred,’’ he said.

Prof. Oke also noted another motive of partnering with the Indian based hospital, which was to reduce medical tourism in the state and the country at large.

Oke said: “The beauty of reducing medical tourism is to ensure patients are treated here in an environment they are conversant with and among their relations.

“I am not saying we are going to do everything here. Patients that are identified to have special issues who we may not be able to tackle here, we may now ask the government or if they can afford it, take them to Apollo Hospital to have their surgeries done,’’

He said that LASUTH would also be extending partnership with Apollo Hospital in other specialties including Cardiovascular (heart) surgeries.

One of the visiting doctors, Dr Manoj Gumber, a Consultant Nephrologist, Apollo Hospital, said that renal transplant was the best form of renal replacement therapy.

Gumber said: “The government should understand that it is costly to do a dialysis programme, but it is cost-effective to support a renal transplant programme.

“No doubt, initially, the cost of the facility, exchanging ideas, and travelling may seem higher, but looking at three years down the line, the cost of transplant is definitely going to be low.

 

 

What do you know about Allergic Rhinitis?

By
Admin
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13

Which of the following is the most appropriate for the management of
allergic rhinitis?
A ❏ pseudoephedrine
B ❏ promethazine
C ❏ oxymetazoline
D ❏ diphenhydramine
E ❏ levocetirizine

How NHIS’ Usman Yusuf was Allegedly Found Guilty of Fraud, Misconducts by Probe Panel

By
Admin
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2

It appears the end is yet to be seen of the on-going case of the embattled NHIS Executive Secretary, recently recalled from suspension by the President Mohammadu Buhari . Although the Presidency or the Ministry of Health is yet to make the report of the committee public, the report has been sighted by Premium Times.

Below is the report:

12- Point Allegations

Mr. Yusuf ran into trouble after a petition by a group to the Presidency and Federal Ministry of Health raised 12 allegations of misdeed and fraudulent practice against him.

The allegations ranged from misappropriation of funds, nepotism, misconduct, flagrant disregard for  superior authority and use of inappropriate words on a senior officer.

Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf

Specifically, the ES was accused of mismanaging N860 million budgeted by the agency for training in 2016, flagrant disrespect for rules in the award of contracts for the supply of e-library equipment, award of media consultancy to his brother, and the payment of funds to contractors before supply of goods in connivance with the heads of finance and audit at the agency.

Other allegations include incurring expenditure above the N2.5 million threshold of the ES without approval of the supervising ministry, encouragement of the supply of fake products and substandard goods to the agency, inflation of cost of contract by over 100 percent, dropping of the name of President Buhari for disobedience of the Minister of Health, fraudulent practice in the selection of insurance broker for the scheme and collection of a flat rate of N7.2 million for registration of health management organisations, HMOs.

Mr. Yusuf was also alleged to have flouted the rules in granting financial assistance to a person who did not enroll in the NHIS, while denying such assistance to a staff of the scheme who eventually died. He was also accused of approving N210 million for electronic media operations without recourse to laid down procedure.

Presidential Directive

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the minister was directed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (who was at the time acting president as President Buhari was on medical leave) and the Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations.

Prof. Isaac Adewole

According to a source at the ministry, the minister decided to suspend the ES and set up the investigative panel in line with Public Service Rule No 030406 to allow for uninterrupted administrative investigation because he was not satisfied by the response of the ES to the query.

Panel of Inquiry

PREMIUM TIMES investigations revealed that the Minister appointed 13 members for the panel, with 11 of them drawn from the Ministry of Health, one from the State Security Service and the other from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission, ICPC.

But the ICPC member declined to sit on the panel citing the need to avoid a conflict of interest.

The panel was headed by a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Binta Adamu-Bello

A member who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES explained that the committee was constituted as an administrative panel by the ministry in compliance with the Public Services Act on investigating a public officer.

The source explained that the panel sat 30 times, while the subcommittees formed by the panel in the course of the investigation met 10 times each.

According to the source, Mr. Yusuf initially refused to appear before the panel but later changed his mind and appeared twice after the chairman of the panel persuaded him to do so.

The source told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Yusuf had to appear before the panel twice because on the first time he appeared in company with his lawyer but the panel said an administrative panel does not require the presence of a lawyer.

