“PSN can strip any pharmacist of his Fellowship if…” – Pharm. Popoola

06/11/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

When Pharm. Israel Adesanmi Popoola was elected as chairman of Board of Fellows (BOF) at the PSN Annual Conference in November 2012, not many pharmacists thought he would be willing to accept the mantle of leadership. The managing director of Reals Pharmaceuticals has been described by many as a taciturn fellow, who prefers to work behind the scenes. However, one year into his tenure, Pharm. Popoola has indeed proven that he is up to the task. In this interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, the pharmacist bares his mind on some mind-boggling challenges facing the board and his journey so far.

How do you view your election as chairman, Board of Fellows?

I see my election as another opportunity to serve the profession. I have had the privilege to serve it in various ways. Assuming the position of the BOF chairman will afford me the opportunity to bring in fresh impetus to the board. The objectives of the board are ourmain focus. It will also be a continuation of conflict resolution. Those are the things that our administration will be focusing on.

What are your plans to move the board forward?

Basically, one of the plans to move the board forward is to engage all stakeholders in the profession,such that the BOF is not seen as being in conflict with the leadership of the PSN. It isthe elites that should distinguish members of a society, and I believe we should be positioned as well so that pharmacy, as a profession, will move forward, rather than moving from one complaint to the other. I am glad to have made that my primary focus.

How many of those plans have you achieved so far?

Well… basically, the two-pronged plans have been to resolve the conflict within the profession. All stakeholders are now talking to one another and striving to find acommon front to achieve such goals.

What are the challenges of running such a prestigious body as Board of Fellows?

The major challenge has been the misconception on the role of the board. The forefathers had an idea of whatthe board should be made to do but it keeps changing over the years. The board is supposed to be the leader of the profession and in every society, leaders should have a position. Putting them in those positions should be our focus. These should include the current leaders of the PSN and the only way you can achieve this is not by force. Because there is no course of law that can give us what we need, it is a matter of association – Imean by persuasion and engaging them, so that we do not end up opening old wounds. It is very important that the elders mind the way we communicate because the issue of communication, too, also plays a key role. Secondly, there is the issue of privileges and honours that we give to Fellows. When you are made a Fellow, there are privileges that should be accorded. We are still engaging others to ensure these privileges are granted. The only area where we start with parts of these privileges will be at the conference andat our various programmes, where Fellows will be given their place of honour.

The biggest challenge of every organisation comes from funding. How have you been coping?

I agree. Funding is really a major challenge. As we settle down, we hope to engage more of those who have been supporting us. We want to use our coverage programme at the national conference to lay more emphasis on this and get more funds to run the programmes of the society. The issue I met on ground indicated that only few people pay their subscription. Some because they are too old to be productive and, as a result, there is no inflow for them to pay; others because they just don’t want to. But in all, I think the way forward is to engage them and let them understand the reason why they should pay. That shouldn’t be an issue. No doubt, we met some funds when we (executives) came on-board. So, we need to build on that. We are not supposed to reduce the financial capacity of the board. We should be seen as elders, elites and distinguished members of the PSN. The moment you start competing with the PSN for space, there will be conflict.

How active are the Fellows, in terms of attendance and support?

The Board of Fellows’ attendance and support at activities is not more than 40 per cent. What we want to do is to make sure that we engage more. If possible, give a call to them to attend programmes. In the areas where they have financial challenges, that is understandable. Because the more people you have, the more expenses you incur. Some might not be able to fund some appeals, it is understandable. There is no way the board can pay your fare and accommodation when you are coming for conference. That must be done individually.

What does it take to be a PSN Fellow?

The number one rule is that you have to be a pharmacist and must have put in a minimum number of years into the practice of profession, whether as an industrial practitioner, as a community pharmacist or even in academia. You need to be seen practising ethically and be an active participant in all PSN-organised activities. You cannot be hiding, not contributing anything and come up one day, indicating interest in becoming a Fellow. This activity we are talking about has to start from your local PSN branch. And when you also have some outstanding contributions to the society– maybe you are made a minister, senator or top government official. These are some of the things that bring the profession of pharmacy to the forefront. They are things we consider for fellowship of the PSN.

Are there situations that can warrant the board stripping a pharmacist of his Fellowship?

I need to be clear on something here. Fellowship is an honour granted by the PSN. But when you act dishonourably, the society has a right to strip you of your Fellowship. This is not a new thing, as we have done it twice in the past.

There were complaints in the past about the hosting of the annual PSN Conference, especially as regards venue. What is your view?

If truth has to be told, only two cities have the capacity to conveniently and comfortably host the conference –Lagos and Abuja. The facilities they have in these areas, in terms of venue capacity, hotels and exhibition grounds, are world class. However, we don’t want people to be seeing it as a Lagos and Abuja thing only; that was why we agreed that it should be spread over. Now when people start saying that it has turned to jamboree, I wonder where they got that from. Coming to meet your colleagues and exchanging views on topical issues; these are what we do at the conference. There are things that concern us that we need to meet and deliberate on, from different perspectives. When we need to take a position on issues bordering on our profession, we need to come together. It is not all the time the president will take a position on our behalf. We need to make our stance known, too. I don’t see the conference as a jamboree. Rather, I see it as an opportunity to come together and have a fresh look at our profession.

How prepared is the Board of Fellows for the forthcoming conference?

How prepared is a work in progress? Until a week to the event, I wouldn’t tell you how far we have gone. One thing I can say is that Fellows have assured us that they are coming.

Nutritional and health benefits of dietary fibre

Admin

06/11/2013

(By Dr. Paul Nanna)

As recent as the 1970s, certain diseases that were common among the Caucasians and Americans were almost non-existent in Africa. These diseases include intestinal disorders such as constipation, haemorrhoids, appendicitis, polyps, diverticulitis, and diverticulosis and colon cancer. Others are cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart attack, stroke and metabolic conditions such as diabetes.

A group of researchers led by Dr. Denis Buckitt found that the reason this was so had to do with the diet of the African. The diet of the African was in the main made up of unrefined carbohydrates and other high-fibre foods, such as raw vegetables, as against the high level of refined, processed and canned foods that the Caucasians ate. They also discovered that the advent of these diseases in Europe and the Americas coincided with the introduction of techniques of converting whole wheat to white flour in the late 1800s. This involved the removal of fibre from the wheat to produce white flour. The attraction was the whiteness of the flour, not thinking about the hazards of such a product to our health. Not only that, rice is polished by eliminating the fibre, also to make it look whiter. In the last 40 years or so, not only have these processing plants been established all over Africa, the finished products, such as white flour and rice, are imported into our continent in large quantities.

What is dietary fibre?

The first impression you get when you hear the name “dietary fibre” is that it must be a fibrous kind of substance. The name is actually a misnomer in that this fibre has nothing to do with fibrous tissue.

According to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine in Washington DC, dietary fibre consists of non-digestible carbohydrates and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants. Functional fibre consists of isolated, non-digestible carbohydrates that have beneficial physiological effects in humans.

Total fibre is the sum of both dietary and functional fibres. The dietary fibre includes non-starch polysaccharides found in plants, such as cellulose, pectin, gum and hemicellulose. Others are fibres contained in oats and wheat bran, oligosaccharides, lignin and some resistant starch.

There are two main components of fibre – soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre can dissolve in water and it is readily fermented in the colon into gases and physiologically active by-products. This type of fibre slows down the passage of food in the digestive tract. Insoluble fibre, on the other hand, does not dissolve in water. It is metabolically inert and provides what is known as bulking. In bulking, this fibre absorbs water throughout the length of the digestive tract. This produces two distinct and important effects. Firstly, it increases the bulk of stools, and secondly, it speeds up the passage time of food through the intestines. The end result is that passing out stools becomes easier and more frequent. This is very important, in that it is the mechanism by which insoluble fibre cleanses, detoxifies the colon and reduces the acid waste load in the colon. This helps to prevent certain diseases as we shall see later.

Plant sources of dietary fibre

Dietary fibres are predominantly found in plants. Some plants contain both types of fibre but the decision, whether or not to eat some fibre, should not be based on eating one or the other. In other words, let your decision be based on the fact that the body needs fibre and you are going to supply enough fibreto it on a daily basis.

Common sources of both soluble and insoluble fibre include: fruits such as avocado, bananas, pears, apples, prunes, plums, skin of kiwifruit and grapes; vegetables like broccoli, celery, carrots, green beans, cauliflower etc. Other sources are whole grains, wheat and corn bran, oats, rye and barley. A variety of legumes are also high in fibre and in this category are black beans, white beans, kidney beans and lentils. The rest are almonds, flaxseed, sweet potato, onions, brown rice and Ofada rice.

Recommended daily intake of fibre for the American adult is 20-35 grams but research shows that they have fallen short of this because of the typical American diet. Going by diet, one can safely say that an adult Nigerian should be doing more than 50 per cent of this daily requirement. I am certain that we can do even better than this if we add a few of those foods that have a high content of fibre to our meals daily.

Dietary Fibre as a Preventive

Dietary fibre can be used as a preventive or treatment for various kinds of health conditions. These are health conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract such as constipation, haemorrhoids, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome and gallstones. They also include diseases that affect the cardiovascular system, artheriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension etc. The third group of diseases are the metabolic diseases like diabetes and syndrome X. There is also the cancer group – colon cancer and breast cancer especially. When there is a long standing constipation, the colon becomes a hugereservoir of acidic wastes that actually increase the acid that can lead to cancer development in other parts of the body. Finally, we have other health conditions such as obesity and hypercholesterolemia.

Now let us look at the effect of dietary fibre on conditions such as constipation and general health of the colon, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and blood cholesterol regulation.

Colon health

Insoluble, fermentable fibres are fermented by the normal bacterial flora found in the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids. These are butyric, propionic and acetic acids. Butyric acid is a primary fuel for the cells of the colon to carry out their functions. It also helps to keep the colon healthy by destroying the unfriendly and destructive bacteria that may accompany food and water into the intestines. By this action, fibres help to boost the immunity of the body. Not only that, insoluble and non-fermentable fibres absorb water in the colon, increase the bulk of the faecal matter and cleanse the colon. As already noted, with this bulk, they increase the transit time of the passage of stools out of the anus. These fibres, by this action, maintain the health and integrity of the colon, prevent constipation and other diseases of the colon and reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.

Management of type 2 diabetes

Soluble, viscous fibres play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. In the stomach, these fibres delay the rate at which food is emptied into the small intestine for absorption. This delay, in turn, causes a delay in absorption of glucose by reducing the amount released into the small intestine per unit time. Glucose absorption occurs in little amounts spread over a longer period and eliminates the glucose surge and insulin spikes that lead to insulin resistance. Dietary fibre also increases insulin sensitivity and function.

Prevention of hypercholesterolemia

Soluble, viscous fibres combine with bile salts (acids) to form complexes which prevent the bile salts from being reabsorbed back to the liver. Bile salts function in the proper digestion of fats and they are produced in the liver from cholesterol. Preventing their reabsorption means that the liver will have to continually utilise cholesterol (especially the LDL cholesterol) to produce more bile salts. This lowers the concentration of total and LDL cholesterol in the blood.

One of the fatty acids produced by fermentation of insoluble fibre by the friendly bacteria in the colon is propionic acid, as we found out earlier. This propionic acid inhibits an enzyme known as HMG-CoA reductase in the liver. This enzyme is responsible for cholesterol production in the liver. As this enzyme gets inhibited, cholesterol level in the blood drops. Also, soluble fibre directly reduces the absorption of cholesterol.

Prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

A lot of studies by different researchers all over the world have proved that dietary fibre prevents incidences of cardiovascular disease. Soluble fibre in particular has been found to lower total and LDL cholesterol concentration. The mechanism of action is thought to be by preventing the re-absorption of bile acids that have formed complexes with the fibre. The result of this is that, there is increased uptake of LDL cholesterol for production of bile acids by the liver. This, as I explained earlier, leads to a decrease in blood cholesterol concentration.

With normal levels of cholesterol in circulation, none gets deposited on the walls of the arteries to form artheriosclerotic plaques, which may block the blood vessel and cause cardiovascular disease. Some researchers have said that a diet high in water soluble fibre is inversely associated with the risk of CVD. To prevent cardiovascular disease therefore, a diet high in water soluble fibre is highly recommended.

Prevention of obesity

Fibre, not being digested, does not provide calories to the body. Water soluble fibre in the stomach absorbs water and increases the bulk of the stomach contents. This gives a feeling of fullness and satiety which, together with slowing down the movement of food out of the stomach to the intestines, leads to a reduction of food eaten.

It is recommended that fibre foods be chewed for a long time before swallowing. This gives a signal to the brain that you have eaten enough.

Greenlife products standout in the industry – Product manager

Admin

06/11/2013

Pharm. Ikenna Darlington is a brand manager at Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited. In this brief chat with Pharmanews in Lagos, recently, he spoke on two of the company’s newly introduced products, Omefast and Trexip-TZ.

Below is the text of the interview:

What prompted Greenlife to introduce Omefast plus and Trexip TZ into the Nigerian market?

The decision to introduce the products arose because of the increase in incidence of H.Pylori.Statistics show that 80 per cent of stomach ulcers and 90 per cent of duodenal ulcers is caused by H.Pylori. Also, over 50 per cent of the world’s population is infected with H.Pylori – and the need to eradicate these organisms is of urgent necessity.

For Trexip-TZ, in particular, we introduced the product because we observed a sharp increase in the occurrence of mixed infections. Trexip-TZ has become the dual-powered empirical choice, very reliable in mixed infections.

What differentiates Greenlife brands from others in its class in the Nigerian market?

Greenlife, as a brand, stands out in the industry, as well as our products. We have an elite, aesthetic and highly attractive packaging, which gives a strong indication of the high quality and efficacy of the contents, and we always deliver on our promise of assured and speedy cure. Same products from different companies often have same active therapeutic contents, but may vary in bioequivalence, due to so many reasons such as nature of recipients, manufacturing practices etc.

Our source is one of the most trusted and most recognised in India and the Asian continent.

Since the products were introduced, how have they been doing in the market?

They have been doing very well in the market. We have recorded a tremendous increase in sales volume and market share of these products.

How is Greenlife protecting its products from the activities of drug fakers?

We are constantly improving on our services to meet the demands of the Nigerian society. We have embarked on M.A.S – Mobile Authentication Services for our Antimalarials – (Lonart and P.Alaxin).These will certainly be extended to other products.

