Following the proliferation of substandard medicines and food products in the market places, which put the safety and health of consumers in jeopardy, the National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has decided to arrest the situation, by equipping consumers and the general public with information on authentic products for their well-being.

This knowledge on drugs and food products authenticity is contained in the Compendium of registered NAFDAC regulated products, which will be out in circulation in about two to three weeks from now, said the NAFDAC Director General, Professor Moji Adeyeye.

Addressing stakeholders in the manufacturing of drugs and food products in the country, during a two-day meeting held on 30 to 31 August, themed: “A Date with the Director-General, NAFDAC”, Prof. Adeyeye explained the importance of the Compendium, describing it as a veritable source of information and an anti-counterfeiting device.

Her words: “It’s a compilation of all the products registered by NAFDAC; and it is a veritable source of information, and an anti counterfeiting device that will put the power of information in the hands of consumers, and the general public. And it answers the question of products registration status at a go”.

While noting that the Compendium is a reference material that people can actually fall back on, anytime any day both in hard and soft copies, she narrated the genesis of the document, tracing it to the era of the former NAFDAC DG, Prof. Dora Akunyile, who collated the maiden edition of the Compendium to deal with the issue of fake and substandard products.

Ten years down the line with over 50,000 registered products, in form of foods, water, cosmetics and feeds, Prof. Adeyeye said on assumption of office nine months ago, she taught it necessary to revise the Compendium and dissect it into product lines for easy access by consumers.

“You can either have the CD or the book. This will serve as a guide to consumers and organisations on the verification of certified products in the country. It was the very rudimentary anti-counterfeiting device that was first put in place.

“Thus, we don’t want to lose track on this device due to the proliferation of cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technologies like Mobile Authentication System (MAS), scratch and send, then forget where we are coming from. That was why we decided to update it , make it ready for publication and circulate it round the whole country, to the various pharmaceutical premises, supermarkets, academia, medical centres, teaching hospitals, so that when the doctors are prescribing, it will serve as a validated guide to them”, she stated.

The NAFDAC boss further listed other achievements of the agency made under her watch to include: the full deployment and use of Information and Communications Technology in its operations, revamping of the NAFDAC website to increase transparency, the decentralisation of NAFDAC registration centres, which commenced in April after the creation of six zonal directorates and the Federal Capital Territory directorate.

Explaining the motive for the meeting, she said ‘Meet the DG NAFDAC’ meeting was aimed at providing a platform for discourse and exchange of information, “which relates to stakeholders’ expectations from the regulated sector and feedback to the regulator from the stakeholders.”

Responding to the DG’s remarks, some of the manufacturers disclosed their ordeal in getting their products registered with the agency, while they called for better measures to be put in place for easy access to the agency as well as reduction in the long duration of products registration.

President of Premium Bread makers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) Mr Tosan Jemide, during the interactive session at the forum, called the attention of the DG to the regulation of bread production in the country, which he said has degenerated beyond control as there are different shapes and colours of bread in circulation.

In the same vein, the National President of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) Mrs Clementina Ativie craved the indulgence of the agency to enter into a partnership with them, in order to rid the society of unwholesome water of different types. Prof. Adeyeye however gave her consent to the request, noting that NAFDAC ready to work with them for the safety of the citizens.

Borno state government has raised the alarm over the outbreak of diarrhoea, reporting 1,068 cases.

The Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) hit 10 local government areas of the state.

Dr  Haruna Mshelia, the Commissioner for Health, said in Maiduguri on that the ministry and other partners were already responding to the incident.

He said that 25 patients were hospitalized at the Benisheikh Hospital, Dala and El-Miskin treatment centres.

The commissioner said no cases of death had been recorded so far.

“No one has died yet from AWD. Out of the 100 cases of diarrhoea reported early this year, we had one or two cases of cholera at Baga Doro, Borno state,” he said.

Mshelia attributed the outbreak to poor hygiene practice and abuse of the environment.

-As Atueyi Tasks Lolu Ojo on Service to Humanity

As part of their campaign activities towards the forthcoming presidential election of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Lolu Ojo Presidential Campaign Organisation (LOPICO) paid a courtesy visit to the Pharmanews Corporate Head Office, at Mende, Maryland, Lagos.

While receiving them, the Pharmanews Publisher, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi appreciated the team members for their visit, noting that having the aspiration to become the PSN President is good.

Describing the position of the PSN President as an opportunity to serve humanity, the Pharmanews boss urged the PSN presidential aspirant to do his best and leave the rest to God, who knows the end from the beginning.

“We are created and equipped to serve, because by serving humanity, we are actually serving God. It could be a service without reward, but God knows how to always reward his faithful people”, he stated.

Atueyi, further noted the importance of personal leadership qualities, which makes a whole difference, adding that it would have been a beautiful idea for all the PSN presidential aspirants to emerge as president, but the constitution has made provision for only one person to be the president.

Thus, he urged Dr Lolu Ojo to honestly do his best, without hurting anyone, because it could boomerang.”No one should break his head over the presidential ambition, depend on God’s decision and do your very best”.