“When Mr. Yusuf came back, it was on a Saturday. We had to sit on a Saturday and he still came back in company of his lawyer who he said was there as an observer”.

Panel’s Findings

A member of the panel said Mr. Yusuf admitted before the panel some of the allegations against him but claimed ignorance of the public service code in his defence.

On the allegation of fraudulent use of N860 million for training of staff without due process, the committee found that the actual amount spent under Mr. Yusuf on training was N919, 644,800.00.

It was, however, noted that the entire processes and Mr. Yusuf’s actions involving all foreign trips, engagement of consultants and documentation of the payment process for the training, involving N508, 036,096.00, were devoid of due process. Therefore, the panel recommended that that sum should be recovered from the training consultants by the NHIS.

The panel also uncovered manipulation of names in the number of staff trained and number of staff on the nominal roll. It discovered that some staff who did not attend training were paid both course fee and staff allowances allocated for training.

It noted that the number of staff of the agency was 1,360 as indicated in its nominal roll. However, the number of staff trained by the scheme based on analysis of payment vouchers was 1,992, while the figure submitted by NHIS was 2,023 within three months. (October to December, 2016).

According to the panel, the Procurement Department of NHIS was not involved in the engagement of consultants for all the training programmes as the transactions were basically between the NHIS boss and the Human Resources Department, in contravention of the standard procurement process.

Kickbacks

Even more damning, the panel also found that some consultants were directed to remit part of their fees into a private account as kickbacks.

For instance, GK Kanki Foundation was reportedly directed by the Assistant General Manager (Insurance) at the NHIS, Vincent Mamdam, to pay N2.8m into a Skye Bank account with number 1040569204 belonging to one Magaji Garba.

The committee revealed that, “The total course fees paid to the training firms was N508, 036, 096, while staff allowances for all the training was N411, 608, 704; totalling N919, 644, 800.”

The committee also noted that funds were diverted through local and foreign trips in form of estacode per day and per diem allowance for NHIS staff, which were in contravention of extant rules.

Panel’s Recommendations

After its investigations, the committee made 17 recommendations to government.

It noted that Mr. Yusuf did not carry out his statutory function as an accounting officer, pursuant to section 20(1) and (2) (a-g) of PPA 2007. Hence, the panel recommended that he should be held responsible for all infractions observed in the procurement process of the agency for the period under review and should be sanctioned accordingly.

The committee said as the head of the agency, Mr. Yusuf was personnaly responsible for all administrative, procurement and financial lapses.

Aside recommending that some amounts be refunded to the agency, the panel asked that Economic Financial Crime Commission be mandated to recover N48, 378,800 paid to Katamaye Firstcall Hospital for the treatment of three cancer patients. Mr. Yusuf also approved the payment, although it is above his approval threshold.

The treatment of the cancer patients had generated controversy in the agency as a N16, 220,600.00 was released to treat each of them, although only one of them was an enrolee of the scheme.

The enrolee was a patient referred to NHIS by Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, but was eventually treated by Katamaye Firstcall Hospital, an hospital not accredited by the NHIS.

The panel noted that the hospital after collecting the money, in turned paid to Belam medicals.

On the foreign trip and training of staff by the agency, the committee noted some discrepancies in the activities and nominal roll.

The committee further recommended to government to carry out a comprehensive staff audit and streamline the bureaucratic setup of the scheme so that it can pursue the health goal it was established for.

EFCC Grilling Mr. Yusuf

According to a member of the committee who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, the EFCC was grilling Mr.Yusuf after the panel submitted its report and before his sudden reinstatement.

Another official of the Ministry of Health said he could not say if and what process of evaluation the report of the probe panel went through before government decided to recall Mr. Yusuf.

However, the source said: “It would be a bad precedent for the agency and the civil service if the recommendations of the committee were not considered before the reinstatement of the ES.

Premium Times

Top Signs Why Your Partner May Cheat-Researchers Found

By
Temitope Obayendo
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1

Still in the love festivity mood , when roses are seen everywhere on the street, with different surprise packages shared among loved ones, it would be amazing to know that even  at such a time, some partners cheat a great deal on their spouses for reasons best known to them.

Although monogamy was strictly adhered to by most Christians in the past, but it is obvious nowadays that people are beginning to debate the concept of monogamy, describing it as an artificial idea, while they favour polyamory- the practice of being in a consensual relationship with several partners at once.