NARD flays FG over residency training guideline

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06/11/2013

(By Temitope Obayendo)

The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has decried the failure of the Federal Government of Nigeria to articulate a comprehensive guideline for residency training in the country, despite numerous discussions with stakeholders.

The grievances of the group were contained in a nine-point communiqué, which was issued at the end of the extraordinary national executive council meeting of NARD, held at the auditorium of National Hospital, Abuja, recently.

The communiqué, which was jointly signed by the President of NARD, Dr. Jubril Abdullahi, acting secretary general, Dr. Udu Chijioke Udu, and publicity/social secretary, Dr. Ilokonuno Chinedu, noted that the failure of the Federal Government to produce a blueprint for residency training had led to “grossly inadequate funding of the training, failure of the recently re-introduced overseas clinical attachments for resident doctors, and incessant industrial disharmony in many training centres, as a result of unwarranted disengagements, withholding of entitlement and blatant victimisation of resident doctors.”

NARD also regretted the prolonged meeting it had with representatives of the Federal Government in which it was agreed that by the end of August 2013, every obstacle to the implementation of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) would have been resolved. This, according to the communiqué, was because rather than keep to the agreement, the Federal Government resorted to removing resident doctors from the platform of IPPIS in a worrisome manner.

Other issues highlighted by NARD in the statement include the continuous victimisation of its members at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, by the medical director; as well as the failure of Enugu State Government to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for its members at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu. “This has greatly hampered effective health service delivery and residency training,” the statement read.

Proffering solutions to the challenges cited, the National Executive Council of NARD called on the Federal Government to produce, as a matter of urgency, a blueprint on residency training in conjunction with the association and other stakeholders.

It also stated that all the anomalies in emoluments consequent upon the implementation of IPPIS must be sorted out, without further delay.

“Furthermore, all institutions already on the IPPIS platform must be retained and concerted efforts made to identify and correct factors impeding the successful implementation of IPPIS. In addition, no new health institution should be recruited until all irregularities are fully resolved. Thus the Federal Government must employ more constructive means of resolving the challenges involved,” the communiqué proffered.

NARD also directed that the Federal Government must immediately commence the process of removal from office, the medical director of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to put an end to the perennial problems in the hospital.

Consequent upon the stated recommendations, NARD further directed all its members nationwide to proceed on an indefinite and total withdrawal of services from Tuesday, 1^st October, 2013, until further instructions would be issued.

NAHAP condemns National Health Bill – calls for holistic amendment

Admin

06/11/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

Rising from its 15^th annual national scientific conference, the Nigerian Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists (NAHAP) has condemned the National Health Bill in its present form, adding that parts of the bill are in dire need of amendment, if it is going to be taken seriously.

The 5-day summit, which was held at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja, recently, was declared open by the honourable minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, who was represented by Dr. Demola Onokumaya, secretary of health, FCT Administration.

It also featured a health walk by the delegates against drug hawking in public places, in recognition of the dangers of patronising drug hawkers to public health.

Dignitaries present at the opening ceremony include president of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Akintayo Olumide; chairman of the occasion, Pharm J.E.B. Adagadzu; Niger State commissioner for health, Dr. Ibrahim B. Sule; acting registrar of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. (Mrs) Gloria Abumere, represented by Pharm. Peters Iliya; director general of NIPRD, represented by Prof Mrs Salawu and director general of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhi, represented by Pharm. Awan H. Aboje.

Others were chairman, PSN Board of Fellows (BOF), Pharm. Ade Popoola, ably represented by the vice chairman, Hajia Aishat Giwa; deputy presidents of PSN, Pharm. Idris Pada and Pharm. Earnest Okoli, respectively; executive director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA),ably represented by Pharm. Sani Adamu; chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Olufemi Adebayo; and chairperson of Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPS), Pharm. Hajia Zainab Sheriff.

While speaking on theme“The role of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists in providing safe medicines for Nigerians” Pharm. Yakubu Maji-Isah, NAHAP national chairman, commended the Federal Government’s attempt at developing the health system of the country through the enactment of a National Health Act, but strongly condemned the National Health Bill in its present form.

“The conference therefore called for the amendment of section 1 (1) of the bill which, as currently proposed, seeks to erode the autonomy and powers of the statutory regulatory body of the profession in the health sector.

“Also, section 9 (2a) which denies every free-born citizen of Nigeria’s equal right and privileges as enunciated in the 1999 constitution (as amended), as the provision of this section, seeks to restrict the statutory privilege to a category of health care providers on the basis of belonging to a particular profession,” he said.

The national chairman declared that pharmacists in hospital and administration are key professionals saddled with the responsibility of providing safe medicines for Nigerians, adding that while this is possible, it requires the application of rational use of medicines, adherence to good dispensing practices and the use of Pharmacovigillance activities to reduce adverse drugs effects.

Speaking further, Maji-Isah explained that what is required to achieve safe pharmaceutical care for Nigerians are skills and commitment of stakeholders, adequate budgetary provision and the political will of decision makers to execute programmes and enforced stipulated rules.

He commended President Jonathan on the inauguration of a presidential committee on harmonious working relationship in the health sector. He however condemned, in its entirety, desperate attempts by officials of the Federal Ministry of Health to frustrate the pragmatic recommendations, as contained in the report of the committee through bureaucracy.

“We therefore called on the government to commence without delay, the full implementation of the recommendations of the report of the committee. We are convinced that the non-implementation of the report has remained a major drawback in the health planning, which also places the health sector in a permanent state of entropy,” he argued.

Justifying the crucial roles played by his members in the health sector, the national chairman emphasised that pharmacists are crucial in detecting and resolving drug therapy problems among patients.

He remarked that to fulfil these roles requires, among other things, implementation of Unit Dose Dispensing System (UDDS), cooperation of other healthcare providers and provision of necessary tools, as well as a conducive environment, which must be readily available at all times, to effect prompt interventions.

Reconstituting the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria

Admin

06/11/2013

On Wednesday, 25th of September, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, while speaking at a press briefing organised by the society in Lagos to mark the 2013 World Pharmacists Day, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently reconstitute the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN). He lamented that the non-existence of the Council for almost ten years has negatively affected the practice environment of pharmacy in the country.

Pharm. Akintayo disclosed that it has been impossible to successfully prosecute any erring pharmacist or pharmaceutical company because the PCN, which is statutorily saddled with the responsibility, has been in abeyance.

The PSN helmsman noted that the absence of a governing council in a strategic profession like pharmacy only helps to aggravate the fake drug syndrome in the country. According to the PSN president, other statutory functions of the PCN, like the accreditation of training facilities for pharmacists and support staff in pharmacy are also affected.

We cannot but deplore the unjustified delay in reconstituting the PCN, considering the important role it is expected to play in the pharmaceutical sector. It must be stated that the PCN is an agency of government created by an Act of Parliament (Act 91 of 1992) and is mandated by law to regulate pharmacy practice in all its aspects and ramifications.

To have such an important agency, expected to play a crucial role in ensuring good health care delivery to Nigerians, stifled for almost ten years is not only wrong, it is unacceptable.

The Nigerian government should be leading by example in ensuring proper and complete compliance with our laws and in ensuring that agencies of government are able to discharge their duties.

Perhaps, if the PCN had been able to function, as stipulated by law, it would have been able to squarely tackle and surmount the myriads of challenges facing the pharmacy profession in Nigeria. It must be emphasized that the Nigerian people are the worst affected by the inability of the PCN to function and perform creditably.

It is our view that quality health care delivery is impossible without quality medicines. Thus, for the government agency saddled, in part, with the responsibility of ensuring that pharmacists and pharmaceutical premises operate in accordance with the law to be comatose for a long time is not only sad, but also unacceptable.

It is imperative for the Nigerian government to empower and help ensure the PCN effectively discharges its statutory duties. The council must be able to halt the impunity that has been going on in the illegal open drug markets across the country for years. This is because, while the law forbids the sale of drugs in any place not duly licensed or registered by the PCN, traders operating in these markets have continued to trade in drugs, in the face of the impotence of the PCN.

We need a very strong and operationally efficient PCN to consistently ensure that pharmacists in Nigeria and pharmaceutical establishments and institutions are law-abiding,and having a properly constituted council is crucial to achieving this.

We, therefore, support the call of the PSN for an urgent reconstitution of the PCN. We also back the society in its call for compliance with the enabling act that stipulated and provided for perpetual succession of the council.

MDCN cautions practitioners against self-advertisement, customised souvenirs

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06/11/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

Following complaints from several quarters, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has openly declared that no doctor should be seen conducting personal advertisements or distributing souvenirs bearing inscriptions of particular health institutions, with a view to obtaining patients.

In a strongly worded press release signed by its registrar, Dr Ibrahim Abdulmumini, the MDCN explained that it is a long-standing tradition in the profession that doctors should refrain from self-advertisement.

“This has been so because of the appreciation by the profession that advertising could become a source of danger to the public, in that a doctor who was successful at achieving publicity might not in fact be the most appropriate doctor for a patient to consult,” he said.

The registrar noted that the complaints so far received showed medical and dental practitioners were either ignorant of the provisions of medical ethics code on advertising or merely disregarded them. He added that such adverts might also precipitate unwholesome rivalry among practitioners.

Speaking further, Abdulmumini remarked that any registered practitioner would be compelled to appear before the Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal, if he is found to have advertised himself, whether directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining patients or promoting his own professional advantage.

“A practitioner shall also be subject to proceeding if for any purpose of procuring, sanctioning or acquiescing in the publication of notices commending or directing attention to the practitioner’s professional skill, knowledge, services or qualifications or deprecating those of others” he stressed.

The MDCN boss explained that health education is a component of primary healthcare, which is the cornerstone of the National Policy on Health, adding that doctors are often required to provide health education to the public in both the electronic and the print media.

“Doctors who get involved in performing such function should not use the occasion for self-advertisement. They should merely present their materials in such a manner as to only serve the purpose of public enlightenment on the health issue under focus,” he emphasised.

The registrar further warned that any medical or dental practitioner found to be engaged in or encouraging professional touting would be subject to proceedings before the Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal.

He noted that such act includes, but not limited to, use of canvassers and displaying of cards or calendars in hotels, banks or any other such venues.

“Practitioners are not allowed to produce or distribute calendars, key holders, wall clocks, trays and such other gift items because such items are promotional in nature and are likely to excite unwarranted and unhealthy competition among practitioners,” he cautioned.

BNSc may become operating licence for nurses by 2015 – NMCN

Admin

06/11/2013

(By Temitope Obayendo)

Do you know that the nursing profession in Nigeria seems set for a major transformation, as its governing body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), has called on all nurses who are yet to obtain their Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree to get enrolled for the programme? This is because BNSc may become the operating licence for nursing practice from 2015

Dr. (Mrs) M. D. Ekiran, a lecturer at the Department of Nursing Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, made this disclosure at the scientific workshop of West African College of Nursing (WACN), Lagos/Ogun branch, held at the Conference Hall, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, from September 24 to 27, 2013.

Delivering the keynote address of the 4-Day workshop, titled, “Sustaining the Pride of Nursing in Nigeria: The Way Forward”, Ekiran highlighted some cogent steps to be taken in order to enhance the pride of nursing as a profession, among which upgrading of educational standard of nurses comes first.

While acknowledging that Nigerian nurses are faced with lots of professional challenges, she urged them to make extra efforts in pursing higher degrees in the profession, stating that there are many advantages in pursing nursing continuous education and obtaining their BNSc and even masters in nursing.

Other steps in advancing the pride of nursing, according to her, include performing nursing researches to improve the practice, involving in evidence-based practice, embracing computer literacy, improving the care delivery system, projecting the nursing image within the public and mentoring colleagues in the profession.

Justifying the essence of pursuing higher degrees in the profession, the nursing lecturer noted that there are several opportunities for nurses who would be determined to study wide. Some of the benefits include: acquisition of more knowledge, being placed at par with other medical professionals, getting job opportunities even outside the country, and having no reason to worry, should BNSc become the required licence to operate in the nearest future.

In his own contribution, medical director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Raman Lawal, expressed his delight with the founding fellows of the WACN, who made the scientific conference a reality, saying that gone were the days when nurses were only seen at patients’ bedside, without opportunities for making significant contributions.

The MD, who described nurses as the windows of the medical practice, charged younger nurses to emulate the good examples of their leaders, by advancing their knowledge in the practice as well as making scientific contributions where necessary.

Speaking with Pharmanews at the conference, Mrs F.F. Salami, chairman, Local Organising Committee, said the essence of the conference was for nurses to improve their image, stressing that nursing is a recognised profession worldwide, and nurses have been globally acclaimed to be empathetic educators, counsellors and confidants, adding that WACN desires the same reputation to be reproduced in Nigerian nurses.

“We have heard a lot of complaints about our nurses, and the only way we can bring about this attitudinal change is through such forum like this,” she stated.

She therefore advised nurses across the country to improve upon the quality of care they render to their patients, as this would boost the recovery of patients, as well as create cordial relationship between nurses and patients for future interactions.

Prof. FolaTayo applauds Pharmanews publisher, outgoing AIPN chairman – As Utomi, Verghese, Akintayo laud AIPN at 16th annual conference

Admin

06/11/2013

(By YusuffMoshood & Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

In what has been described by many as a unique gesture, Prof. FolaTayo, pro-chancellor and chairman of council, Caleb University, has showered encomiums on Dr. Lolu Ojo, outgoing chairman of Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (AIPN), as well as Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher of Pharmanews.

Speaking during the annual national conference dinner and award ceremony of AIPN held at the Welcome Centre, Airport Road, Lagos, Prof. Tayo described Ojo as a man who had proven himself to be a purposeful and dynamic leader.

According to him, the former AIPN boss’ style of leadership is something Nigeria, as a country, is presently missing.

“Sometimes, we don’t appreciate what God has given us. I will readily endorse him to any organisation, whether it is WHO or others seeking his nomination,” he enthused.

The elderly pharmacist recalled that he first came in contact with Ojo when he was asked to supervise the latter’s project in his final year. They never had cause to meet again until several years later when he found that the young scholar of the previous years had become a successful industrial pharmacist.

The professor also lauded Pharm. Atueyi, who was represented at the event by his son and daughter, for winning the 2013 AIPN’s “Icon of Pharmacy” award, saying it was a well-deserved accomplishment.

“Atueyi is a great man! I first met him way back in 1975, when many often teased that we looked alike because of our beards. We have since remained very close since then. I also had the honour of tutoring one of his children. It’s quite unfortunate that he wasn’t around to receive the award himself,” he said.