The Chairman, LOPICO, Pharm. Ade Popoola, had earlier introduced members of the team, and the motive of their visit, which he said was to inform Sir Atueyi about their preparations for the election.

In his response, the PSN presidential candidate, Pharm. (Dr) Lolu Oj, narrated how he met Sir Atueyi about 35 years ago, when he was a PANS president, and he has had no cause to regret ever knowing him.

He said the time has come to do something new, to change the narration, and to give more value to the pharmacy profession and pharmacists.

His words: Time has come for pharmacists to feel the value of PSN. It is not enough for pharmacists to be paying dues, they need to have value for their dues. It is time to transform the knowledge of pharmacists and compete favourably with international practice.”.

He therefore pleaded for his prayers and support to emerge victoriously at the polls.

Members of the LOPICO team present at the meeting were: Pharm. Ade Popoola, chairman, LOPICO; Pharm.(Prince) Gbenga Falabi; Pharm. Tunde Oyeniran; Pharm. Dave Ehimen Ehikhuemen; Pharm. Chovwe Emaniru and others.

-As FG Boosts Access to Basic Health and Nutrition

Worried by the disturbing statistics of infants’ mortality in the country, which has been described as the single largest contributor to the global annual mortality rate, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has said this is unacceptably high, as he identified inaccessibility to basic health and nutrition services as main reasons for the colossal loss.

According to him, one of the major challenges facing the country is high rate of infant mortality. “Nigeria is the single largest contributor to the global annual number of mortality rate; infant and child mortality rates are unacceptably high; a total fertility rate has remained stubbornly high and has worsened nutrition outcomes in children as well as immunization rates, especially among the poorest children”.

While regretting the development, he noted that those difficulties had grossly outpaced government spending on health and nutrition, coupled with government spending in recent years being unable to reach those who needed them most and doing little to reduce high and impoverishing out –of-pocket spending on health by poor Nigerians.

Prof.  Adewole made this remarks at a forum organised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Global Financing Facility (GFF) and Partners, in Abuja, to co- finance efforts towards improving the health and nutrition of the poorest women, children and adolescent in the country.

In order to reverse the poor health indexes of the country, the minister announced that the Government of Nigeria is committed to ensuring that all Nigerians, particularly  women, children and adolescents  facing some of the most challenging circumstances in most places,  have access to basic health and nutrition services that they need without becoming poorer by paying for them.

He said, “the GFF has created a new sense of awareness that we must put our money on the table for these essential investments in our people and use them in even smarter ways and that is something that has not been done before.

To this end, Adewole maintained that the grant from the GFF would co- finance early implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) with funds mobilised from the government and other contributors, starting in three states: Abia, Niger and Osun.

Following the start-up phase, the minister revealed that Nigerian Government would provide most of the financing for the scale-up to the remaining 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Also speaking, the Director of the GFF, Mariam Claeson, who expressed his views through the press state released by the Federal Ministry of Health, said that Nigeria’s commitment to sustainably financing health and nutrition was a beacon for other countries as they worked closely with the GFF to make sure the investment they made lasted for years to come.

‘’The Government of Nigeria will make an enormous difference in the lives of millions of Nigerians by making a lasting investment in the health and nutrition of women, children and adolescents, the foundation of the society and the economy’’.

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to eastern ‘no-go’ zone surrounded by rebels, UN agencies have warned.

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), warned that rebel violence in eastern DRC was escalating inside the vast country’s Ebola-hit North Kivu province, putting millions at risk.

“Thousands of civilians have fled their burned-out villages, bringing reports of brutal attacks,’’ Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for UNHCR, said in Geneva.

The latest report followed reports that a case of Ebola infection and one suspected case have been found in one town in the area, Oicha, which is surrounded by armed groups.

The disease has killed more than 60 people and infected dozens more in recent weeks.

Forced displacement in this part of the country remains massive and it is estimated that more than a million people are displaced in North Kivu.

This is the highest concentration of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the DRC, where an estimated half a million people have been forced from their homes this year alone.

Also, Peter Salama, WHO Deputy Director-General of Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the discovery of Ebola infection in the hard-to-reach part of eastern DRC could mark a “pivotal” point in the response to the deadly disease.

“It really was the problem we were anticipating and the problem … we were dreading.

“Our teams have responded this week. They’ve had to reach Oicha with armed escorts.

“Once they reach Oicha, they are able to move within Oicha town more freely, because the town itself is a yellow zone from a security perspective,’’ Mr Salama explained.

Mahecic said UNHCR was particularly worried about the deteriorating situation in the Ebola-hit northern territory of Ben, where Oicha town is located.

The area is home to some 1.3 million people and spiralling conflict has left the population living there, virtually in a state of siege since October 2017.

Reports of increased human rights violations and restrictions of humanitarian access are also frequent.

Estimates are that more than 100 armed groups are active in the province, continually terrorising the population.

In spite of a large-scale military offensive of the Congolese Army against one of the main rebel groups, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) since January, there has been no let-up in the violence.

Mahecic said: “Despite security challenges, a UNHCR team accessed the area north of Beni, earlier this month, and conducted humanitarian assessments in Oicha and Eringeti districts.