This was what spurred the Floridian Scholars -Jim McNulty, Andrea Meltzer, Anastasia Makhanova, and Jon Maner — all of whom are from Florida State University in Tallahassee, to embark on a study to find out why partners are likely to have wandering eyes and unsteady hearts.

The researchers who found about six predisposing factors for partners’ sexual infidelity, from their study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, worked with 233 newlywed couples, whom they followed for a period of up to 3 and half years. During the investigative period,  as reported on Medical News Today ,it was said that the couples provided information about the evolution of their relationships.

A couple at the beach

Some of the predictors found for partners’ infidelity are stated below:

1.       Ability of a spouse to turn his/her attention away almost immediately from the photo of an attractive person. From what the scientists termed: ‘Spontaneous and effortless' tendencies, it was explained  that those participants who were able to turn their attention away almost immediately from the photo of an attractive person were 50 percent less likely to cheat on their partners  than those who took longer to enjoy the sight.

2.       “Similarly, those participants who readily evaluated the physical charms of attractive individuals as low had a higher likelihood of staying in their marriage — and their marital bed”, the team revealed.

3.       Age, marital satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, individual attractiveness, and a person's relationship history, are signs to look out for. However, the scientists found that younger individuals were more likely to betray a romantic partner's trust, and so were individuals who found little overall sense of satisfaction in their relationship.

4.       The less attractive a woman is, the more her likelihood of cheating on her partner. The team actually observed an inverse correlation between a woman's physical attractiveness and her likelihood of cheating on a romantic partner. Thus, women that the researchers deemed “less attractive” were actually more likely to opt for a little illicit fun.

5.       In the same vein, they found that men were more likely to cheat if they thought that their partner did not rate very high on the physical attractiveness scale.

6.       As regards sex and relationship histories, the study found men who said that they had engaged in a lot of short-term relationships before getting married were top candidates for infidelity later on.

To arrive at these findings, the Floridian scientists had subjected the participants to two psychological predictors of infidelity, which they called “attentional disengagement” and “evaluative devaluation” of potential partners.

This enabled to determine whether or not the subjects would be able to ignore an attractive stranger's physical charms, and whether they would be disposed toward downplaying a potential romantic partner's physical attractiveness.

TAKE AWAY

While the scientists maintained that their findings would assist couples and couple therapists to reduce the rate of broken relationships by watching out for these signs, it is our hope that partners will rate themselves on these predictors, and find means of boosting their relationships, wherever they are found wanting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swollen Eye: How Best To Treat it

By
Admin
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0

Periorbital edema is the proper term for “puffy eyes.” It refers to swelling in the area around the eyes, known as the eye orbit. But what causes periorbital edema and how can it be treated?

People can have periorbital edema in one or both eyes. When a person has periorbital edema, inflammation around the eye causes fluid to build up. It is this buildup of fluid that gives the eye orbit a puffy appearance..

Fast facts on periorbital edema:

The term refers to inflammation or puffiness around the eyes.

There are many different causes of the condition from health to lifestyle.

It is not in itself serious and is usually temporary.

What is periorbital edema?

Periorbital edema may affect one or both eyes.

Periorbital edema is not the same as having bags under the eyes, which is a natural part of aging. Instead, it is a health condition and is normally temporary.

Numerous different causes may lead to inflammation around the eyes, and they all result in a fluid build-up. It is the fluid build-up that gives the eye orbit a swollen appearance.

For some people, periorbital edema may come on slowly. This type of periorbital edema is described as chronic. For others, it may come on quickly and it is then referred to as acute.

Treatment options

Whatever the cause of periorbital edema, the following treatments may help to reduce swelling:

Cutting down salt intake: A salty diet can increase the amount of fluid a person retains. A low-salt diet can help to reduce fluid retention in the body, including around the eyes.

Drinking more water: Staying hydrated can help to reduce fluid retention, which can help reduce any fluid buildup around the eyes.

Using a cold compress: Cooling the affected areas with a cold compress can help to reduce the inflammation.

Corticosteroids: This type of medication can be applied as cream to the skin or taken as a tablet. It helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including around the eyes.