In a show of appreciation, Dozie Atueyi, who represented his father, thanked the association for according him such recognition. He noted that it was a great honour for such an award-winning arm of the PSN to equally award the celebrated publisher.

Other distinguished pharmacists also received awards of recognition during the AIPN dinner.

Earlier, during the opening ceremony of the 16th Annual National Conference of AIPN held at the same venue, Prof. Pat Utomi, chairman of the event, commended the leadership of the association for its giant strides that have been applauded by all. He urged the new executive to further improve on what has been achieved by the outgoing executive.

Prof. Utomi also urged all Nigerians to work together to make Nigeria better. He said that the key words are: ‘working together’, adding that if Nigerians work together, we can achieve what the developed countries have achieved.

“We need to have a shared commitment on what can make our country to progress,” he said.

Utomi also tasked the various regulators in the country to become partners of the industry/sector they are regulating. He said he had spoken to some potential investors who had some reservations about the activities of regulatory agencies in the country, adding that regulatory agencies must ensure that they carry out their mandate of proper regulation but also help ensure that the industries they oversee grow.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Varkey Verghese, managing director of Jawa Group of companies, who was the keynote speaker, equally called for more cooperation between the industry and NAFDAC.

Verghese, who delivered a paper on the topic: ‘Sustaining The Pharma Business in Nigeria: Challenges and Future Prospects’, opined that the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry has the capacity to grow beyond its present level, if all the stakeholders in the sector work together.

He noted that, with the huge population of Nigeria, the market can easily expand, if some of the challenges facing the industry are tackled.

He identified some of the challenges as: the problem of chaotic drug distribution, lack of government protection through polices for local pharmaceutical industries, unfavourable operating environment and unavailability of local raw materials for production, among others.

He averred that once the challenges holding down the industry are surmounted, the industry will, in no time, grow to the admiration of all the stakeholders and Nigerians, as a whole. He commended the AIPN leadership for standing out, over the years, amongst the technical arms of the PSN.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, president of the PSN, commended the outgoing leadership of the AIPN led by Dr. Lolu Ojo, noting that the outgoing executive members have raised the bar with their performance in office.

He said that the incoming executive must work very hard to sustain the tempo of positive contributions to pharmacy practice and pharmacists in Nigeria made by the Lolu Ojo-led executive.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Lolu Ojo, the AIPN national chairman, said that he was grateful to God and to all pharmacists in the country for the opportunity and privilege to serve the association.

He said that his executive is proud to have discharged its duties creditably well, adding that within the last four years, the AIPN executive has succeeded in building leverage for the association and transforming it into a strong voice for the pharmaceutical industry.

He thanked all those who worked with him to deliver on all that was achieved during his tenure as AIPN chairman, and urged all AIPN members to extend the same level of support to the incoming executive of the association.

Zonal ACPN offers free medical service to Ishaga community

Admin

06/11/2013

(By Adebayo Oladejo)

No fewer than 250 residents of Iju/Ishaga community in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State benefited from a free medical screening and awareness campaign. This was recently organised by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Iju/ Agege Zone, in collaboration with Howard University – Pharmacy Continuing Education Programme (HU-PACE).

The free medical screening and awareness, which took place at the Palace of the Olu of Ishaga, had among the numerous people in attendance, chiefs-in-council to the king, clerics, members of the Motorcycle Riders Union, popularly known as okada riders, and members of the Market Women Association.

Speaking with Pharmanews, the coordinator, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Iju/Agege Zone, Pharm. Agbude George, explained that the free medical screening and awareness was organised to have an impact in the community where members of the association practised. According to him, “Many people do not know the difference between pharmacists and other healthcare providers, especially the medical doctors. So,we are here to showcase our presence to the people of this community and to tell them that there are lot of things that they are missing by not regularly patronising pharmacists.”

Continuing, he said, “Our major concern is about the health status of our people; so we have come to assess their health situations and offer medical advice. We are here to carry out HIV tests, so as to know their status, check their blood sugar level, check their blood pressure levels, check their body max index (BMI) and also counsel them, where necessary. We are doing this in collaboration with Howard University – Pharmacy and Continuing Education Programme (HU-PACE), and we intend to make it a continuous project.”

Speaking on the responses of people towards the medical screening, Agbude said he was overwhelmed by the way people embraced the programme. “We were at Ishaga Community main market about a week ago and the responses were massive. Today again, it has been impressive, with the way people are scrambling to get tested and asked questions about their health. This shows that people are in dire need of this medical screening and that they really want to know their health status. Meanwhile, one thing I have noticed from our various medical screenings and exercises is that the health situations of Nigerians are really improving, as there is a lot of awareness and people are more enlightened on how to avoid infections, especially HIV/AIDS, which was once the number one killer disease.”

Beaming with excitement, he added: “The good news is that people are more enlightened about the precautions to take in order to avoid HIV/AIDS, and I am happy to tell you that, out of the over 100 people that we tested last week at the main market and about 250 that we have tested today, we have only recorded one person who tested positive. This is an indication that HIV/AIDS is no longer a major threat, as it used to be in the past…”

While thanking the association, the traditional head of the community, His Royal Majesty, Alh. A. Ajibode, the Olu of Ishaga, expressed happiness that people of his community were enjoying free medical services, adding that the exercise, if continued, would greatly help to prevent illnesses in the community and promote longer, healthier life. “The rate at which people slump and die is quite alarming; yet most times the cause of death is something minor that could have been treated if properly diagnosed earlier. So, it is good when one is aware of his or her health status and I am happy that this is happening in my community” he said.

The king, who disclosed that the secret of his youthfulness and physical fitness, despite his old age, was a combination of healthy diet, regular exercise and constant medical screening, said he often counselled his subjects to follow his example.

Corroborating the king’s statement, the Aare of Iju Ishaga, Chief O. E. Adeshina, said it had been a long time that such free medical exercise took place in the community, while also urging the organisers to extend the exercise to other parts of the community, as there were other people who would be willing to participate but lived far away from the vicinity of the king’s palace.

Thanking the organisers, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs Oluwatoyin Jacob, said the community had been neglected for a long time in the area of free medical screening and, as such, she was very happy that community pharmacists were bringing back what the community had missed for a long time. “It is a wonderful privilege that this kind of exercise is holding in our community today because it is over a year now that I, particularly, have been privileged to know my health status,” she disclosed.

ACPN threatens disciplinary action on illegal pharmacy emblem – Urges harmony among healthcare workers

Admin

06/11/2013

(By Adebayo Oladejo)

In a renewed bid to add value to the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria and also distinguish professionals from charlatans, the Association of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria (ACPN) has urged all its members across the country to get the original pharmacy emblem with the Rx sign and erect it at their premises before the deadline given by the association.

National chairman of the association, Pharm. (Alh) Olufemi Ismail Adebayo, disclosed this during a press conference organised by ACPN at its national secretariat, Lagos, recently. According to him, the Rxpharmacy emblem is a patented professional sign of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and placed under the ACPN, with the power of attorney to manage since 1976. He added that the sign is a mark of identifying registered and pharmacist-owned premises since 1976.

In his words, “Let me correct one impression that some people are having concerning the pharmacy emblem that it is new.The Rx emblem is not new, as it has been in use since 1976. We are only trying to enforce it and to let people know that the emblem is our symbol and, as such, it is compulsory that every member should have one and erect it at their premises. The symbol shows members of the public where quality medicines and excellent pharmaceutical care and services are provided.”

Adebayo also emphasised that the association would notrecognise any emblemnot issued and documented by the association, saying such would be considered illegal. He also added that public awareness would soon commence on the emblem. “From the month of October, 2013, serious public awareness about the emblem will commence in both print and electronic media, in order to redirect the footsteps of the public to the right path in meeting the experts and custodians of medicines for proper pharmaceutical care and procurement of genuine and quality medicine products. It is of paramount importance to inform people that in line with the value of the emblem, the ACPN has restructured the sign with aluminium rust-free panel, and it is more aesthetically packaged. The emblem carries the serial number of PSN and any emblem different from the one from ACPN is regarded as fake, if mounted in any premises, and it shall be pulled down with a fine of Ten Thousand Naira.…” he disclosed.

On the criteria for getting the emblem,the ACPN boss said the emblem is meant for pharmacist-owned premises that are registered with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and that it is the responsibility of the association to verify membership before issuing out the emblem to any interested pharmacy. “We have given our members enough time to get this emblem and by the time the period elapses, we will think of the right punishment to be meted out to defaulters. Meanwhile, we advise the general public to be on the lookout for the pharmacy emblem whenever they are patronising any pharmacy,” he said.

Also commenting on the need for cooperation among healthcare providers in the country, Adebayo said it has been worrisome witnessing disunity in the healthcare sector. He also said that the discordant relationship among healthcare professionals is compromising efficiency in the nation’s public healthcare delivery. He however commended President Goodluck Jonathan for inaugurating the Presidential Committee of Experts on Inter-Professional Relationship in the Public Health Sector, which is intended to resolve the unhealthy relationship among pharmacists, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists and other health care personnel.

BioProcess Worldwide: An Interview with Chi-Ting Huang, Momenta Prescribed drugs

Solomon Ojigbo

24/10/2013

On this commerical Chi-Ting Huang discusses what Momenta Prescribed drugs are engaged on, the place the biopharmaceutical trade goes inside the subsequent 5 years and the challenges dealing with the trade.

For extra on the BioProcess Worldwide Occasion, go to the homepage: http://bit.ly/1aaprGe

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PSN bemoans incessant strike action by health workers

Admin

14/10/2013

(By Adebayo Oladejo)

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has frowned at the incessant strike actions among medical and health workers in the country, saying it is an indication that the healthcare sector is experiencing a systemic collapse.

President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, expressed his displeasure in an interview with Pharmanews during the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Branch Day 2013, held at Expressway Primary School, Ketu Lagos.

Akintayo stated that what has continued to amplify the failure in the healthcare sector is the attitude of the Federal Government, especially the Federal Ministry of Health, which according to him, is encouraging the agenda of ‘discriminatory privileges’.

In his words, “I think one of the reasons for the strikes is that the health minister, for some strange reasons, gave a directive to the teaching hospitals that members of other professions cannot be appointed as consultants. Then I began to wonder, if these people have not said they want to be consultant doctors but consultants in their fields, why should anybody stop them from being so? I am a pharmacist and I should have right to be a consultant in my field, likewise every other professional should have the right to run a consultancy.”

Continuing, he said, “I am so sad that the minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has reduced himself to more or less minister of doctors, and he is running that ministry like the ministry of doctors, and that is the bottom line. More than any other administration, we have witnessed persistent paralysis in our healthcare sector; and more than any other leadership of health, we have recorded hiccups in the healthcare sector. The abuses are increasing everyday and under this leadership alone, we have continued to witness unlawful appointments in the regulatory agencies. Also, they have just constituted the board of federal health institutions and there is no single representative of other healthcare professionals appointed in any core teaching and specialist hospitals in Nigeria. In fact, it took a protest to the presidency and secretary to the Federal Government for the health minister to appoint a sprinkle of other professionals in only federal medical centres, and that is the type of healthcare we are running in this country.”

Pharm. Akintayo stated further that the reason the Nigerian health system was rated 187, out of 191,on the recent global health system rating (far below so many war-ravaging African countries)was because we are contending with the issue of only one profession putting up plans and designs for the entire health care sector. “The agenda of suppressing some people and consigning them to ‘house boy’ status is not healthy for our healthcare sector and it would further worsen our situation in the healthcare sector”.

On the position of the PSN on the new emblem for community pharmacists in Nigeria, the PSN boss urged members of the public to always look out for the emblem, as one of the prerequisites for patronising a pharmacist, adding that the pharmacists’ emblem is a regulatory tool of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and one of the minimum benchmarks. “If you run a retail pharmacy practice in Nigeria, then you must have a pharmacy emblem, so as to guide members of the public to patronise you, as an accredited facility of the PCN,” he said.

Akintayo also appealed to the media people to help orientate the public on the importance of the new emblem. He disclosed that the emblem “is one of the indications that a particular premise is certified by the PCN. Once they see the RX emblem and the number, the first thing they should bear in mind is that that place is certified by PCN and it also endorses whatever goes on in that place. Meanwhile, to be double sure when they walk in to any outlet, they also have the right to ask for the certificate of premises from the pharmacist-in-charge or the superintendent pharmacist.”

The PSN president however urged the Federal Government to act, as a matter of urgency, in reconstituting the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, adding that it had been impossible to apply sanctions for about almost seven years in organised pharmacy. “Because there is no sanction, people have being doing whatever they like. We cannot discipline any erring pharmacist; we cannot discipline any erring pharmacy support staff and we cannot discipline erring pharmacy facilities, because the disciplinary tribunal that is statutorily charged to handle that function is supposed to be headed by the chairman of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria. So, if we don’t have a chairman of pharmacist council, then we cannot do it. It negates our fight against the fake drug syndrome and it is seriously affecting our practice, as pharmacists,” Akintayo said.

Pharmaton 693 celebrates 20th anniversary

Admin

14/10/2013

It was with great fanfare, glamour and glitterati that members of Pharmaton 693, a cooperative society formed by a group of pharmacists with the aim of advancing individual’s economic growth with pooled resources, recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary.

President of the society, Pharmacist Gafar Madehin, while welcoming members and guests to the well-attended ceremony, noted that the society which started with a modest contribution of 70 Naira but has steadily become a multi-million Naira group, attained its enviable status due to the discipline and commitment of its members.

He revealed that over the years, the society had undergone tremendous transformation culminating in the exit of some founding members and the admission of new, committed members. He added that together as a team, the society had attained the enviable position of being one the three “best managed community-based cooperative societies in Lagos State” and had joined the league of millionaire societies with limited membership.

The achievements of Pharmaton 693, the president observed, did not come as a surprisegiven that the motto of the society from inception had been “prime professional co-operators.”

He disclosed that not long ago the society transmuted to a multipurpose society in order to widen its operational base and diversify into hitherto untapped areas like asset acquisition, property development and other high interest yielding ventures.

Pharmacist Deji Osinoiki (FPSN) who was the chairman of the occasion expressed his joy that some young pharmacists could come together 20 years ago and run a viable cooperative society. He opined that if other pharmacists could copy the same model, most of thechallenges facing the practice of pharmacy in Nigeria would have been resolved.