“Residents told our staff about brutal attacks against the civilians carried out with machetes.

“Stories of massacres, extortion, forced displacement and other human rights violations are frequent’’.

Further, sexual and gender-based violence is rampant across the Beni territory while many children are being recruited as child soldiers.

The violence is particularly rampant in the so-called “triangle of death,” between the towns of Eringeti, Mbau and Kamango, on the Uganda-DRC border, as well as in the towns of Beni, Oicha and Mavivi.

UNHCR said it was scaling up its capacity in North Kivu to respond to the growing humanitarian needs.

“We are arranging additional emergency shelters and other humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of the displaced in Beni.

“While UNHCR’s humanitarian response is continuing, despite the outbreak of Ebola, the prevailing security situation and drastic funding shortfall severely hamper our efforts.

“UNHCR’s DRC 2018 appeal totalling $201 million is only 17 per cent funded,’’ Mahecic explained.

(NAN)

In appreciation of its immense contribution to pharmacy profession in Nigeria, the Phamatex Group has been honoured with an award of excellence by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).

Presenting the award during the association’s 37th Annual National Conference held on 6 July 2018, at SIO Events Centre, Benin City, Edo State, Pharm. (Dr) Albert Kelong Alkali, immediate past national chairman of ACPN applauded the pharmaceutical company for its consistent support of community pharmacists over the years.

Receiving the award, Prince Christopher Obuora Nebe, chairman, Phamatex Group, disclosed that although the recognition came as a surprise to him, he had always held the ACPN in high esteem.

He remarked further that it was even more heartwarming that such an honour was coming to the company at a time the pharma industry was recovering from the economic recession that almost crippled the country.

Phamatex Group, the exclusive agent to Hovid Drugs in Nigeria, has been at the vanguard of sponsors who have shown unflinching support towards ACPN conference in the last one decade.

After being the sole agent to Hovid and relying heavily on imported pharmaceuticals in the last 30 years, the company has opened a state-of-the-art factory in the heart of Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos.

Authorities in troubled eastern Congo are battling against multiple militia groups and a deteriorating security situation in their efforts to respond to an Ebola outbreak that has killed 55 people in the region.

The outbreak of the deadly virus began shortly after the country’s government in June declared an end to another outbreak – in the west of the country – and lauded those involved for managing to swiftly contain the spread of the disease.

But access to Congo’s eastern “red zone” is more difficult due to the region’s ongoing conflict.

There is also the added problem of the movement of internally displaced people in North Kivu province, and their possible cross-border travel into Uganda or Rwanda.

The World Health Organisation has warned that some areas are inaccessible because of the more than 100 armed groups that are mainly fighting over access to mineral resources.

The government has rolled out a vaccination campaign that has so far managed to treat more than 1,200 people.

However, the number of cases has almost doubled in a week, with the Ministry of Health saying late Monday that 96 people were suspected or confirmed to have contracted the disease.

“In red zones that are more difficult to access … we are working with the local registered nurses who are tracking these people and sending reports by phone every day,” Jessica Ilunga, spokesperson at the Ministry of Health, told dpa on Tuesday.

Health Minister, Oly Ilunga Kalenga said during a visit to the region Monday that medical teams were being provided with security and patients were being treated in safe spaces.

“The response to the Ebola outbreak is not easy because the disease has been declared in a red zone,” he said.

“Health personnel and materials are accompanied by an escort when travelling.”

To try and contain the virus authorities are manning the entrances to the town of Goma, border posts and the busy port, and are taking the temperatures of those arriving from elsewhere in North Kivu.

Basins and soap have been placed at all these points as well as at churches so that people can wash their hands.

The government has also relaxed rules about motorcycle commuters wearing helmets in order to avoid the spread of infection.

Motorcycle-taxis are a popular form of transport in Congo, and motorcycle-taxi driver Hakim Balole told dpa he thought it was a good idea for passengers not to share helmets.

“The disease can easily be transmitted by sweat,” he said.

Ebola, which can also spread through blood, vomit and other bodily fluids, is a highly infectious disease that causes a fever and often leads to massive internal bleeding and death.(dpa/NAN)

• As company donates multimedia gadgets, other devices

In recognition of its commitment and contribution to the school, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka has rechristened its main auditorium in honour of Al-Tinez Pharmaceuticals Limited.

It would be recalled that the pharma outfit, jointly run by Pharm. Martins Igbonacho, chairman and Pharm. Steve Okoronkwo, managing director, recently made a donation of 8- split- unit Panasonic air conditioners, curtains, multimedia projector, electronic interactive e-Board (fingers sensitive), public address  system, large white board and wooden stage curtains to their alma mater.

Speaking with Pharmanews, the Al-Tinez Pharma director declared that the donation was in fulfillment of the company’s pledge to the faculty to fully equip the third classroom and auditorium.

This assertion was further buttressed by Dr Chukwuemeka S. Nworu, an associate dean of the faculty who stressed that Al-Tinez Pharma responded to their call for the faculty’s alumni to give back to the Alma mater.