Anti-inflammatory medication: Medicine such as ibuprofen may be taken orally or applied to the skin. This helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including around the eyes.

Other treatments available for periorbital edema are specific to the cause. These include:

Antihistamines: These help to reduce swelling around the eyes if it is caused by an allergic reaction.

Adrenaline or epinephrine: This emergency treatment helps reduce extreme swelling caused by an anaphylactic shock.

Antibiotics: These may help reduce swelling around the eyes if it is caused by an infection.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of periorbital edema may include swelling around the eye, double vision, and being sensitive to the light.

The symptoms of periorbital edema include:

  • mild to severe inflammation around the eye orbit
  • double or blurred vision caused by eye puffiness
  • redness around the eye, alongside swelling
  • bulging of the eyeball
  • the white of the eye appearing inflamed
  • excess tears being produced
  • the eye appearing bruised
  • the eyelids being pushed back by inflammation
  • being sensitive to light
  • pain around the eye or pain when moving the eye
  • itchiness around the eye

Anaphylactic shock

If swelling around the eye is accompanied by other facial swelling or difficulty breathing, this may be anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic reaction and is a medical emergency. A person experiencing anaphylactic shock needs emergency medical treatment.

If a person thinks this may be the case, they should call emergency services without delay.

Acute infection

Periorbital edema may be caused by an acute infection. If a person has an acute infection, they may experience additional symptoms. These include:

  • fever
  • feeling unwell
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • tender lymph nodes (glands)

Causes

Causes can be grouped into the following types:

medical

natural

lifestyle

 

Medical

Medical causes of periorbital edema include:

  • mononucleosis
  • allergic reactions
  • skin disorders
  • thyroid diseases
  • periorbital cellulitis
  • Chagas disease
  • nephrotic syndrome
  • trichinosis
  • problems with tear ducts
  • conjunctivitis
  • eye injury
  • sinusitis

 

Natural

Some things that are a natural part of life may cause swelling around the eyes. These include:

Crying: When a person cries, their tears may irritate around the eyes. This may lead to swelling.

Aging: As a person ages their body expels more water throughout the day. This can lead to the body trying to retain more fluid, causing swelling around the eyes.

 

Lifestyle

Lifestyle causes of periorbital edema include:

Irregular sleep: Getting too much or too little sleep may cause a person's body to retain fluid.

Eating too much salt: Having a diet that is high in salt can make the body retain more fluid.

Drinking too much alcohol: Alcohol can cause dehydration. When a person drinks lots of alcohol frequently, it may cause fluid retention.

Smoking: Cigarette smoking can cause hormonal imbalances. This may lead to fluid retention.

 

Medical News Today

 

What do you know about Suppositories?

By
Admin
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8

The question below consist of a first statement followed
by a second statement. Decide whether the first statement is
true or false. Decide whether the second statement is true or
false. Then choose:

A ❏ if both statements are true and the second statement is a
correct explanation of the first statement

B ❏ if both statements are true but the second statement is NOT
a correct explanation of the first statement

C ❏ if the first statement is true but the second statement is false

D ❏ if the first statement is false but the second statement is true

E ❏ if both statements are false

Question: A disadvantage of suppositories for haemorrhoids is that the active
ingredients may bypass the anal areas. Suppositories are preferred for
the treatment of haemorrhoids.

Ebola, Lassa fever, Listed Among WHO Epidemic-prone Diseases

By
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2

For the purposes of the R&D Blueprint, WHO has developed a special tool for determining which diseases and pathogens to prioritize for research and development in public health emergency contexts. This tool seeks to identify those diseases that pose a public health risk because of their epidemic potential and for which there are no, or insufficient, countermeasures. The diseases identified through this process are the focus of the work of R& D Blueprint. This is not an exhaustive list, nor does it indicate the most likely causes of the next epidemic.

The first list of prioritized diseases was released in December 2015.

Using a published prioritization methodology, the list was first reviewed in January 2017.

The second annual review occurred 6-7 February, 2018. Experts consider that given their potential to cause a public health emergency and the absence of efficacious drugs and/or vaccines, there is an urgent need for accelerated research and development for*:Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF)

Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease

Lassa fever

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Nipah and henipaviral diseases

Rift Valley fever (RVF)

 

Zika

Disease X

Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease, and so the R&D Blueprint explicitly seeks to enable cross-cutting R&D preparedness that is also relevant for an unknown “Disease X” as far as possible.