The event’s special guest of honour, Pharmacist Akintunde Obembe, who is also chairman of Lagos State Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), urged members of Pharmaton 693 to sustain the ideals that had been guiding them since inception.

The event also featured recognition of the founding fathers of the society who were given Visionary Leadership Award. Among those honoured were Dr. (Pharm.) Adesoji Adegbite of Hess Tee Pharmacy, Pharm. Olu Ogunleye of Teta Nigeria Ltd, and Pharm. Moses Adelakun of Sanpharm Nigeria Ltd. Others were Pharmacists Kayode Otunla, Dele Owoseni, Remi Fatoke, Mustapha Olajuwon, and Sola Kumapayi.

Also present at the impressive ceremony were officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (LASCOFED) and the Alimosho Multipurpose Union.

Members of Pharmaton 693 at the event.

Members of Pharmaton 693 cutting a cake at the event.

Pharm. Atueyi bags AIPN’s Icon of Pharmacy award

Admin

14/10/2013

Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited, has been honoured with the prestigious “Icon of Pharmacy” award by the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (AIPN).

The award was presented to the pharmacist during the closing dinner of the 2013 annual national of AIPN conference held in Lagos on September 26.

According to Pharm. Lolu Ojo, national chairman, AIPN, Atueyi was conferred with the award in recognition of his selfless service to the promotion and advancement of the ideals of the association and pharmacy in general.

Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi is the publisher of Pharmanews, West Africa’s foremost health journal. He studied at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, where he graduated in 1964. After years of professional experience in hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy and production pharmacy, he ventured into pharmaceutical journalism in 1979 with the launch of Pharmanews, which has been published monthly since then. He has also edited some other pharmaceutical periodicals and written two professional and nine inspirational books.

Sir Atueyi is a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), foundation fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (FPCPharm.) and also foundation fellow of the National Academy of Pharmacy (FAPharm). He has received many awards, including the May & Baker Professional Service Award.

Lagos ACPN urges members to embrace safe pharmaceutical care

Admin

14/10/2013

(By Adebayo Oladejo)

The best way to cushion the effect ofmedicine-related challenges currently plaguing the country is the practice of pharmaceutical care by community pharmacists.

This was the submission of the chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Branch, Pharm. Aminu Abdulsalam Yinka, at the 2013 Community Pharmacists Day, which was part of the Pharmacy Week held recently by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in Lagos.

The ACPN boss,who describedpharmaceutical care as a practice where the pharmacist takes responsibility for meeting a patient’s drug-related needs and holds himself accountable for meeting those needs, maintained that the situation of health care delivery system in the country has made pharmaceutical care practice unavoidable.

Describing the specific state of health care in the country, Yinka explained, “Many of our people are managing chronic ailments and are on multiple medications;our environment has, over time, been bedevilled by chaotic drug distribution, irrational prescription and use of medicine, self medication and proliferation of fake and counterfeit medicines.”

Challenging participants of the programme, he averred, “Pharmacists remain the experts to meet for appropriate medication, at all times. We are all aware of the fact that medicines occupy a unique position in our healthcare system and they make healthcare credible because they can cure diseases, relieve symptoms and alleviate sufferings. The psychological satisfaction produced by medicines creates a favourable environment on which the preventive and education elements of healthcare can be built with consequent further improvement in health.”

Yinka also added that theme of the programme “Access toSafe Pharmaceutical care: Role of Community Pharmacists” was chosen to meet the present day needs of the public. “The theme of this programme needs to be emphasised, so that members of the public would have the opportunity to use their medicines in a way that would be beneficial to them. The essence of using medicine is to get good results and improved quality of life, and that is what the pharmaceutical care is all about.”

Continuing, the ACPN boss said,“It has been our tradition over the years to take health campaign to the community and today is not an exception as pharmacists all over Lagos are here to encourage the public to visit pharmacists for pharmaceutical care, provide them health information, promotions, counselling on medication in order to discourage misuse and abuse of medicines and also make facilities available for health checks. It is therefore high time every member of the public takes this opportunity to access pharmaceutical care from qualified pharmacists closer to them.”

Speaking in the same vein, the president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, disclosed that, globally, 60 per cent of consumers of health care use pharmacies as the first point of contact when they have issues with their health.The reason, according to him, is because pharmacists are the cheapest professionalsanyone can access and they are the only professionals who do not charge professional consultation fees, when consulted.

Akintayo, who further revealed thatpharmaceutical care practice in the country is at infant level, added that government was just beginning to recognise some aspects of it and that there were other aspects that needed to be integrated into national healthcare plans. “We need to convince the stakeholders, so that they can appreciate the benefit that is accruable to this type of concept,” he said.“It is also important to state that we are beginning to make progress, especially at the level of the public sector, where we have few reforms that have been adopted by government. In the last two years, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has promoted a new concept of pharmacy software, which is geared towards ensuring appropriate labelling of products. So, drug management, proper labelling are integral parts of healthcare delivery, and these are part of what we are working on. We are also insisting that, as far as pharmaceutical care practice is concerned, the place of pharmacists cannot be taken or replaced.”

Meanwhile, earlier in his address, Gbenga Ashafa, a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was also the chairman of the programme, commended the ACPN for its unrelenting efforts at bringing healthcare service closer to the people at the grassroots. Ashafa, who was represented by Dr. Wale Ogunbadejo, also said the role and contributions of community pharmacists in healthcare deliverycannot be over emphasised, adding that community pharmacy practice is a calling which only God can reward.

Addressing pharmacists at the event, Ashafa said, “As men of honour which you are, you have joined hands together to affect so many lives positively and I am telling you categorically that pharmacy practice is a huge responsibility, which only a responsible man can handle. Meanwhile, you would all agree with me that the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, is also doing its best to improve the provision of healthcare delivery in the state, and I am hopeful that, with your professional contribution, our health sector would soon be a force to reckon with, globally.”

In his thanksgiving message to the ACPN, the Oba of Ikosi/Kosofe Land, HRM Oba Alamu Oloyede Onikosi, who was represented by Chief Lateef Babatunde Taiwo, the Baale of Papa Ikosi Oke, thanked the community pharmacists in the state on the good job they were doing and urged them notto relent in their efforts. He also promised to ensure that the people of the community would be continuously enlightened on the dangers associated with consumption of fake and counterfeit drugs.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that my people have benefited immensely today, in terms of free medical check-ups and health education. My people now know the importance of buying genuine drugs and the danger of counterfeit medicines” he said.

Pharmacy practice has no retirement age – Pharm. Azuike

Admin

14/10/2013

Do you agree? Hear what the septuagenarian has to say.

Pharm. Moses Chiedozi Azuike was registrar / secretary of the then Pharmacists Board of Nigeria (1982-1985) and one of the few pioneer staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) when it was established in 1993. In this interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, the 75-year-old Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN) explains why he thinks the pharmaceutical profession has experienced a giant leap after suffering untold repression, amid threats from several quarters. Below are excerpts from the interview:

Tell us a bit about yourself, especially your early days.

I was born on 21st August 1938 in Egbu, Owerri North Local Government, Imo State. Presently, I am married and have four daughters and two sons (not forgetting my six grandchildren). I had my secondary school education at St. Augustine’s Grammar School Nkwerre, Imo State, from 1953 to 1957.Thereafter I attended the then Nigerian College of Arts Science and Technology, Ibadan branch (1958-1960) and the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (1961-1964).

When did you qualify as a pharmacist?

I became registered as a pharmacist in June 1964, having obtained the Joint Diploma in Pharmacy from the University of Ife and the then Pharmacists Board of Nigeria. I later returned to the University of Ife during the 1966/67 academic session and obtained the B.Pharm (Hons) degree in June 1967.

Tell us more about how you started your pharmacy career.

My working career, which spanned over 34 years, was entirely within the Federal Public Service. I started as a hospital pharmacist at the General Hospital, Lagos (1964-1966). After the Civil War, I worked briefly at the Federal Medical Stores in Oshodi (1971). I left later to work at the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate Unit and the Narcotics Unit in Yaba. I was registrar/secretary of the then Pharmacists Board of Nigeria from February 1979 to December 1986. Thereafter I was moved to the Federal Ministry of Health Headquarters, Ikoyi, as assistant director and later deputy director responsible for drug control. I became one of the pioneer staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on its establishment and take off in 1993. I retired from the agency in August 1998 as the pioneer director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances Directorate. Thereafter I served as consultant to the agency until December 2000.

There is a school of thought that says you spent a greater part of your service on foreign mission. How true is this?

Well, in the course of my career in the public service, I was privileged to be a beneficiary of a number of training programmes, particularly in the area of drug control. In 1975, I was a beneficiary of the United Nations Fellowship for a training course at the UN Training Unit Centre, Geneva, Switzerland. The training was on Drug Control Administration for participants from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

In the course of that programme, I was privileged to undertake a study tour of the workings of some international and national organisations with significant roles in international drug control. These included the headquarter office of INTERPOL, then at St. Cloud, France; the U.K. Metropolitan Police, Scotland Yard, London; and the U.K Customs Training School in South end- on-Sea, near London. In 1987, I participated in the monthly International Visitors Programme of the United States Information Agency. This was a first-hand study of the strategies adopted in control of drug problems in the United States of America at government and community levels. The programme afforded me the opportunity to visit several US cities, including Washington D.C, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and San-Francisco.

Looking back, can you confidently say studying Pharmacy was a good decision for you?

Yes, I can confidently say that I made a good decision to study Pharmacy. I believe I have had a fulfilled career as a pharmacist.

What was the profession like in your day, compared to today’s practice?

It is now 49 years since I came into the profession. As expected, significant changes have occurred since then. The number of practitioners has increased. At the time I qualified, there were less than 800 names in the register of the Pharmaceuticals Board. Today, I guess we have not less than 15,000. The population of the country has also increased. I remember that at the beginning of my career, both the imperial and metric systems of weights and measures were in use. Today, all measurements are in the metric system. The days of grains, minims and fluid ounces have given way to millilitres, milligrams and grams. The 1960s, 70s and early 80s were the eras of compounding of medicines in hospital and community pharmacies. It was then common to observe on the shelves several Winchester bottles of extemporaneously prepared expectorants, haematinics, purgatives, diuretics, antidiarrhoeals etc. from which individual patient prescriptions were filled. Solid oral preparations (tablets and capsules), which were supplied by the industry in packs of 100s and 1000s were counted out and wrapped with paper for individual patients. It was not until the mid-1980s that plastic dispensing envelopes were introduced into use in Nigeria – courtesy of the proprietor of Kakaki Chemists Ltd, Lagos.

What else has changed since then?

Local pharmaceutical manufacturing industries have increased in number, especially since the 1980s. Due to advancement in technology, local and foreign companiesare now supplying their products in individual patient packs, that is, in sachets and small containers of liquid preparations. Compounding rooms are no longer desirable in most pharmacies. Public perception of the pharmacist has also improved. The mostly one-room chemist shops of those days are giving way to properly planned community pharmacies in the towns and cities in Nigeria, even though the spread to rural communities is yet to be satisfactory.

Are there intrigues and controversies concerning pharmacy practice that still evoke memories of the past?

In the quest for proper professional recognition, pharmacy practice in Nigeria has had to go through a number of controversies. Even today, there is controversy over the role of the pharmacists in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This is yet to be settled to the satisfaction of pharmacists.

In my early days in the profession, pharmacists were poorly remunerated in the public service. The major controversy therefore hinged on the demand to be placed on scale A salary level. The demand was based, not only on the high entry requirement of three G.C.E. “A” Level passes for admission into pharmacy school, but also on the duration of the course and schedule of duties.

Can you elaborate on these issues?

The powers that be at the time were not well disposed to granting the demand for proper remuneration, even after well-articulated memoranda were submitted to commissions set up by government to review the civil service set up. That demand was eventually acceded to in 1969 through the white paper issued on the Elwood Commission report, which incidentally did not make a favourable recommendation. After that, the next struggle was on extricating the profession from the shackles of medical doctors in the Ministry of Health and upgrading the status of the Federal Chief Pharmacist to that of a Director on salary grade level 16. At that time, Pharmacy was a Division within the Directorate of Medical Service. The Federal Chief Pharmacist, whose grading was on salary grade level 15, reported to the Permanent Secretary through the Deputy Chief Medical Adviser (DCMA).

During this period, there was sustained controversy over the role of pharmacists within the Ministry. The antagonists of the profession canvassed for pharmacists to be stripped of their drug control responsibilities (inspectorate activities, drug registration, and drug quality evaluation functions) and rather be confined to drug procurement, storage, distribution and supply in public health institutions. They were however disappointed when in 1980, the Pharmacy Division was upgraded to the status of a Directorate with a Director on salary grade level 16. The achievement was mainly as a result of well-structured argument in the memoranda submitted to the government by the then Federal Chief Pharmacist, Dr. P.O. Emafo. His efforts received support from well-meaning individuals and pharmacists such as Prof. William Osisiogu (a pharmacist) then Federal Commissioner of Water Resources, and late Augustine Nnamani (pharmacist/lawyer) then Attorney General and Federal Commissioner of Justice.

Still, the controversies over the role of pharmacy in the Ministry did not abate. It came to a head in 1988 when the then Minister of Health merged the Pharmaceutical Services Directorate and the then Food and Drugs Administration and Control Directorate to form the Food and Drug Administration and Control Department, with a pharmacist as the director.

Merging two offices together can sometimes muddle things up. Did this particular union survive?

The officers of the two departments retained their official titles either as pharmacists or as scientific officers. This was to elicit another controversy in future. When some aspects of the functions of the department were carved out to form the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), there was controversy over what was to be the official title of the officers of the agency, given their multidisciplinary backgrounds. The controversy however did not last long, as wise counsel eventually prevailed and everyone accepted the “Regulatory Officer” title which is applicable in NAFDAC today.

Over the years, you must have seen many PSN presidents come and go. Was there one who really left a lasting impression on you?

I have very good impressions of most of the PSN past presidents. Among them, however, the late Sir Sam Agboifo stands out as the one of whom I have the most lasting impression. This may not be unconnected with the fact that I had a much closer personal and official relationship with him than anyone else.

His tenure was from 1982 to 1985. At that time, I was privileged to be the registrar/secretary of the then Pharmacists Board of Nigeria; and also from 1983 to 1987, secretary-general of the then West African Pharmaceutical Federation. I worked closely with him at the level of the Pharmacists Board, the Council of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and that of the West African Pharmaceutical Federation. He was a selfless leader who pursued any course he believed in with doggedness

What do you think of the incumbent PSN president, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo?