“The call was made specifically in May 2016, during the homecoming event hosted by the Faculty. We subsequently followed up on the pledge by Al-Tinez to furnish our faculty auditorium. The staff and students are grateful for the magnanimity,” he said.

According to Nworu, Al-Tinez early response caught everybody off guard.

“The dean, Professor Godswill C. Onunkwo, was so impressed and has since authorised that the auditorium be renamed Al-Tinez Faculty Auditorium. We are encouraging other well-meaning alumni of the faculty to look back and give a little back to where they once call home.

“There is nothing wrong with giving back to an institution that nurtured and gave you the platform to be whoever you are today. We therefore call on all alumni to follow the footsteps of Al-Tinez. These two pharmacists (Igbonacho & Okoronkwo) have done really great,” he applauded.

It is heartwarming to note that Pharm. (Barr.) Steve Azubuike Okoronkwo, managing director of Al-Tinez Group (Al-Tinez Pharmaceuticals, Centaur Pharma, Xcel Pharma, Al-Tinez Visions Limited and Al-Tinez Consumer Care Limited) is a native of Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. He attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha from 1980 to 1985 and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1986-1991) where he studied Pharmacy.

In 1998, the dynamic pharmacist was admitted to study Law at the University of Lagos, Akoka. On graduation in 2005, he attended the Nigerian Law School and finished in 2006.

Pharm. Martin Chibuike Igbonacho, on the other hand, is the chairman of Al-Tinez Group (Al-Tinez Pharmaceuticals, Centaur Pharma, Xcel Pharma, Al-Tinez Visions Limited and Al-Tinez Consumer Care Limited) was born on 20 November, 1968.

A Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Igbonacho is an indigene of Imo State. The pharmacist attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri (1982 – 1987) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1988-1994) where he studied Pharmacy.

Between 2002 and 2008, Igbonacho went through the West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) programme where he bagged his fellowship. After the euphoria, the pharmacist was back at the University of Calabar for his Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has cautioned pharmacists and other professionals in leadership role to eschew tribalism and religious discrimination.

Speaking at a two-day training organised by Achievers Forum business and health master class at Business School, Netherland, GRA Ikeja, Lagos on 15 August, 2018; Yakasai noted that to aspire to any post of leadership, pharmacists must be open-minded, competent and have positive approach to every challenge they encounter.

The PSN boss declared that the intuition of a leader is key because he would know where to go and how best to position himself.

“Leadership is about coordinating human and material resources. Whatever you are doing as far as leadership is concerned, honesty must be your ingredient. Dishonesty brings a lot of confusion,” he stressed.

Yakasai noted that aside being a lecturer in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), his leadership journey actually started after he went into full time research on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) when he graduated from school.

On completion of his research at a period when HIV was relatively known, the PharmaPlus director explained that he became a consultant so much that even the World Health Organisation (WHO) had to invite him to ascertain his level of competence.

“Don’t think about tribe nor religion. Always learn to respect peoples’ opinion. You will be limited for as long as you keep playing tribal and religious sentiments. I am telling you the truth because it is what I practise,” he urged.

In a related event, Pharm. Sesan Kareem, convener of the Achievers Forum also disclosed that leadership skills are essential traits of every successful individual.

According to him, a positive change in one’s self esteem, inner programming and attitude’ tends to lead to an overall positive outlook.

“Some people easily court attention anywhere they visit because of their positive vibe. They could be meeting for the first time, yet it appears as if they have known for ages,” he said.

In attendance were Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited; Pharm. Ernest Okafor, managing director of Nemitt Pharma; Pharm. Lekan Asuni, managing director, Lefas Pharmaceuticals Limited; Pharm. Lere Baale, director, Business School Netherland and Pharm. Tosin Adeyemi, former chairman, Nigerian Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), Lagos chapter.

Every year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day brings citizens of the world together to rally support for people living in crises and to pay tribute to the aid workers who help them.

Emergencies cause immense suffering for millions of people – usually the world’s poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable individuals. Humanitarian aid workers, including healthcare workers, strive to provide life-saving assistance and long term rehabilitation to disaster-affected communities, regardless of where they are in the world and without discrimination based on nationality, social group, religion, sex, race or any other factor.

Join the #NotATarget movement and demand world leaders do everything in their power to protect all civilians and healthcare workers in conflict.
“Health is a fundamental human right, and attacks on healthcare are a blatant violation of that right.” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.

According to Dr Tedros: The sanctity of healthcare, the right to healthcare, and international humanitarian law are threatened: patients are shot in their hospital beds, medical personnel are menaced or attacked, facilities are bombed, depriving people of urgently needed care, endangering health care providers, undermining health systems and long term public health goals, and contributing to the deterioration in the health and wellbeing of affected populations”.

Essential life-saving health services must be provided to emergency-affected populations unhindered by any form of violence or obstruction.
Attacks on health facilities, health workers and ambulances continue with alarming frequency. According to the data systematically collected by WHO through the Surveillance System on attacks on healthcare, in the first half of 2018, 107 people died following 354 attacks on health facilities or transportation in 5 countries or territories (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syrian Arab Republic, West Bank and Gaza Strip).