 

A number of additional diseases were discussed and considered for inclusion in the priority list, including: Arenaviral hemorrhagic fevers other than Lassa Fever; Chikungunya; highly pathogenic coronaviral diseases other than MERS and SARS; emergent non-polio enteroviruses (including EV71, D68); and Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS).

These diseases pose major public health risks and further research and development is needed, including surveillance and diagnostics. They should be watched carefully and considered again at the next annual review. Efforts in the interim to understand and mitigate them are encouraged.

Although not included on the list of diseases to be considered at the meeting, monkeypox and leptospirosis were discussed and experts stressed the risks they pose to public health. There was agreement on the need for: rapid evaluation of available potential countermeasures; the establishment of more comprehensive surveillance and diagnostics; and accelerated research and development and public health action.

Several diseases were determined to be outside of the current scope of the Blueprint: dengue, yellow fever, HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria, influenza causing severe human disease, smallpox, cholera, leishmaniasis, West Nile Virus and plague. These diseases continue to pose major public health problems and further research and development is needed through existing major disease control initiatives, extensive R&D pipelines, existing funding streams, or established regulatory pathways for improved interventions. In particular, experts recognized the need for improved diagnostics and vaccines for pneumonic plague and additional support for more effective therapeutics against leishmaniasis.

WHO

Revealed: How Environmental Noise Could Lead to Cardiovascular Diseases

By
Temitope Obayendo
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0

That traffic or environmental noise could bring about heart diseases may sound strange to many, but several studies have found a strong connection between the two factors, which could be seen as an addendum to the list of traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Although previous studies have identified a correlation between traffic noise and heart diseases, but they could not establish how the mechanism works. However, the study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, has been able to uncover the mechanisms by which environmental noise may contribute to heart disease.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Department of Internal Medicine at University Medical Centre Mainz of Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, and reported by Medical Online Today, reviewed the available scientific literature on the topic.

Revealed: How Environmental Noise Could Lead to Cardiovascular Diseases
Environmental noise in Lagos

The German scientists assessed recent evidence of the link between heart diseases and environmental noise and reviewed studies that investigated how the non-auditory effects of noise might impact the cardiovascular system.

To arrive at robust findings, they also reviewed studies on the effects of noise on the nervous system and those investigating adverse effects of noise on animals as well as humans.

Their findings pointed at the mechanism at play to be a stress response in the nervous system that is activated by exposure to noise. “The stress response prompts a surge of hormones, which damages the blood vessels”, authors.

They further connected noise with oxidative stress — an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to nullify their effects — and problems with the blood vessels, nervous system, and metabolism.

While the researchers advocated  for strategies to lessen traffic noise, they recommended the use of low-noise tyres and air traffic curfews, for positive contributions to environmental noise reduction. However, whether such strategies are implementable in Nigeria is the next question to be answered by Nigerian researchers.

In the words of the Lead author Thomas Münzel, director of the Department of Internal Medicine : “As the percentage of the population exposed to detrimental levels of transportation noise is rising, new developments and legislation to reduce noise are important for public health.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you know about Mumps?

By
Admin
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11

Mumps:
1 ❏ has an incubation period of about 14 days
2 ❏ is caused by paramyxoviruses
3 ❏ may be associated with encephalitis that could have a sudden
onset

For the question above, ONE or MORE of the responses is (are) correct. Decide which of the responses is (are) correct. Then choose:

A ❏ if 1, 2 and 3 are correct
B ❏ if 1 and 2 only are correct
C ❏ if 2 and 3 only are correct
D ❏ if 1 only is correct
E ❏ if 3 only is correct

 

West African College of Nursing (WACN) Announces its 2018 Events

By
Temitope Obayendo
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1

The West African College of Nursing (WACN) has released its calendar of events for the year 2018; highlighting  the various workshops, lectures, examinations, dates and venues of the programmes.