Pharm. Olumide Akintayo is a young and dynamic pharmacist. I feel he is well-fitted for the position he now holds. He did not just stumble on it. He had been deeply involved over the years in the affairs of PSN in Lagos, as well as those of the Association of Community Pharmacists. He carried out an impressive election campaign last year, with a clearly articulated manifesto. He is yet to complete a year in office and my assessment is that he has not disappointed his admirers. He will surely have a successful tenure.

What was the level of your involvement in pharmaceutical activities?

I have had the privilege of being involved in a number of pharmaceutical activities, which include:

· Secretary-general of the West African Pharmaceutical Federation (WAPF) 1983-1987.

· Chairman, Nigeria Chapter of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) up to 2006.

· Chairman, Faculty of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (2003-2007)

· Member, Examination Committee of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) (2003-2007).

· Resource person, Mandatory Continuing Professional Education (MCPE) programme for the re-certification of Pharmacists.

· Ex-officio member of the Council of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) by virtue of my position as registrar/secretary, Pharmacists Board of Nigeria (1979-1986).

· Member, Executive Committee of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos State Branch (1975-1977).

· Member, Editorial Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society Journal (1975-1980).

· Member, Planning Committee of the Golden Jubilee Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (1977).

· Member, PSN Committee on Draft Memorandum to Federal Government of Nigeria for the establishment of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) 1986.

Are there some major awards given to you in recognition of your selfless services?

Yes! The awards include election as one of the foundation fellows of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists in 1991; Merit award from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch (1993) and fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (2006).

How do you see the annual PSN National Conference?

There has been considerable improvement of the annual PSN conferences, in terms of organisation and attendance. This, no doubt, is a reflection of advancement in the country, generally.

If you were not to be a pharmacist, what other profession would you have opted for?

I would probably have opted to be an engineer, as my knowledge of mathematics at the school certificate level was above average. However the choice of pharmacy was inspired by a few close relations and acquaintances who, before me, were pharmacists.

Is there any particular age when an active pharmacist should retire?

I do not think one can prescribe a particular age for the retirement of an active pharmacist. It will depend on the type of activity the pharmacist is engaged in. Those in paid employment will disengage, in accordance with the terms of their employment. Thereafter, they can continue to be active in pharmacy affairs and practice, as long as they are in good health and are able to render invaluable services. Those who are self-employed, particularly in the community practice, should hold on to their practice and involvement in pharmacy affairs, as long as they are in good health.

As an elder in the pharmacy profession, what is your advice to young pharmacists?

I advise them to be focused and hardworking. They should endeavour to be professional in whatever aspect of pharmacy practice they choose to be. The future of the profession is bright. It is brighter today than in 1964 when I qualified. It will be better in the future. They should be determined to overcome every obstacle and controversy they will encounter.

Dana drugs flags off nationwide de-worming programme

Admin

14/10/2013

As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, Dana Drugs Limited has launched a nationwide de-worming programme for school pupils across the six-geopolitical zones of the federation.

The campaign, which is in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, was flagged off in Osun State on 23rd July 2013 by the state commissioner for health, Dr. Temitope Ilori, in company of Dana Drugs chief operating officer, Kishin Murjani. Nine primary schools in Olorunda Local Government Area of the State benefitted from the exercise.

Speaking on the rationale for the exercise, the Dana Drugs chief operating officer said, “Worm infection may be life-threatening and can have a significant negative impact on a child’s cognitive ability and general health. Children who are infected with worms become seriously ill and are less likely to attend school on a regular basis. This is what inspired us to take the de-worming initiative to schools across the country.”

Commenting further, Murjani said, “Prevention, as we all know, is better than cure. This is why we are using this medium to encourage parents, teachers and guardians to teach children to observe good hygiene culture by practising and advocating the washing of hands after visiting the toilets and ensuring that fruits and vegetables are washed before eating.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 600 million of school-age children worldwide are at risk of infection with intestinal or water-borne worms. Many of those affected live in low income areas and do not have access to clean water and functional sanitary systems. In Nigeria, 45 per cent of school-age children, totalling nearly 12 million, are estimated to be infected with parasitic worms.

School-based de-worming is apparently a safe, simple and effective solution. With more schools than clinics, and more teachers than health workers, the existing and extensive education infrastructure provides the most efficient way to reach the highest number of school-age children.

Backed by a nationwide network of branches, together with a large fleet of distribution vans, Dana Drugs Limited has established itself as a major player in the pharmaceutical trade with a variety of quality products, which have become brand leaders in their segment today.

Cataract of the inner eyes

Admin

13/10/2013

Have you ever experienced any cataract of the eyes whether medical or spiritual? Checkout from the septuagenarian what he means by the topic.

Some years ago, I noticed that my sight was deteriorating and I could not see clearly, even with my pair of glasses for correcting myopia. My environment lost its lustre and beauty, and colours were not easily appreciated. A visit to my ophthalmologist confirmed that I had cataract and needed eye surgery, which was subsequently done.

I remember also a time my driver complained that he could not see well at night, even with the full lights of the car. We then observed that the lamp shades of the vehicle had become opaque and therefore obstructed transmission of light. This was a form of cataract, which we treated immediately with the replacement of the head lamps.

Cataract is associated with age, genetics, radiation, trauma, use of certain drugs and some types of diseases. It results in opaqueness of the lens inside the eye, which prevents light from reaching the retina at the back of the eye. The illumination is reduced and the vision decreases. If untreated, cataract could result in blindness.

Before the surgery, my speed of reading and writing was reduced, as I needed more time and care to do my usual work. Watching television was no longer a thing of joy.But as discomforting as it was, the experience also helped to confirm a basic reality of life – without light many things cannot be done. When the sun goes down, and there is no moon, even the stars cannot give enough light. That is why we work in the day and sleep at night. He who walks in the day cannot stumble.

While on bed rest after the surgery, I was thinking of the cataract that affects the spiritual eyes. With spiritual cataract, your illumination is also limited and you cannot understand the things of God. You live the life of a natural man because your spiritual eyes are darkened and opaque. You cannot comprehend spiritual things. For example, same sex marriage is seen as a fundamental human right. Adultery is described as having fun. Bribery is interpreted as a normal practice of public relations. There is no shame or remorse in stealing and embezzling government or corporate funds. Surely, you need surgery of your spiritual eyes to see things the way God sees them.

While in school, I studied some books of the Bible and passed Religious Knowledge. At that time, I saw the Bible as just one of the textbooks. It was exciting studying Acts of the Apostles because of the fascinating activities of characters like Peter and Paul, whom I thought had some type of magical power called Holy Spirit. The Biology teacher complicated my imagination and understanding and added to my confusion. While the book of Genesis stated that God created the first man and woman, the Biology teacher tried to make us believe that man originated from the lower animals. He believed in the Darwinian Theory of Evolution. Our spiritual eyes had cataract and so we could not discern the truth. It was much later that I had the understanding and was able to distinguish the truth from worldly knowledge and theories. I now know that the Holy Spirit is a person you can invite into your life as Saviour.

A woman named Hagar was wandering in the wilderness with her baby boy, Ishmael. When their water ran out, the baby was dying of severe dehydration and the mother could not endure watching her son die. So she turned away her eyes from him, weeping. She did not know that beside her was a well of potable water because she had spiritual cataract. In sympathy, God performed the surgery and she immediately saw the well of water, filled her container and gave Ishmael to drink.

Two gentlemen were walking from Jerusalem to a place called Emmaus soon after Jesus resurrected from the dead. They were discussing the unimaginable and incredible event when Jesus moved close and joined them. Jesus pretended that He had not heard of the incident and they became more enthusiastic to tell him of the events leading to His death and resurrection. Jesus then seized the opportunity to expound the scriptures to them. Of course, these gentlemen had serious spiritual cataract. The surgery was performed when they were to have dinner together and Jesus, in His characteristic way, blessed the meal for them and thereafter disappeared.

One woman from Samaria was chatting with Jesus at a public well of water without knowing His identity because of spiritual cataract. Jesus politely asked for water to drink but she refused because the man, being a Jew, should not have anything to do with a Samaritan. The surgery was performed and she realised that the person asking her for water was the Messiah.

Spiritual cataract can prevent you from being aware of your inheritance, privileges, blessings and powers, as a child of God. I believe we all have such cataracts at birth but the word of God burns them off. This is why we pray that God should open our eyes to see the wondrous things before reading the Bible. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” We stumble when we walk in the dark. The powerful illumination of God’s word however clears the darkness of our hearts.

If we saturate our hearts with God’s word, we become equipped to deal with apparently impossible situations. On the other hand, we easily succumb to temptations when we are devoid of the word of God. Poor illumination of the inner eyes is fraught with dangers. That is why Colossians 3:16 encourages us to let the word of God dwell richly in us.

As untreated cataract can lead to blindness, spiritual cataract can also lead to spiritual blindness. Therefore, pray for spiritual surgery now to prevent you from becoming totally blind to the things God wants you to see.

New trends in the management of eye infections

Admin

11/10/2013

Eye infections occur when harmful microorganisms — bacteria, fungi and viruses — invade any part of the eyeball or surrounding area. This includes the clear front surface of the eye (cornea) and the thin, moist membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids (conjunctiva). Many of the viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi that invade the human body are also capable of attacking the surface or interior of the eye.

Infectious eye diseases can be categorised in two ways. Firstly, doctors normally refer to the part of the eye that is infected or inflamed. Conjunctivitis, for example, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Other possible locations of inflammation include the eyelid (blepharitis), the cornea (keratitis), the liquid inside the eye (vitritis), the retina and the blood vessels that feed it (chorioretinitis), or the optic nerve (neuroretinitis). These are just a few examples – the eye is a complex organ of many parts.

Secondly, eye infections are classified according to what is causing them. Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS), for example, is caused by a fungus (the condition is also called chorioretinitis). It generally attacks the blood supply of the retina on the inner rear surface of the eye.

Types of Eye Infections

Pink Eye (conjunctivitis)
Eye Stye
Blepharitis
Cellulitis
Keratitis
Corneal Ulcer
Trachoma
Herpes Simplex Virus
Herpes Zoster (shingles)

Pink eye

Pink eye, or Conjunctivitis, is a common eye ailment that has affected many of us. It is caused by an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eyeball). Pink eye can be caused by bacterial infections, viruses, or allergies. If pink eye develops, the sclera (white part of the eye) may become red or pink in colour. There may be discharge, which can irritate the eyes further. Often the condition appears in one eye and then spreads to the other. There are several types of pink eye, and most are contagious. Depending on which type of pink eye you have, symptoms may last between seven and fourteen days.

Styes

Also called hordeola, styes are bacterial infections that lead to the obstruction of oil-producing glands around the eyelashes or eyelids. Styes appear as small bumps on the upper or lower eyelids, eyelashes or conjunctiva. They occur in both sexes and to all ages. Styes are usually harmless and will go away on their own within one to two weeks, when your body fights off the infection. To prevent a stye in the eye, always wash your hands before touching your eyes and maintain good eye hygiene, especially if you wear contact lenses.

Many people confuse styes with chalazion. The two types of infections are similar; the difference is that chalazion develops under the skin and never appears with a head, while styes look like a pimple on the eyelid. Also, a chalazion is not painful and usually not accompanied by redness or tenderness.

Stye Symptoms

Redness accompanied by slight pain and tenderness.
Swelling that usually appears as a bump. The head of the stye may be on the outer eyelid or underneath the eyelid.
Discomfort when blinking; gritty feeling in eye.
Sensitivity to light.

Blepharitis or Eyelid Inflammation

Blepharitis is a non-contagious and common eye disorder that affects all ages and both sexes, and may be associated with bacterial infection or skin disorders such as rosacea or seborrhea. It inflames the eyelash follicles along the edge of the eyelid, forming dandruff-like scales on the eyelashes.

Oil glands (meibomian glands) run along the edges of the eyelids, and when these glands become irritated or inflamed, the oil secretions thicken and do not flow properly. The meibomian secretions are an important part of a healthy tear film, and their absence can cause the tear layer to become unstable or evaporate quickly.

Although most experts treat it as a serious condition, blepharitis alone is not known to cause any permanent damage to one’s eyesight. If blepharitis is severe, then related problems affecting the cornea can be vision-threatening. Eye care professionals usually become aware of the condition in the course of comprehensive eye examinations.

Blepharitis Symptoms

There are many symptoms that may signal the presence of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation. Some of these symptoms are more severe than others, and sometimes a person will not experience any of these symptoms at all. The most common symptoms include:

Crusty discharge on the lashes or lids, especially when first awakening
Redness of the eye or eyelids
Swelling of eyelids and skin around eyes
Itching
Burning
Excessive tearing
Dry eyes
Blurring of vision
Loss of eyelashes
Photophobia (sensitivity to bright light)
Gritty sensation when blinking
Fluctuating vision due to secondary dryness and an unstable tear film

Corneal Ulcer

A corneal ulcer is an open sore or break on the cornea. The cornea is the clear, protective covering at the front of the eye and is the first part of the eye to refract light. A corneal ulcer is often the result of an untreated corneal abrasion (a scratch on the cornea). Once an injury or scratch occurs, bacteria immediately begin invading the wound, which leads to infection and corneal ulcers.

Corneal ulcers occur in people of all ages. Typically the ulcer is infectious, but some corneal ulcers are not. Pain, redness, and vision problems are usually associated with ulcers that contain bacteria. Still, all corneal ulcers should be looked at by an eye care professional, to ensure that there is no infection and to help craft an appropriate treatment plan.

Corneal Ulcer Symptoms

Symptoms of corneal ulcers vary from person to person, depending on such factors as the location and size of the ulcer. If the ulcer is caused by bacteria, it may be visible to the naked eye in the form of a white patch on the cornea. Not all corneal ulcers are visible, however, especially if they are caused by the herpes simplex virus (discussed more in the causes section). Typically, corneal ulcers cause symptoms such as:

Pain, ranging from mild to severe, but typically severe
Redness of the sclera (white part of eye)
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Impaired and/or blurred vision
Watering of the eye
Clouding of the eye
Discharge from the eye
Feeling of foreign body in eye

Causes of Eye Infections

Infectious conjunctivitis is the most common cause of pink eye around the world. Causes of infectious conjunctivitis are numerous and can usually be classified as viral, bacterial or fungal.