Every hospital destroyed and every health worker killed or injured takes health services away from the people who need them most, often taking many years to replace. Stop attacks on health care.

Attacks on health too often mean that communities lose access to services at a time when they need them most. Reliable access to health care – especially for the most vulnerable – is vital to achieving universal health coverage and to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

WHO seeks to ensure that:
• Health workers are protected and can provide health care in a safe and protected environment;
• Patients have access to health care when they need it most;
• Parties to conflict understand and uphold their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law;
• Health care delivery is not disrupted by attacks; and
• All forms of violence against health care stop.

WHO

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State branch, has called the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to the need to create rehabilitation centres, across the six geo-political zones of the country, to enhance the effective resolution of the drug abuse in the country.

The Chairperson, Lagos PSN, Pharm. (Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran, made this remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Pharmacy Week of the state branch, held at the M2 Arena Event Centre, Ogudu, Lagos, on 15 August, 2018.

According to her, the war against drug abuse and misuse cannot be said to be won without the establishment of rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, as they require a long process to fully recover.

e said: “Once you identify drug addicts that are ready to come out of it, then they have to be taken to a rehabilitation centre, because they cannot come out of it all by themselves. If anybody tells you I was once an addict and came out of it on my own it is a lie, he has to be rehabilitated and he will be helped. Like somebody said which is true, once you are an addict, it will only take the grace of God and self-will for you not to go back.

“Even when you have been rehabilitated, you just seeing a white powder alone is enough to trigger that instinct but you need a strong self-will and continuous counseling for you not to go back.

“So, we are asking that the government should create rehabilitation centres all over the country in the six geo-political zones, so that there will be a place where we can take these people to where they have respite. There are so many of them on the streets and there is nobody taking care of them”.

Speaking on the theme of the conference: “Drug Abuse and Misuse: Threat to National Development”, the keynote speaker, Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku , dean, Faculty of Pharmacy , University of Ibadan, stressed the need for national strategy involving government agencies, pharmaceutical  industry, medical organisations, community groups, and other entities in the country.

The UI Dean, who highlighted the various problems associated with drug abuse and misuse, asserted that if no urgency steps are taken to stem the tide, the Sustainable Development Goals of – No poverty; Zero hunger; Good health; Quality education; Clean Water and Sanitation; Employment; Peace and justice; and Strong institution, might not be achievable in the country.

She listed the health challenges caused by drug abuse and misuse to include: Weakness of immune system, collapsed veins and infections of blood vessels and heart valves, organs failure, nausea, vomiting, seizures and widespread brain damage, increased sexually transmitted diseases, emotional crises, and so on.

Going forward in winning the war against drug abuse and misuse, the don urged all stakeholders to be actively involved, as it is only a united healthcare team that can bring down the hydra-headed monster.

She said:  “Pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners must watch out for prescription falsification or alteration, track opiod, embrace moral and ethical practices, embark on massive advocacy, public enlightenment, pruning of import license for controlled substances, and implementation of National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) must be consider as priority”.

-As Lady Pharmacists Hold 2018 ALPs Day

The Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) Lagos State Branch, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and other relevant agencies have called on parents/guardians to cultivate cordial relationship with their children/wards, in order to win the war against drug abuse and misuse in our society.

This call was made during the 2018 ALPs Day of the Lagos Pharmacy Week, held at the Sports Bar, Teslim Balogun Stadium, on 14 August, 2018, which was graciously attended by key stakeholders in the healthcare industry.

Dignitaries at the event  include:  Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Agboola Dabiri; Prof. Cecilia Igwilo; Deputy Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs Stella N. Ngwoke;  Baale of surulere, Chief Kareem J. Awoniyi; Iyalaje of Surulere, Chief (Dr) Islamiyat Animasaun; Representative of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Pharm. (Mrs) C. Anyanwu;  Lagos ALPs Chairperson, Mrs Modupe Alli, Lagos PSN chairperson, Pharm. (Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran and others.

The event, which featured a panel discussion on juvenile drug/substance abuse and misuse, allowed discussants time to explain the various ways drug/substance abuse and misuse had affected the future leaders of Nigeria which are the youths, urged every guardian and parent to ensure that they monitor their wards properly to discourage them from associating with bad friends, which could lure them into drug abuse.

According to the NDLEA Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Mrs Ngwoke, “Drug/ substance abuse has been taken to a higher level among youths today. There is hardly any food or drink they cannot mix it with. Our youths of today use cannabis to bake cakes, make Jollof rice, mix it with chapman, etc”.

She therefore implored parents to cultivate friendship with their children in order to detect all these tricks, and to dissuade them from it.

Speaking from the educationist point of view, another discussant, Mrs Bolanle Ogunjobi highlighted some reasons for juvenile drug/substance abuse, which include: Low esteem, peer pressure, boredom frustration, and so on.

Other factors she identified as baits for drug abuse are: manipulation of children’s age by parents in order to push them ahead of their mates in school, which she said always backfire, as such children often find it difficult to take their stand in the face of peer pressure.