The WACN 2018 calendar of events, described as a tentative one, was released via the website of the college. Below are the events:

WACN Logo
  1. Year 1 Primary Examination for 2017 set, 12th – 16th February, WACN Secretariat conference hall, Yaba, Lagos.
  2. Editorial Board Meeting 22nd February WAHO Office, WAPMC Secretariat, Yaba, Lagos
  3. Disaster Nursing: Emergency Preparedness / Basic Life Support 19th -23rd March NANNM Secretariat, Port Harcourt.
  4. 38th Extra -Ordinary Council Meeting 24th – 27th April Conference Hall, West African College of Nursing Secretariat Yaba, Lagos.
  5. MCH Sub-regional Workshop 22nd – 24th May, Liberia/Nigeria.
  6. Mental Health/ Psychiatric Nursing Faculty Sub-regional Workshop 5th – 7th June Ghana.
  7. 2nd Year WACN Primary Lectures 11th – 29th June, Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan.
  8. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 2nd – 6th July, WACN Secretariat Conference Hall, Yaba – Lagos.
  9. FAME sub-regional workshop, 9th -12th July, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
  10. Emergency Preparedness/ Basic Life Support, 22th – 28th July, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano.
  11. Joint Faculties Board Meeting, 6th – 9th August, Conference Hall, West African College of Nursing Secretariat, Yaba, Lagos.
  12. Inaugural Meeting of Examination Board, 7th -9th August, WAHO Office, WAPMC Secretariat, Yaba – Lagos.
  13. Emergency Preparedness/ Basic Life Support, 26th August-1st September, Conference Hall, West African College of Nursing Secretariat Yaba, Lagos.
  14. Disaster Nursing: Emergency Preparedness / Basic Life Support, 3rd – 7th September, NANNM Secretariat, Port Harcourt.
  15. Medical-Surgical Nursing Faculty Sub-regional Workshop, 10th – 13th September, the Gambia.
  16. Part 1 Mandatory Revision Classes 13th -15th September, Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan.
  17. Final Primary & Part 1 Examinations, 17th -21st September, Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan.
  18. First Year (2018) Primary Lectures/Examination, 2nd – 20th October, Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan.
  19. Human Resource Management, 8th -12th October Enugu, Nigeria.
  20. Examination Board Meeting/ Marking/Collation of results 29th-October- 1st November West African College of Nursing Secretariat Yaba, Lagos

Pharmacists, Nurses, Others Issue FG Three Weeks Ultimatum to Meet Demands

By
Admin
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0

Health workers in Nigeria have given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to meet their demands even as they threatened to embark on industrial action at its expiration on March 1, 2018.

The health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHP) had on September 29, 2017 suspended a 10-day old strike after a meeting with Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

Nigerian Health workers on protest

The health workers including pharmacists, nurses, medical laboratory scientists in a communiqué issued at the end of three-day consultative meeting, which ended Thursday, 8 February, 2018, in Abuja, lamented the delay tactics and deliberate foot-dragging of the Federal Government in approving the adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) as was done for medical doctors’ Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) since January 2014 and also replicated with yet another approval for the same CONMESS in September, 2017 for the medical doctors.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the National Chairman, JOHESU, Biobelemoye Joy Josiah, and the National Secretary, JOHESU, Ekpebor Florence.

JOHESU/AHPA said they have communicated its discontentment on this development to the appropriate quarters of government.

The health workers also urged the House of Representatives members to facilitate enhanced access to healthcare in the country, boost strategies to institutionalise public health reforms to counter the menace of clinical disease state like Lassa fever, Ebola and monkey-pox in the country, as well as a passionate plea to intervene in the unending cycle of discriminatory output of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) in dispensing privileges and resources to the various cadres of health workers in Nigeria.

JOHESU/AHPA called on the FG to urgently revisit the constitution of the membership of the boards of all the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) as the list of members published in December 2017 seriously violates the Teaching Hospital Act, which provides that a representative of health providers must be appointed on all the boards.

The Guardian

WHO to Immunise 1.2 million People against Yellow Fever in Borno

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0

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is set to immunise 1.2 million people against yellow fever in Borno.

Terna  Nomhwange, the WHO Country Representative and National Surveillance Officer, said this while speaking with journalists at the inoculation centre in Bakkassi Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDPs) in Maiduguri.

According to Mr. Nomhwange, about one million doses of vaccines have been provided for the exercise in the 288 wards of the 25 selected local government areas in the state.

Immunisation of the African child

He noted that WHO was already working with the federal government and other implementing partners to control spread of the disease in 16 states of the country in the past five months.