Some of the most common causes of serious eye infection include:

Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS): Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection of the lungs, which is caught by inhaling spores. In a small fraction of cases, the fungus migrates to the retina many years or decades later. Once there, it damages the retina, particularly the macula (the vital centre part where the vision cells are most concentrated). It causes symptoms and retinal decay very similar to macular degeneration, and can destroy the central part of the field of vision. People of African descent are largely immune.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea: These extremely common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause conjunctivitis, though they do not usually cause serious damage to the eye in adults. The infection gets into the eye either directly through genital fluids such as semen, or when infected people rub their eyes after handling infected genital areas. Babies born to genitally infected women are at especially high risk of eye infection. Neisseria gonorrheae is one of the few bacteria capable of penetrating the protective layers of the eye, causing inner-eye infection.

Herpes simplex: This widely prevalent virus can be caught as a skin disease (cold sores) or as an STI. Herpes viruses can infect the eye in the same way as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Like these diseases, herpes can cause pitting and ulceration of the cornea. Chronic herpes infection, which is uncommon, can cause acute retinal necrosis (ARN), particularly in men. This causes a major destruction of retinal tissue, and causes dramatic damage to vision. About 15 per cent of people with chronic ocular herpes simplex lose some vision.

Shingles (herpes zoster, varicella zoster): Shingles are a reactivation of the virus that initially causes chickenpox. The sores known as shingles are infectious and can cause chickenpox in others. They can also cause ocular infection if you touch the eyes after touching a sore. While herpes simplex is the leading cause of acute retinal necrosis in the young, varicella zoster is the leading cause in people over 50 years of age because shingles is more common in this age group.

Bacterial Keratitis: This is an infection of the cornea by common bacteria found on the skin and in the mouth and nose. Normally, these bacteria cannot penetrate the outer layer of the eye, and cause only conjunctivitis. However, eye injury, lack of oxygen due to contact lenses, or a weak immune system can all facilitate entry into the cornea, the clear layer in the front of the eye. Fungi can cause fungal keratitis under similar circumstances.

Infections that can damage the retina and the inner eye include

Syphilis

Tuberculosis

Toxoplasmosis

Sarcoidosis

Herpes simplex

Varicella zoster (shingles and chickenpox)

Gonorrhoea

Histoplasmosis

Cytomegalovirus, which does not affect healthy people but is the leading cause of blindness in people with HIV/AIDS

Complication of Eye Infections

Serious complications of eye infection include damage to the retina and the formation of scars and ulcers in the cornea that can obstruct vision. Some infections, like syphilis, can also provoke glaucoma. Moreover, eye problems are often the only visible symptom of wider infections. Chlamydia, for example, often causes no genital symptoms, but can cause infertility and heart damage if left untreated.

Diagnosing Eye Infections

Ophthalmologists and optometrists are trained to recognise various eye infections by the appearance of the surface of the eye and the retina, the progress of the disease, whether it is in one eye or both, and your medical history.

You should see your doctor or eye care professional if you have:

Eye pain, altered vision or severe redness of the eye;
Continuous discharge from the eye;
Recurring eye problems;
Eye problems along with a chronic condition such as diabetes;
Changes in pupil size;
Recent injury to the eye.

You should also see your doctor or eye care professional if:

You have been treating symptoms yourself for 48 hours and no improvement is noted;
The condition worsens with treatment;
The condition has lasted longer than 48 hours without treatment.

Treating and Preventing Eye Infections

Viral conjunctivitis usually improves in a few days without treatment. Broad-spectrum antibiotics will deal with most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis or keratitis, while particular antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhea and chlamydia. All of these diseases can be cured.

Most fungal and parasitic infections are also treatable by various medications. The exception is histoplasma, which cannot even be detected in the retina, though we know it is there. The only current treatment is laser cauterisation of the affected area, which dramatically slows the destruction of the macula (the centre of the retina). This operation often has to be repeated several times. There is still no way to repair the damage already done, though new surgical techniques are under study.

Herpes simplex cannot be eradicated from the body, but flare-ups in the eye can often be fought off with antiviral medications. The problem may recur.

Serious diseases like tuberculosis, syphilis, and toxoplasmosis need to be treated for the body as a whole before eye problems will clear up.

There is not much you can do to avoid a disease like histoplasmosis, unless you avoid endemic areas (areas where the fungus is found, such as river valleys). You will notice, however, that a great many eye infections are actually complications of sexually transmitted or genital diseases such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, crab lice, herpes simplex, thrush, and hepatitis B.

Hand-washing is extremely important in preventing the spread of organisms that can cause infection. Sharing of towels, pillow cases, wash clothes and makeup should always be avoided to prevent spread of an eye infection.

You can cut your risk of eye infection by observing safe sexual practices. That means using condoms, and, ideally, limiting your number of sexual partners. Just as important is to get checked for STIs regularly, since many of these diseases can go unnoticed until damage has been done, and you can infect other people. If you do have one of these diseases, keep your hands clean and away from your eyes.

The same is true of cold sores, shingles, chickenpox, measles, mumps, flu, and the common cold. All of these diseases produce spots, rashes or mucus that carry the organism. Wash your hands frequently and do not touch your eyes. Watch children carefully and never let them wipe their nose with an upward stroke of the hand.

If you or a member of your family has an eye infection you should use separate linens and a fresh facecloth and towel for each cleaning. Cosmetics may be a source of recurrent infection, so avoid them if possible if you have eye problems. Be sure to clean the eye area, especially before applying any medication and when there is any type of discharge from the eye.

If you wear contact lenses, care for them and throw them away according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Watch for tree branches and twigs when walking in the woods. Getting scratched on the eye by organic matter is another way of getting a fungal eye infection.

Finally, avoid excessive sun exposure, as this can weaken the protective layer of the eye.

Report compiled by Temitope Obayendo from EyeHealthWeb, Allaboutvision.com and chealth.canoe.ca

Phyllantus Niruri – the little known all-round herbal remedy

Admin

10/10/2013

(By Dr. Paul Nanna)

Phyllanthus Niruri (Phyllanthusamarus) is one of the wonders of God Almighty. It is one of the herbs that He gave to mankind in Genesis 1:29. Knowing that man would eat things that would eventually cause various diseases in him, God created this plant, along with other plants, and caused it to grow commonly in man’s environment. Sadly, we have all ignored it in search of expensive chemical drugs from other climes.

A research fellow from Europe, who visited Cross River State, Nigeria in the 70s, told somebody, “I know that you Africans do not have any business buying chemical drugs from abroad. All the medicines you will ever need in your lives are in your bushes.”

Phyllanthus Niruri is one of such medicines. It is a well-known, widespread tropical plant that grows wild in coastal regions all over the world, including Nigeria. Other names by which it is known are stonebreaker and seed-under-leaf. These are names given to it because it is a well-known remedy for kidney stones and gallstones. Also, the flower and the seeds are found under the leaves. The bark of the leaf and the main stalk that holds the simple compound arrangement of the leaves are both of a lighter shade of green, giving the plant a distinct appearance. The plant can grow to 40 to 60 centimeters in height and it is an all-year-round plant.

Phytochemical Properties of PhyllanthusNiruri

Perhaps no other plant contains the number of biologically active chemicals as Phyllanthus Niruri and the Phyllanthus genus. This explains the widespread use of this plant for so many different ailments in the body. In fact some chemicals found in P. Niruri and other related plants in the Phyllanthus genus, are not found in any other plants. These chemicals include flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, glycosides, ellaginnins and phenylpropanoids. Common lipids and sterols are also found in these plants. These bioactive chemicals are found in the leaves, stem and root of the plants.

Medical uses

PhyllanthusNiruri(as well as its close relatives)has been used in the Indian traditional Ayurvedic medicine for a very long time in the treatment of ailments involving the genito-urinary system, stomach, kidney and the liver. It has also been used traditionally as herbal remedy for kidney stones in South American countries like Brazil and Peru.

Here in Nigeria, not much was known about this herb until recently. The reason being that traditional medicine practitioners always kept their knowledge of herbs and their modus operandi secret. Not only that, they created certain myths around these herbs that bordered on the diabolical, and so always discourage people who may have been interested in research.

Be that as it may, a team of Nigerian scientists, led by Dr. Charles O. Okoli, has done some work on the antidiabetic properties of P. Niruri. This team, which includes Obidike I. C., Ezike A. C.,Akah P. A., and Salawu O. A., studied the possible mechanism of the antidiabetic activity of extracts of aerial parts of Phyllanthus Niruri in 2011 (Pharmaceutical Biology (1388-0209) Okoli 49:248-255. They treated diabetic rats with aerial extracts of P. Niruri and checked their blood glucose levels. The blood glucose levels decreased and the absorption and storage of glucose also reduced.

Numerous studies carried out in different parts of the world have shown P. Niruri to possess hypoglycaemic properties and have been used even locally in Nigeria for the management of diabetes. Some other researchers have discovered substances that possess aldose reductase inhibition activity. Aldose reductases, in the presence of high blood sugar, act on exposed nerve endings, causing diabetic neuropathy and macular degeneration. Substances that have the ability to inhibit aldose reductases will therefore prevent these diabetic complications. The ellagic acid in P. Niruri is thought to be one of such inhibitors. So, we can safely say that a tea of P. Niruri leaves and seeds can be used to treat diabetes, and also as a prevention of certain diabetic complications as diabetic neuropathy and macular degeneration.

Part 2

PhyllantusNiruri is highly indicated in the management of kidney and gallbladder stones, hepatitis and liver disorders. In a study carried out by Nishuira et al in 2004 and published in the Urological Research Journal, it was discovered that Phyllantus Nirurinormalises elevated urinary calcium levels in calcium stone forming patients. According to the researchers, P. Niruri interferes with different stages of stone formation in the kidney, and modifies the structure and composition of the crystals, and reduces their aggregation. It also alters the interaction of the crystals with tubular epithelial cells.

Another group of researchers led by Boim M. A.looked at P. Niruri as a promising alternative treatment of nephrolithiasis (kidney stones). In their findings published in the International Brazil Journal of Urology in 2010, they found the clinical beneficial effect of P Niruri to be the relaxation of the ureters (the tube through which urine passes from the kidneys to the bladder). This helps to expel the stones that would otherwise have been retained in the kidneys, or to clear fragments following lithotripsy (a medical procedure by which internal hardened masses can be physically destroyed).

Phyllantus Niruri is known to have a diuretic effect and therefore causes an increase in urine output. An increase in urine output leads to the elimination of stones. Not only that, there is increased excretion of sodium and creatinine, which reduces the risk of kidney failure. Regular consumption of the leaves, flower, seeds and stem of P. Niruri as ground powder or teais a sure prevention against kidney stone formation, in especially those that are prone to it. Phyllantus Niruri and other related plants are said to have analgesic effects that maybe 3 to 4 times more potent than morphine and indomethacin respectively. Together, with their antispasmodic action, they have been found to be very suitable remedy for both kidney and gallbladder stones.

The analgesic property of the Phyllantus Nirurih as proven to be very effective in dealing with the severe pain that is associated with stones in the kidney and gall bladder. The spasmolytic (relaxation of smooth muscles) action of this group of plants is specific to the smooth muscles of both the ureters and bile ducts. Doctors in Brazil, Peru and Germany have reported a 94 to 100 per cent success in the elimination of kidney and gall stones in their patients.

Extracts of Phyllantus Niruri and other related species have also shown marked anti-hepatitis B surface antigen activity. Studies have shown that P. Niruri may have the capacity to inhibit the genetic material of the virus. Even among carriers, P. Niruri reduces the virus titre and has completely reduced it to zero in some cases.

In summary, Phyllantus Niruri possesses the following properties: antiviral, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antispasmodic, antipyretic, diuretic and analgesic.

General medical uses of P. Niruri include diabetes, kidney and gallbladder stones, hepatitis, viral infections, liver diseases, jaundice and liver cancer. Other uses are bacterial infections like tuberculosis, inflammation of the bladder and the prostate, venereal diseases and urinary tract infections, malaria fever and all kinds of cellular protection. Conditions like hypertension, anaemia, colds and flu also respond to P. Niruri.

The leaves, stem, seeds and roots of P. Niruri can be dried and ground into a powder that can be sprinkled on your food. Alternatively, you allow the whole plant, leaves, stem and root to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes and take in small amounts, 4 to 5 times daily, if you already have a stone in the gall bladder or kidney. A cup of tea with the plant can be taken once or twice for maintenance.

Pharm. Atueyi decries dearth of internship opportunities in pharmaceutical companies

Admin

10/10/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

Managing Director of Pharmanews Limited, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, has expressed concerns overthe shortage of opportunitiesfor pharmacy students seeking internship in pharmaceutical companies across the country.

The pharmacist voiced his worry during a courtesy visit by 500 level Pharmacy students of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State,led by Mr Igala Eze, president of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS) on 4^th September, 2013.

According to him, there had beenseveral cases of Pharmacy students endlessly wandering about, seeking where totrain as interns without success, noting that it was not a good sign for the pharmaceutical industry.

The Pharmanews boss however challenged the students to remain focused and determined in fulfilling their professional aspirations, regardless of challenges, while also stressing the need for them to strive for diligence, when they eventually start working, and to place God first in all of their undertakings in life.

“The labour market is a training ground to prepare you for your journey. It is possible some of you could end up in pharmaceutical companies or hospitals. However you must note that there is a purpose for being there. It is not by accident,” he counseled.

Women cautioned against drug misuse … as lady pharmacists mark their day

Admin

10/10/2013

(By Adebayo Oladejo)

Women in the country have, once again, been charged to make their health a major priority, as the growth and development of the nation primarily depends on their wellbeing.

The call was made by Professor OlukemiOdukoya, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG), while delivering her keynote address at this year’s Association of Lady Pharmacists, Lagos State Chapter Day, held at the Maternal and Child Unit of Randle General Hospital, Gbaja, Surulere, Lagos recently.

Addressing a large audience comprisingmainly pregnant women and nursing mothers, the university don spoke on the theme, “Safe Pharmaceutical Care as a Tool in National Health Development.”

According to her, focus on maternal, infant and child health has continued to be a priority for states, as they aim to improve the health of the nation and reduce healthcare costs. She said that African women,including those in Nigeria, often suffer and die from common preventable diseases, adding that a large part of their illnesses and deathsarise from the process of pregnancy and childbirth.