She also mentioned too much of media consumption.

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Dabiri, acknowledge the menace of substance abuse in the state, noting that that was why the ministry has come up with a team of people saddled with the responsibility of appealing to the youths on the different social media platforms to desist from the habit.

The commissioner who was represented by the Director of Rehabilitation Department, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Olabode  Ajao, said they are launching their campaigns into schools soonest, as they have found that drug abuse is practiced even in primary schools.

For the Lagos PSN Chairperson, Pharm. Adeniran, everybody is guilty when it comes to drug abuse, thus, all hands must be on deck to arrest the hydra-headed monster of drug/ substance abuse.

The Lagos ALPs Chairperson, Pharm. Alli, however appreciated all participants for the success of the 2018 ALPs Day, stating that if every member of the society will go back home and play their obligations accordingly to their children and loved ones, definitely drug/substance abuse will be reduced in our communities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pledged to donate 12 million doses of Yellow fever vaccines in 2018 and 19 million in 2019 to support Nigeria’s campaign against the disease.

Charity Warigon, WHO Communications Officer, said in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday that the intervention would be carried out with the support of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

Ms Warigon said it would ensure all persons aged nine months to 45 years were vaccinated during the ongoing yellow fever campaign in Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State.

She said the campaign, which was being carried out by the federal government with the support of the organisation, would run from August 9 to August 18 in the state.

According to Ms Warigon, the campaign will protect at least 154,131 people from the disease.

She said that WHO’s support to Nigeria was aimed at complementing governments plan to eliminate the disease by 2026 as guided by the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy launched by the organisation in April.

She noted that the country has since September 2017 been experiencing outbreak of yellow fever with confirmed cases reported in 22 local government areas across 11 states.

Ms Warigon said from the onset of the outbreak, 2,400 suspected yellow fever cases including 47 deaths have been reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“The campaign in Katsina is a reactive vaccination in response to confirmed yellow fever cases. WHO is committed to continuing this effort and supporting Nigeria to better protect its population against this disease and ensure better health and well-being.

“With one single injection, we can provide life-long immunity against this disease at a cost of approximately one United States Dollar.

“Ensuring availability of adequate vaccine supply to reach all those at risk is a constant challenge; with the support of GAVI, however, WHO has pledged a donation of 12 million doses of yellow fever vaccines in 2018 and 19 million in 2019 to Nigeria.

“The assistance from WHO will ensure that all persons aged nine months to 45 years will be vaccinated during the ongoing campaign, bringing the overall number of states where the vaccination drive has been implemented to 10,” she said.

Ms Warigon said the yellow fever response in Nigeria led by the government was being coordinated through the National Yellow Fever Technical Coordinating Committee (NYFTCC) with participation by all partners.

She said preventive mass vaccination campaign was underway for Nov. 8 to 17 in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau and Borno states as well as the FCT under phase two of the EYE strategy plan.

Ms Warigon said about 25 million people would be vaccinated by the end of 2018.

(NAN)

As part of the activities to celebrate the on-going 2018 Lagos Pharmacy Week, members of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) Lagos State branch, have stormed the ever busy Ikotun Community in their numbers to sensitise residents on the need to desist from drug abuse and misuse, which has wrecked a lot of lives and resources in the country.

The one-day drug abuse awareness walk tagged “Community Pharmacists: Promoting Responsible Medicine Use”, was the initiative of the Lagos ACPN, to mark their day in the 2018 Lagos Pharmacy Week, which holds from 13 to 18 August, 2018, with different activities, from the various technical arms of the association.

Speaking with press men during the programme, the Lagos State ACPN Chairman, Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, hinted that the reason for the “Awareness Walk” was to create additional avenue for acquainting the public with the vital roles of community pharmacists in healthcare delivery, adding that the association as an arm of PSN was delighted to celebrate this year’s pharmacy week with the people at the grassroots.

Obideyi , however noted that the reason for  holding the rally in Ikotun Community was based on community pharmacist’s concern and desire for improvement in the country’s health indices, especially as regards drug abuse, misuse and self-medication, which are common among the grassroots dwellers, adding that Ikotun community is one of the busiest areas in Lagos, with every ethnic  groups in Nigeria represented.

“We decided to adopt Ikotun Community because of its vast population and also, aside some few areas in Lagos, Ikotun is one part of the state that has great numbers of all the ethnics in Nigeria, and that was the reason we reached out to them during this awareness campaign in the three major languages that we have in Nigeria, which are Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba languages”, he said.

He further explained that “To tackle the challenge of drug abuse, awareness is key and that is why we are embarking on this awareness programme. Education is also important, but most importantly, the drug laws have to be more stringent while agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of regulation should be up and doing,” he said.

Speaking further, the number one community pharmacist in the state decried the increase in drug abuse in the state, saying the state government, under the leadership of Governor Akinwumi Ambode should not relent on his oars in ensuring that the state is rid of drug abuse menace, adding that the state government should further partner with associations like ACPN in order to create needed awareness and campaign against the menace.