Mr. Nomhwange identified the states to include Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara among others.

“WHO is responding to the outbreak with multi-Agency, Multi-partners Incident Management Centre and an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been established to monitor the outbreak,’’ he said.

The representative said it was observed that the most affected population were youth aged between 20 years as well as the younger generation, who accounted for 65.9 per cent of the cases.

Mr. Nomhwange said that fatality rate for all cases, which included suspected, probable and confirmed was 21.1 per cent, while 28.1 per cent were confirmed cases.

“The exercise targets infants of nine-months old and those from one to 45 years of age for immunisation against the disease.

“The aim is to control transmission in line with the strategy for the elimination of Yellow Fever Epidemic by 2026,’’ he said.

According to him, there is presently a moderate risk of regional spread due to the proximity of the affected states.

He said to this end, WHO recommended vaccination against yellow fever, especially in the IDPs camp.

“You may ask why we are here in Borno, we took particular interest in Borno and the IDPs camp because of the peculiarity of the living conditions of the IDPS.

“Yellow fever is mostly transmitted by mosquitoes and we believe there is a high chance of the spread of the ailment, because of the peculiarity of the environment in the IDPs.

“This is why we are taking proactive measures to nip the scourge in the bud.

“So, we are now in Bakkassi. We are hoping to have our teams in Gwoza and other vulnerable areas for this exercise before the week runs off.’’

What do you know about Arcoxia?

By
Admin
-
6

Arcoxia is preferred to standard NSAIDs:
A ❏ in patients who have cardiac failure
B ❏ in patients who are at high risk of developing
gastroduodenal ulcer
C ❏ in dysmenorrhoea
D ❏ when onset of pain relief is required immediately
E ❏ in patients with asthma

What do you know about Mesalazine?

By
Admin
-
7

Mesalazine
A ❏ should be avoided in patients who are hypersensitive to
salicylates
B ❏ is indicated for diverticular disease
C ❏ is available only as tablets
D ❏ is not associated with side-effects related to blood disorders
E ❏ is a prodrug of 5-aminosalicylic acid

IQVIA Launches HCP Space to Revolutionise Health Sector (VIDEO)

By
Solomon Ojigbo
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0

HCP Space is the newly launched professional networking platform developed by IQVIA for healthcare professionals across the Middle-East and Africa as a collaborative tool to drive digital healthcare provision.

Click the video above to hear the reactions of participants and organisers about it.

Below are some of the photographs captured during the memorable event:

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Olurotimi Awojide; PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; Chairman of the Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; NMA President, Prof. Mike Ogirima; Assistant Director, Nursing Service, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Mrs Sola Aketi, and (behind) IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, during a healthcare providers collaborative handshake at the event.
L-R:PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; IQVIA Director, Technology Solutions, AMESA, Mr Ravi Akella; NMA President,Prof. Mike Ogirima; IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Representative of the Lagos State Commisioner for Health,Dr Abiola Idowu, and the Chairman of IQVIA HCP Space Advisory, Dr Femi Olugbile, signing a healthcare providers Momerandum of Understaning at the event,
L-R: IQVIA Director, Technology Solutions, AMESA, Mr Ravi Akella, PSN President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; NMA President Prof.Mike Ogirima; IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun,e at the event.
L-R: NMA President,Prof. Mike Ogirima and IQVIA Country Manager, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, displaying the signed healthcare MoU, while IQVIA Director,Technology Solutions, AMESA, Mr Ravi Akella; and the Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi looked on.

Why Female Genital Mutilation Must be Abolished -Experts

By
Temitope Obayendo
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1

Although several consequences of the traditional practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Africa, and especially in Nigeria, have been highlighted over and over again, but there is yet to be a concrete legislation against the barbaric act.

This formed the basis of the argument posited by a team of gynecologists from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, led by Dr. Tochukwu Christopher Okeke, requesting for the abolition as well as legislation against FGM in the country.

While the experts agreed that traditions and cultures are important aspects of any society in helping to mold the views and behavioural patterns of the society; they however queried the benefits of some traditions and cultural beliefs and practices like FGM, which are seen as cruel practices against the female gender, must be abolished. “A multidisciplinary approach is needed to tackle this deep-rooted legendary practice of FGM. There is a need for legislation in Nigeria with health education and female emancipation in the society”.