“The major causes of death related to pregnancy are hypertension, bleeding, infections and ruptured uterus. Illegal abortions also result in death. Antenatal delivery and postnatal services are often inaccessible, and even when available, they can be inadequate. Iron deficiency has an adverse effect on the mother and baby, while sexually transmitted diseases are common, as well as HIV/AIDS,” she disclosed.

She further revealed that“on the other hand, infertility is also a problem, leading to social isolation and psychological and physical abuse for women, while malnutrition in rural areas, rape and battery are serious health problems.”

Speaking on the need for safe use of medicines, Odukoya advised mothers that even though medicines, including vaccines, are used to treat and prevent many illnesses and can be used in conjunction with other treatments, they should however be used with care. She explained that the approval of a medicine by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) does not mean that the medicine is approved for general use, adding that specific doses are fortreatments of specific illnesses and conditions.

“There is no prescription drug or over-the-counter remedy that is without risk, even when taken according to directions;besides, some prescription and over-the-counter drugs have never been tested for safety in the elderly, infants, children, pregnant women and lactating mothers,” she revealed.

Continuing, she advised nursing mothers and pregnant women to take their medicines according to instructions printed on the label or packaging, stressing also the need to consult their pharmacists when unsure of information about any drug.

In her contribution, Chief TemiladeFayemi (Alias IyaMetta), a traditional birth attendant and prominent herbal medicine practitioner in Lagos State, who represented the Lagos State herbal medicine practitioners at the event, thanked the organisers of the programme for inviting the herbal medicine practitioners to be part of the programme. She said it was a step in the right direction and that it was an indication that healthcare givers were beginning to realise the need to work as a team.

“We are very grateful to God and to the government for making sure that healthcare providers, irrespective of their backgrounds, are now working together as a family. Traditional and herbal Medicines Practitioners today can confidently raise their hands over their shoulders, among other healthcare providers in the country, and this is a good development for the health sector,” she stated.

She further advised that, in healthcare delivery, especially as it concerns pregnant women and nursing mothers, efforts should be made to enlighten the public that the contributions of healthcare providers like medical doctors, pharmacists and others cannot be overemphasised. She noted that it is important for all pregnant women and nursing mothers to have their names registered at a certified government or private hospital, adding that the fact that one patronises a traditional clinic does not prevent her from also registering at an approved medical centre.

“There are so many benefits of patronising approved medical hospitals.It exposes the mother and the unborn baby or babies to adequate medical care. It also allows expectant couples to know the state and condition of the foetus through scan.It allows them to know if there is any challenge, such as fibroid with the pregnancy; and it also allows the couple to know if the foetus is single or multiple. All these services are rarely found in a traditional clinic and that is why we encourage mothers to also patronise medical hospitals,” she declared.

Also speaking at the event, Pharm. (Chief) YetundeMorohundiya, immediate past national chairman, Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), said Nigeria has very poor rating in matters of maternal and child mortality, adding that even though the government and other major stakeholdersare doing their best, a lot still needs to be done.

On the vital role of traditional medicine practitioners in healthcare delivery, Morohundiya said: “We have found out and even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has realised that 80 percent of our population still goes to traditional birth attendants and traditional healers. So, we cannot take away our traditional healers froma comprehensive and holistic healthcare system; and that is why the Federal Government ordered the states to have traditional medicine boards, so as to integrate the traditional practice into orthodox medicine and to regulate the activities of the traditional medicine practitioners. I am happy to inform you that the Lagos State Government has been at the forefront of this development and I am also a member of that board. We have to let the people know what to do and what not to do and we have to draw the lines, so that people would be properly informed on the limitations of traditional care. This is yielding a great result, as we have gained access to so many women for immunisation, HIV screening, etc through these traditional birth attendants.”

Meanwhile, speaking earlier with journalist, Pharm. ModupeOlogunagba, chairperson, ALPs, Lagos Branch and chief host of the event, said the purpose of the programme, aside from being a part of the Pharmacy Week programmeofthe Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, was to celebrate motherhood and childhood in the state. “Maternal and child health is a goal that we have set, being female members of the profession and we are happy that this goal is in line with goal five of the millennium development goals. Nigeria is a country that has not done well, when it comes to the indices of health, as regards to infant and maternal development; so we feel that, as professionals, we could add value to people’s lives by coming forth to give health information and education, especially on drugs because it is the most important in the healthcare system, without which the system is not complete.”

On her message to mothers, she urged them to be up and doing, adding that those still in their productive years should pay adequate attention to their health, while pregnant women mustbe sure to take necessary precautions required of them.

“Women should depend less on self-help or self-treatment and seek medical care or healthcare in recognised institutions and from registered healthcare professionals,” she counselled.

Beneficiaries of the programme could not hide their joy, as majority of them went home with gifts and several packages. While thanking the organisers, Mrs HannNwanawu and Mrs AbibatAkande, who came with their five-month-old and three-month-old daughters respectively, said their joys could not be withheld when their daughters’ names were announced as winners in the Baby Pageant competition. According to Mrs.Nwanawu, “I came here to listen to the health talk and also to learn more on how to take care of myself and my baby, but I got more than enough when free drugs were distributed and also when my baby’s name was announced as one of the winners in the babies’ pageant competition.”

The programme, which had a considerable number of nursing mothers, pregnant women and pharmacists in attendance, was also graced by dignitaries including Mrs AfolakemiSanya, who represented Honourable AbikeDabiriErewa; Pharm. AkintundeObembe, chairman, PSN, Lagos State; Pharm. Bisi Bright; Mrs AfusatAdeshina; Pharm. MobolalnleAdekoya; Pharm. OlufunkeLawal, among others.

A cross-section of mothers and officials of ALPS at the event

Rotary Club holds free health camp

Admin

10/10/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

In what can best be described as service before self, no fewer than 500 people recently benefitted from a free health camp organised by the Rotary Club of Lagos, Palmgrove Estate, in conjunction with the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Importers of Nigeria (IPMIN).

The health camp which took place at the Indian Community in Palmgrove Estate on Saturday, 24th August, is one of the eight projects lined up for this year by the international service organisation as part of its humanitarian contributions to the society.

Also in attendance were members of IPMIN such as Dana, Ranbaxy, Therapeutics, Cadila and Sam Pharmaceuticals who reportedly donated the drugs given out to the beneficiaries.

Speaking with Pharmanews, Venugopal Jajoo, president of the club, explained that the health camp is conducted every three to four months.

“The essence of this camp is to provide free consultation and test on blood pressure, diabetic checks, HIV/AIDS as well as general medical check-up. As it often turns out, the prevalent cases are mainly malaria-related.

“This is why we have several doctors on ground to ensure treatments on any ailment are delivered promptly. Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate all the pharmaceutical companies under IPMIN that have been supporting us,” he said.

The Rotarian also disclosed that among the remaining projects for the year were eye screening and surgery camp, donation of artificial limbs to the physically-challenged, provision of potable water (borehole) and toilets to schools, replenishment of public libraries, medical and financial assistance to patients suffering from debilitating illnesses, support through donation of incubators and technical books to hospitals and cancer awareness seminar.

Corroborating his statement, Suman Ramesh, ex-president of the club, announced that over 46,000 artificial limbs had so far been donated while about 15,000 had undergone the free eye surgery.

Rotary Club of Lagos, Palmgrove Estate, was officially birthed on 30th June, 2008 as the 81st humanitarian organisation in the District 9110. It was formed through a combined effort of two Indians – Mr N. G. Patel and Mr D. S. Mirani (both industrialists) together with Alexander Thompoulous and Dr. M. D. Shoga.

With an initial membership of 20 professionals, the club today boasts of 48 active members.

Why I feel sorry for Nigerian pharmacists – Dr. Femi Olaleye

Admin

10/10/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Optimal Healthcare Limited, Dr. Femi Olaleye, has explained why he continually worries over the challenges that the average pharmacist in the country faces.

Addressing participants during a workshop on “Leadership, Effective Communication Skills and Financial Management for Health Care Personnel” held at Pharmanews Training Centre, Maryland, Lagos on 20th August, 2013, the medical doctor remarked that the rate at which pharmacists in the country were grappling to contain drug counterfeiters in the society was quite alarming.

“Until now, pharmacy training used to be quite expensive. Not many Nigerian schools were offering the course. But the same cannot be said today, as more public universities are now offering it,” he recalled.

Olaleye said he could not imagine how pharmaceutical manufacturers would go through the rigour of getting potent drugs in place for the wellness of patients and some unscrupulous elements would travel out to countries to fake them.

“In some cases, they will even mislabel the products, thereby putting the lives of innocent people at risk. Where a particular medicine is 50mg, these fakers often add another ‘0’ to make it 500mg. An innocent doctor sees it and recommends the dosage, as part of his prescription.

“This perhaps explains why so many people have died, and are still dying, because of adverse drug reaction, overdose or other mishaps. Consequently, many medical professionals and pharmaceutical manufacturers have been penalized, while the real perpetrators of drug counterfeiting are at large,” he observed.

According to the distinguished medical doctor, even patent medicine dealers today recruit people for apprenticeship, after which they begin to see themselves as qualified pharmacists. In their quest to make quick money, these self-acclaimed drug dispensers are known to carry out diagnosis and prescription with impunity.

“I don’t understand how a chemist prescribes anti-inflammatory pills to be taken before meals or why another would claim a patient has spinal cord injury from a cut? Ridiculous, to say the least! Same thing is happening in hospitals today, where people who work in mortuary section started seeing themselves as pathologists,” he lamented.

As a way out of the malaise, Dr. Olaleye suggested certain measures, which include waging a decisive war against drug counterfeiting, ensuring strict regulation of the practice of pharmacy and carrying out proper training of chemists.

“Also, there is the need to remove the barriers to entry for adequate pharmacy business for new and ethical entrants, as well as to create synergies among patent medicine dealers, chemists, doctors, nurses, lab scientists and pharmacists,so as to do away with inferiority complex. After all, nobody can claim to know everything,” he said.

In attendance at the Pharmanews workshop were doctors, pharmacists, nurses, medical lab scientists and other clinical, administrative and technical personnel in the health care and pharmaceutical industry.

Federal Government to prohibit sales of drugs in open market

Admin

10/10/2013

On the11th of September 2013, about 10,000 traders at the Bridge-Head Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, took over the Onitsha-Enugu Road to protest the recent announcement by the Federal Government to prohibit sales of drugs in the open market from June 30th, 2014.

The chairman of Onitsha Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Union (OPPMDU), Mr Kenneth Nwosu, while speaking with newsmen during the peaceful demonstration, said that the planned policy of the government would affect over 10,000 drug traders negatively, noting that their livelihood and those of their families and extended family members depended on the market.

While appealing to the government to reconsider implementing the policy, he said there were thousands of youths learning the art of drug trading in Anambra and other states in the country whose future would become bleak, as a result of the policy.

He urged the government to rescind the decision, in the interest of the security and economic well-being of the Southeast and Nigeria, as a whole, saying the closure of the market would lead to more crime.

He equally kicked against the plan to replace the open drug market with the proposed Mega Drug Distribution Centres (MDDCs). In his words: “We have over 5,000 shops in this Bridge-Head Market and over 10,000 traders doing business here. What happens to them and their direct dependants and extended family members? The proposed complex the government wants to use for its MDDCs in Onitsha has only 124 shops. We all know that there is a dearth of pharmacists to effectively cover these shops and administer drugs to our people.”

Mr Ugochukwu Ezeani, chairman, Onitsha South LGA, while addressing the traders, commended them for ensuring the demonstration was peaceful and organised. He urged them to remain calm and promised to convey their grievances to the governor of the state and other Southeast governors, who would look into the matter and find a beneficial solution to all.

First of all, we join in commending the traders for ensuring their protest was peaceful and we acknowledge that the government should always consider the effect of its policies on the people, especially, economic effects of policies on the citizens.

However, it must be emphasised that other reasons than economic ones are equally germane when formulating or/and implementing policies, especially policies that have effect on the health of the people.

It must be stated that the selling of drugs in the open market is indeed illegal. The fact that it had gone unchecked for years was due to poor enforcement of constitutional provisions. According to the first fake drug law promulgated in 1988 (Decree 21 of 1988), the sale of drugs is prohibited in any place that does not have the formal approval and certification of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).Yet the unregistered markets have been in business for years.

These illegal markets have been repeatedly identified as the major bedrock in the sale and distribution of fake and substandard medicines in the country. It has been argued by experts, and rightly so, that any effort aimed at ridding the country of the menace of fake drugs without first dismantling the plethora of open and illegal drug markets in the country is an exercise in futility.

The challenge, until now, had always been availability of alternative markets, when the illegal ones are closed. This is why the Federal Government must be commended for this initiative of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines policy, which is aimed at ensuring that only safe and effective medicines are distributed in Nigeria and used by Nigerians. The mega drug distribution centres, according to the guidelines, are to be properly regulated by the relevant agencies and manned by trained professionals. This is to ensure that only genuine drugs are distributed through the centres and that the handling of the drugs is done ethically. It is also to ensure there is a standard process of recall and tracing of drugs in circulation in Nigeria.

The drug traders must be enlightened that drugs are not just an article of trade, like salt or biscuits. Drugs are sensitive products and how they are stored, transported and handled, even when they are genuine, have impact not only on their efficacy but also safety, when ingested. Consequently, to continue having unregulated open drug markets, where charlatans freely sell expired, fake, substandard and adulterated medicines to unsuspecting Nigerians, portends a serious situation for the country.

The Bridge-Head Market drug traders must be educated on how to do genuine and legal business. They should find a way to be part of the regulated mega distribution structures initiative of the Federal Government. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the health sector and indeed all Nigerians to join hands to ensure that this initiative works.

ElectroClerk software will make life easier for community pharmacists -Morak

Admin

10/10/2013

To enhance professionalism and reduce stress in daily business operation of community pharmacies in Nigeria, Electrokingdom Limited, an innovative software company, has introduced ElectroClerk Pharmacy Software, which it said will help make life easier for community pharmacists.

Speaking with Pharmanews at the 32^nd Annual National Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held at the Cultural Centre, Calabar, Cross River State, recently, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the company, Mr. Morak Bamigboye-Aje, disclosed that the software is specifically made for community pharmacists, as it affords them the opportunity to operate their pharmacies without stress, adding that it also saves time and resources.

“We encourage all community pharmacists to move with the trend, because with our pharmacy software, your patient’s medical records can be kept, so that your patient gets up-to-date messages on their phones on how to take their drugs and when to take them. It also enables you to receive alerts on your daily sales report, while you can connect to your database online and get all the information you desire about your pharmacies. It goes beyond that, as it also helps you to keep accurate records of your inventory, product expiry dates, and allows you to monitor the frequency of your sales, even when you are not around.”