In her own contribution, Pharm Abiola Paul-Ozieh, immediate past chairman, ACPN, Lagos State, tasked the parents to rise to their responsibility by  ensuring adequate and proper monitoring of their wards, adding that they should monitor the kind of friends they keep and where they go to at every particular time, because it has been established that majority of them give in to drugs because of peer pressure.

“The Bible says ‘train up a child in the way he should go’, so I believe parents have huge responsibility and duty to ensure that their children stay away from drug abuse. As it is today in Nigeria, many youths are involved in this issue of drug abuse, so parents should be up and doing in order to ensure that this menace is curbed because they are the closest to them”, she advised.

For Pharm. Lawrence Ekhator, vice-chairman, ACPN, Lagos State and Pharm. Fasasi Taofeek, zonal coordinator,  Ikotun ACPN, the whole essence of the ACPN Day in the 2018 Lagos  Pharmacy Week was to sensitize the public on the dangers inherent in drug misuse and abuse, while the choice of Ikotun as the centre for the campaign was strategic, as its one of the most popular areas in Lagos with huge population.

According to the duo, the theme for the programme was apt as it further portrayed the community pharmacists as nation builders and contributors in nation building, adding that the emerging role of community pharmacists has gone beyond taking care of drug needs of people .

A major high point of the event was the drama presentation by Drama Troupe from Lagos State, which attracted a lot of people, and which further sensitized people on the danger inherent in drug abuse and misuse.

-As Atueyi Urges Amibor on Sacrificial Service

As a means of cultivating cordial relationship with the media, towards the success of his tenure, the newly elected national chairman of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) Pharm. (Dr) Kingsley Chiedu Amibor, recently made a courtesy visit to Pharmanews Limited office, Maryland, Lagos.

While receiving him, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, Pharmanews publisher, congratulated Amibor on his emergence as the new national chairman of AHAPN. He, however, urged him to see the position as an opportunity to render sacrificial service for the progress of the association.

The Pharmanews boss who acknowledged that it is somewhat difficult to coordinate people, prayed God to grant the AHAPN chairman wisdom, guidance and favour for him to excel above his predecessors, and to also have legacies to leave behind.

His words: “Now that you have emerged the chairman, it is an opportunity to serve people, make sacrifice to better the lots of your colleagues. And as you sacrifice for others, God will favour you”.

In his response, Amibor appreciated the support of Pharmanews to AHAPN activities in the past and solicited for more support now, saying it is part of his 8-point agenda to rebrand and reposition hospital and administrative practice in the country.

On resolving pending issues with the medical doctors, he said he was glad to be part of the interprofessional collaboration meeting, held at the Pharmacy House in Lagos recently, and noted that it was a step forward in bridging gaps between medical doctors and other health practitioners.

“What I have to do is to meet with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) officials to sit and discuss so they can see our own point of view, because I know they have this phobia that pharmacists are trying to take their jobs, which is not true. We will enter into dialogue with them, to resolve any hanging issues.

“As a matter of fact, we also want to collaborate with pharmacists in the academia and the West African Postgraduate College of pharmacists, to map out some areas of specialization for our members. I have also set up a committee to select members that are interested in the various aspects of pharmacy practice.

“We are not resting on our oars. In fact a committee is also constituted to look into the consultancy cadre approval for other states, and we want members across the country to be members of the consultancy cadre committee, in order for all states to be represented. For instance, Delta State has a committee looking into that, so we encourage other states to follow suit”, he said.

For the Nigerian healthcare system to be truly patient-centred and effective in reducing morbidity and mortality to the barest minimum, it is imperative for all practitioners to lay aside interprofessional conflict and work together in harmony.

This was the summary of submissions made by medical practitioners at the 8th edition of the Healthcare Industry Interactive Forum for Nurse Leaders, held on 6 July 2018, at the Sickle Cell Centre, Idi-Araba, Lagos.

Notable among the facilitators of the programme were: Chief Emmanuel Oriakhi, CEO, Healthy Living Communications and convener of the forum; Prof. Mustapha Danesi, consultant neurologist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH); Mrs Dorcas O. Shonibare, director, Nursing Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health; Dr George Opaku, former president, Nigerian Medical Association; Alh. Faruk Umar, registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, represented by Mrs Bolaji D Shonde; Pharm. (Mrs) Claire Omatseye, founder/CEO, JNCI Ltd. and president, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria; Mrs Oreofe Iyanuoluwa Ojo, lecturer, Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan.

According to Dr Opaku, the essence of effective healthcare delivery is positive patient outcome, which, if jeopardised through rivalry or any other means, can render the healthcare delivery system worthless.

“Every member of the healthcare team must realise that no man is an island on his own and without the collaborative efforts of others, there cannot be successful patient outcomes,” he said.

On how to make the interprofessional collaboration drive a reality in the nation’s health sector, the former NMA president said that the involvement and inputs of all the professional heads in the sector were indispensable.

“My advocacy is to call a meeting were three members of each professional group sit together and work out the modalities for peace, because when they agree at that small level, it will be easy for those leaders to disseminate and sell their idea to others”, Opaku stated.