Tools for FGM

The gynecologists expressed their views through a study: “An Overview of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria”, published in the journal titled: Annals of Medical &Health Sciences Research.

They further asserted that the process of social change in the community with a collective, coordinated agreement to abandon the practice “community-led action” is therefore essential. With improvement in education and social status of women and increased awareness of complications of FGM, most women who underwent FGM disapproved  of the practice and only very few are prepared to subject their daughters to such harmful procedures.

While analysing the role of education and social exposure in the eradication of this traditional connivance against the female folks, the gynaecologists stated that the more educated, more informed, and more active socially and economically a woman is, the more she is able to appreciate and understand the hazards of harmful practices like FGM and sees it as unnecessary procedure and refuses to accept such harmful practice and refuses to subject her daughter to such an operation.

Although there are four  different types of FGM which are:  clitoridectomy, excision,  infibulation or pharaonic type and other procedures to the genitalia of women for non-medical purposes, the experts condemned all types of FGM, saying they offer no health benefits to the victims.

The international agencies on health and human rights have also condemned the act, describing it as a restriction of individual’s human rights.

According to the coalition of UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIFEM, WHO, FIGO, ICN, MWIA, WCPA, WMA, FGM of any type is a violation of the human rights of girls and women including: the right to non-discrimination on the grounds of sex; the right to life when the procedure results in death; the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the rights of the child.

“FGM is also a violation of a person’s right to the highest attainable standard of health, as it damages healthy genital tissue and can lead to severe consequences for girls’ and women's physical and mental health. It is on the basis of these human rights violations that many countries have now passed legal sanctions against FGM”.

For the paucity of data, it is pretty difficult to get the statistics of Nigerian girls or women affected by FGM, but information from a team of experts says about 20 million females are affected in Nigeria, although the figures needs further verification.

However, for this years’ celebration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Bolanle Ambode has called for more awareness campaign against the cruel practice, saying if the pace of the current advocacy is sustained, then FGM will fizzle out in no distant time.

According to her, “the pace of penetration of awareness seems slow because the practice is an ancient one, deeply rooted in our various cultures but that does not make our efforts fruitless. Though progress may be slow, we are going somewhere as rural women, mothers and young girls, are becoming aware of the severe health implications of the barbaric practice.

Lauding the positive impacts of the awareness campaign done few years back, she did acknowledged that information is spreading fast and most women both educated and rural women have started seeing reasons to jettison the age-longed practice.

It was on this note she implored government at all levels to fight the practice with direct legislations, in the manner they are doing with some wicked anti-female practices.

 

 

 

 

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Appoints New CEO

By
Temitope Obayendo
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0

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has appointed a new chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Catherine Duggan,

Dr Catherine Duggan

to pilot the affairs of the organisation for the next administration.
The announcement of the new CEO was made on 7 February, in The Hague, Netherlands, via a press statement by the Federation.

Dr Duggan, whose tenure will commence from 1 June, 2018 is a pharmacist from the United Kingdom, and currently director of professional development at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Expressing her delight towards the appointment, she pledged to take pharmacy worldwide to greater heights through credible established and new partnerships, while consolidating on the success of past leaderships of the organisation.

” I’m delighted and honoured to take up the position of CEO at FIP. I look forward to building on the great work of FIP leaders, past and present. To advance pharmacy worldwide, we will work through established partnerships with the World Health Organization and forge new partnerships at the global level to benefit the profession and the public,” she said.

The FIP President, Dr Carmen Peña has also expressed his pleasure towards the appointment Dr Duggan as the new FIP’s CEO. While he exhibited no doubt on the excellent representation of the organisation through Dr Duggan’s honesty, loyalty and energy, he said her appointment will fully project the values of the federation, fulfilling the objective of making FIP even stronger, bigger and more efficient.

He further stated that her excellent career so far makes her worthy of this tough but amazing position.

The document however stated clearly the obligations of the FIP’s CEO , where are: ensuring that the organisation, as the global voice of pharmaceutical practice, sciences and education, is an integral participant, on behalf of all its members, in global healthcare decisions and actions. In particular, the new CEO will lead the federation through its work to develop and implement a new strategy and vision.

 

 

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