Addressing the issue of emoluments, Opaku noted that while salaries may not be equal; there is need to respect each professional in the team.

In his words: “I cannot work in my hospital without a nurse and my salary can’t be the same as hers but that doesn’t mean I should look down on her. If I respect her, things will go on well among us and in the interest of the patient.

“We must continue to seek means to work in harmony, as conflict will take us nowhere, because the nurses are the neck while the doctors are the head and once the neck is cut off, then definitely the head is gone as well.”

Prof. Danesi, in his contribution, urged every practitioner to prioritise patients’ interest above personal interest, noting that since healthcare is a partnership between the patient and the healthcare providers, the patient is important to healthcare delivery.

“We must always take patient care seriously and always make healthcare safe, effective, efficient and equitable for the patient, while everyone must be given their right of place in the team”, he asserted.

Speaking on the topic, “The role of nurse leasers in revamping the healthcare system in Nigeria”, Pharm. Omatseye described the nurse leadership role as a strategic one, especially because it has much influence on their subordinates.

“It is the backbone of the entire nursing system, because whatever a nurse will do is as a result of what their leaders are guiding them to do,” Omatseye said.

The JNCI boss, who was represented by the Group Head of Sales, JNCI Ltd., Mrs Ronke Adiele, explained that the nurse leader must be a motivator, who can get his or her team members to work together.

She added that the competent nurse leader must be transformational in approach and must always consider the best interest of the patient, the hospital and the nursing team. This she said would ensure that there is synergy in the system, as well as special patient outcome and fulfillment for the nursing team.

Omatseye equally stressed the need for nurse leaders to positively impact the younger generation, noting that this will enhance teamwork and bring about excellent patient outcomes.

The convener of the programme, Chief Oriakhi, the 8th edition of the forum was worth celebrating, as his organisation, Healthy Living Communications, had recently begun to engage   the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) for certification of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for participation in the programme.

According to him, “We are looking at accrediting CPD points for attending this programme, and that is the work of the NMCN. We hope that by this time next year, we should be able to issue these things.  We also advanced very significantly the issue of interprofessional collaboration on the forum’s platform.

“I’m happy to say that the nursing council is willing to accredit CPD for interprofessional collaboration for nurses and midwives in Nigeria through this forum. This implies taking this programme to every nook and cranny of Nigeria, to the six geo-political zones of the country.”

Poised to reduce the menace of drug abuse and misuse in the country, members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos State Branch, have taken to the streets of Lagos to sensitise residents on the need to desist from drug abuse and misuse, which has wrecked a lot of lives and resources in the country.

The drug abuse awareness walk tagged “No to Drug Abuse and Misuse”, marked the commencement of the 2018 Pharmacy Week, which will hold from 13 to 18 August, 2018, with different activities, from the various technical arms of the association.

Speaking with the Chairperson of the Lagos PSN, Pharm. Bolanle Adeniran, she said the whole essence of the 2018 Pharmacy week, is to sensitise the public on the dangers inherent in drug misuse and abuse, ”we want to take the sensitisation, information, and education, to the people, and  that is why we are on the street”.

She decried the increase in substance abuse in the country, saying pharmacists cannot sit down and fold their hands, pretending that all is well, whereas so many lives have gone down the drain due to drug abuse and misuse. “Since it takes someone to starts something, we pharmacists in Lagos, want to tell the residents of the state to desist from abusing drugs and substances. You don’t take drugs that are not prescribed for you, and when it is prescribed, you have to adhere by the prescriptions.

“I believe that the more we sensitise the people about drug abuse, the more they will appreciate that they just have to stop the habit. We wouldn’t say because we have been on the campaign for so long and it is not achieving the desired result, we would stop; this wouldn’t augur well with the society. So we will continue to preach the message against drug abuse, hoping that soonest, we will be rid of the menace”.

In his own contribution, Pharm Kola Sumonu, Lagos PSN publicity secretary, charged the government to rise to its responsibility of equipping relevant agencies and parastatals with required tools to function effectively, in relation to curbing activities of drug abusers.

According to him: “Lagos State has the highest number of pharmacies in the country, but if you get to PCN office in Yaba, hardly can you find three functional vehicles for enforcement and regulation. This is where the government needs to intervene, by equipping and empowering regulatory agencies for optimum performance of their duties”, he said.

For Pharm. Rosemary Nikoro, secretary, Board of Fellows of the PSN, “There is gradual access to information on drug abuse and misuse in the country, and people are beginning to be very much aware, of substance abuse, drug abuse in relation to prescription overdose.

“Pharmacists are Nigerians’, so we have taken it from a professional point, so we expect individuals, organisations, and churches to take on the crusade from there. It behoves on each an every one of us, to play a responsible role in the campaign against drug abuse.

Another member of the association, Pharm. Shakirat Adeosun, assistant director, pharmaceutical services, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, bared her views on the awareness campaign, saying “as the custodians of drugs, it is our duty to inform the public about the dangers of this menace, and we hope that at the end of the day, with this kind of massive campaign, we would have brought the information closer to the people, and we would be able to reduce this menace in our society.