According to him, the software is useful to those who are just setting up pharmacy outlets and those who are already established in the profession. “The steps are very easy, as they only require that the person should buy our software and install it on his or her computer, which may be more than one or two. It does not take more than three minutes to install and it can be done by the pharmacist or any other person. By the time the person tries to activate it, an activation code would be sent to the person’s phone number. So, if it is successful, the person can start using the software,” he said.

The Electrokindgom boss explained that the most beautiful thing about the software was that it does not require annual renewal fee or licence fee, saying that the person only needs to buy the software for one outlet at a time and it can work for as many computers as possible. “However, as we all know that software as a technology keeps evolving, if you have a version this year, an upgraded version may come out next year. This does not mean that you would have to throw away the old version that you have. All you have to do is to buy an update at a very cheap price, or you may decide to keep using the old one that you have, since it doesn’t change anything. It is just like having an old model phone that is serving you and wanting to buy a new model.”

While expatiating on some other products that the company sells, apart from ElectroClerk, he explained that the company, which was established in 1998, started by writing customised software for companies, but decided at a point to start writing unified software for companies. “At that point, anybody can walk into our company and when they mention the kind of business they do, we would give them the software that works with it. So, apart from pharmacy software, we also sell school software for primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, which enables the schools to monitor their payments online, upload and check their school results and do so many other things. We also haveElectroClerk for bookshops, for general commerce, microfinance and cooperative institutions.”

Speaking on the company’s relationship with the ACPN in both Rivers and Lagos States, he said the software had been bought in bulk by both states, adding that Rivers State had already sold the first batch that they bought to their members. “Presently, the software is sold at just fifty thousand naira, outside the conference, but at conferences like we are now, the price varies. Meanwhile, it is advisable that states buy in bulk, like Rivers and Lagos States are doing. When they buy in bulk, it reduces the price and the pharmacists would have to buy from their associations,” he said.

He stated further that labelling is very easy when using the software because it redresses irrational drug use and medication errors. “So, community pharmacists who are yet to buy into this innovation are encouraged to do so, as a pharmacistshould be able to show a difference in his practice from that of ordinary drug hawkers,” he said.

He said that the slogan of the company is “making life easier”, adding that his firm is determined to put smiles on the faces of every pharmacist in this country. He hopes that, in the long run, no community pharmacist would have any other choice than to adopt this innovation.

L-R, Mr MorakBamigboye-Aje, chief executive officer, Electrokingdom Limited and a staffmember at the 32nd ACPN Conference, held in Calabar, Cross River State.

Bright tasks PSN on proper documentation of pharmaceutical care

Admin

10/10/2013

(By Temitope Obayendo)

For pharmacists in Nigeria to be rated successful in their practice of pharmaceutical care, comparable with their counterparts in other progressive climes, there must be proper documentation of the process, Pharm Bisi Bright , CEO, Live Well Initiative (LWI), has said.

The LWI boss made the remark while presenting the keynote address at the Pharmacy Week 2013 held by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos Branch, at the Airport Hotel, on August 29th, 2013.

Speaking on the theme of the programme, “Pharmaceutical Care and Public Health Interventions as Key Tools to Healthy Nation Building”, Bright said documentation is the bedrock of pharmaceutical care, stressing that “if it is not documented, it did not happen”.

She further explained how pharmaceutical care documentation is measured in different parts of the world, saying it is measured as a Core Procedure Technique (CPT) in the USA, while in the UK, Australia, India and many other countries, it is measured as Outcome and Impact.

She therefore called on the leadership of the pharmacy profession at the national and state levels to rise to the challenge, by ensuring that all pharmacists in the nation adhere to the rule of documentation in pharmaceutical care.

Earlier on in her presentation, the consultant clinical pharmacist had defined pharmaceutical care as “a collaborative drug therapy process usually initiated by the pharmacist and in consultation with the physician, with respect to the correct use of medicines, medication adherence and self-medication.”

She noted that pharmaceutical care ensures that the patient uses his medication as correctly, efficiently and safely as possible, with minimum side effects and with resultant desirable outcomes. “Since 70 per cent of all medical interventions involve the use of medicines, then it can be said that pharmaceutical care plays a significant role in 70 per cent of all medical interventions,” she asserted.

On the second tool for healthy nation building, which is public health, she noted that public health was more than providing treatment for an illness: “it focuses on health concerns and the resultant disease burden in relation to the individual and his or her external environment.”

Reacting to the issue of documentation, the Lagos State PSN chairman, Pharm. Akintunde Obembe, said he agreed with the submissions of the keynote speaker on documentation in pharmaceutical care, adding that the leadership of the profession at each level would brace up to the challenge.

“Honestly, as she has really challenged us, we are going to take it up, because documentation is the very key to enlighten us better in whatever we are doing, because if it is not documented, it is assumed pharmaceutical care is not done. We have now come to that realisation that whatever we are doing must be documented. And not ordinary documentation, but it must be scientifically documented, so that we can, at a glance, know where we are, what we are doing, what we need to do etc.,” he said.

On the level of achievements the state chapter had recorded so far, the PSN boss said the chapter had a lot to offer to the people, which could be deduced even from the theme of the pharmacy week. He disclosed that members of the chapter had realised that pharmaceutical care was very important in health care delivery; as a result, they had decided to actually look at all that was needed in the process, so that they could contribute towards the development of the entire national health care delivery process.

He also acknowledged that, though there was shortage of pharmacists, the chapter would not be hindered from achieving its goal of providing safe and beneficial pharmaceutical care. “There are emerging roles for pharmacists in different areas; and our people in the communities are still behind in knowing what to do, in terms of safe medicines; thus, all these things and many more are what we are doing to sensitise the environment, so that their health will not be jeopardised,” he remarked.

AIPN launches research grant for pharmacy faculties – PSN president commends initiative

Admin

10/10/2013

(By Yusuff Moshood)

To ensure qualitative pharmaceutical research and development in the nation’s tertiary institutions, the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (AIPN), has launched a two-million-naira research grant, to assist faculties of pharmacy, nationwide.

The AIPN’s national chairman, Dr. Lolu Ojo, while speaking with Pharmanews at the formal launch of the grant at the Pharmacy House, Lagos, recently, lamented that the banes of the nation’s tertiary institutions, over the years, have been poor funding, infrastructural decay and the likes.

While commending pharmacy lecturers for their tenacity of purpose and forbearance, Ojo said that the hope of AIPN was that the humble contribution of the two million naira research grant would trigger resurgence of research activities in the faculties of pharmacy throughout the country.

The AIPN boss also thanked Prof. Fola Tayo for accepting to be the coordinator of the grant project.

Also speaking at the occasion, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), commended the AIPN leadership for initiating the project. He noted that giving a research grant to faculties of pharmacy in Nigeria is a laudable project, adding that the PSN would also look into how to reinforce the idea.

The chairman of the PSN Board of Fellows, Pharm. Ade Popoola, in his remarks at the occasion, also commended the AIPN leadership for the various innovations it had introduced since inauguration, and lauded Dr. Lolu Ojo for taking the association to the next level.

While praising AIPN for the research grant initiative, he prayed that the successor of Dr. Lolu Ojo, as national chairman, would sustain all the wonderful projects of the Lolu Ojo-led executives.

Presenting the guidelines for proposals from the faculties of pharmacies to get the research grant, Prof. Fola Tayo, the grant coordinator, also commended the Lolu Ojo-led executives of AIPN for the grant idea, adding that the initiative would greatly help to ensure that research work done by the lecturers in the faculties of pharmacy in the country had industrial and commercial impacts.

While calling on faculty members to come forward and apply for the grant, the coordinator urged applicants to strictly follow stated guidelines, adding that failure to follow the guidelines would result in automatic disqualification.

He also added that the selection process is strictly on merit, noting that attempts to lobby or influence the process would not only result in disqualification but also a ban on future application from the indicted applicant.

Amongst the dignitaries present at the occasion were: Prof. Olukemi A. Odukoya, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos; Prof. C.P. Babalola, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan and Prof. (Mrs) G.O Onawunmi, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Business angels, venture capital and the financing challenge

Admin

09/10/2013

Business angels or angel investors are individuals who make equity investments in businesses. Many are successful entrepreneurs who want to help other entrepreneurs get their business off the ground. The unique thing is that the investment is not a loan but is made for equity (ownership). The business angel bears the risk of the business as the entrepreneur, hence the use of the term “risk-equity” financing to describe such investments.

In Nigeria, business angel investments were relatively popular before the stock market crash that hit the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Most were organised as angel-forums where individuals pooled funds to invest in public traded securities. Since the crunch, a few of such angel-forums have re-organised to focus on other investment platforms, other than the stock market. This could be due to the near absence of business management structures that are credible enough to handle such investments. However, wherever such management structures exist, finding investments has not been too hard a venture.

Venture capital, on the other hand, is a more organised investment made by venture capital firms for equity (about 30 per cent). The major difference between venture capital and angel investment is the degree of organisation and the amount of money involved.Both investments are “risk” and “equity” funding.

Let us say you developed your business from scratch (sweat equity) and, after one year,you have invested approximately N3 million. An angel investor comes in to make further investment for a 30 per cent stake in the firm. The angel investor brings not only money but experience and contacts to bear in the investment and the firm is valued, based on present and future potentials. These other contributions of the investor, such as expertise, contacts and influence should be considered in deciding if you should take the investment.

If need be, your business might still require a large amount to expand to three cities or go national and if the banks are not forthcoming with the money, a venture funding might be a good option with an exit strategy of either a debt exit or sell off at an IPO. Other exit strategies include franchising (used by UAC with the Mr Biggs franchise), trade acquisition, management buy-out and mergers.

Actis, a venture financing firm operating in Africa and Asia, has handled investments in Nigeria that involved projects like The Palms, Ikeja City Mall and Starcomms.It also currently has investments in Diamond Bank and Mouka, the mattress company.

Looking for investment?

Generally, investors are looking for the 3 M’s:

1. Mathematics

2. Market

3. Management

The risk-equity financing proposal should show these three and the exit strategy.

Mathematics

The mathematics of the proposal must be right. Mathematics refers to the returns on investment. It is usually the first thing the investor looks at. How much are the returns and how fast can they be obtained? The ideal venture financing proposal should give, at least, a hundred per cent return in the first two years and a potential of 300 per cent to 600 per cent returns in the third year.

Market

This is the “how” of the matter.How do you hope to achieve these stunning figures? Note that a venture capitalist is not a novice to the business or he would not consider it. The idea and strategy has to sell sufficiently with him, regardless of the appeal of the mathematics. It should show the market opportunity, which must be wide enough. The ideal opportunity should not be limited to a very short window in time or restricted to a very narrow range of customers. There should be some characteristic unique to the company that is seeking the investment; something known by marketers as the unique selling point.

Management

It takes individuals to grow a business and the reputation of these individuals is the most important thing in evaluating an investment opportunity. In writing a proposal to a venture capitalist, it is usually recommended that the resume of the managers be attached first.

The management’s record of achievement in the resume, the quality of the business plan and the management’s ability to explain the opportunity to an outsider are key indices that give the investor an opinion of the management’s capacity to deliver.An investor will not commit money to a management whose integrity is in doubt, regardless of the enticements of the mathematics.

Structuring the deal

Note that, with the right financial instruments, a risk equity financing decision could be made to act as a loan. Typically, most business angels invest for ordinary shares.

The simplest of all financial instruments is the loan. A loan does not command an ownership structure and VCs (venture capitalists) will leave this arena for the banks.

Next are the ordinary shares. They command rights of ownership and are permanent. Ordinary shares live as long as the business does.They can be increased but not decreased.Most business angels would ask for ordinary shares, as they are not complicated.When more funding is required, more ordinary shares could be added, thereby diluting the voting power of existing shareholders.An investor could ask for an “anti-dilution” clause in the article of association, to prevent this from happening. Hence, the need for future financing should be considered in the deal structure and the terms spelt out.

Next are the preferred ordinary shares also known as preferred shares,which are generally preferred by institutional investors – venture capital firms–as they are entitled to a slice of the distributable profits before ordinary shares. They are “preferred” in the ranking of entitlements to dividend. Voting rights may or may not be the same, depending on what the article of association says.

Nature of preferred ordinary shares

1. They often do not have voting rights: this is to ensure management control, as the main use of preferred shares is to get finance without reducing management control or ownership.

2. They could earn fixed interest over time: these are called participating preferred ordinary shares (PPO), also known as participating ordinary. They get a fixed percentage of the distributable profit, for instance, a 5 per cent PPO of the distributable profits. This gives the investor some fixed returns, regardless of how the business fares, as long as there are profits.

3. The dividend could be cumulative; so we can have cumulative participating preferred ordinaries (CPPO). This implies that a dividend not paid for a particular financial season will be paid in the next once the money is available.

4. Preferred shares could be callable or redeemable.Redeemable shares are a bit like loans but unlike loans there are no guarantees. These redeemable preferred shares have a predetermined value (par value) at which the issuing company (venture financed firm) can call them back. For instance, a million unit of shares at N5 each could be given at a par value of N8 (60 per cent ROI profit) on or before one year of investment. This implies that the company can pay out this investment even before the maturity date.

Since the number of units of a company share cannot be reduced, redeemable shares are redeemed either from distributable reserves or from a fresh issue of shares.

Redeemable shares have the advantage that they motivate the entrepreneur to perform and pay back quickly for greater ownership, while increasing the speed of returns for the investor.

Let us assume you have found an investor and he likes your M’s. The next challenge is how to structure the deal. It is always bestto have a good idea of what your business is worth and the degree of ownership you are willing to share. The best bet for really big investments is to use a mixture of ordinary and preferred shares, or to use preferred shares alone. The various characteristics of preferred shares allow both parties to agree on expectations.

You will however need to be flexible in the valuation, as it is quite unlikely that your valuation of your business and that of the venture capitalist will be the same. Valuation is not a precise science; it is only normal that two parties will see the same things differently.

Also take into consideration the fact that you may need additional funding, as the investor may not want his shares diluted by an additional round of financing. This may require you to leave a “headroom” for this additional financing.

Ideally, investors would want to own about 30 to 40 per cent of the business, as they do not want to become full owners of the business. The use of preferred shares by venture funds allows them to provide the required amount of cash without owning the business outright. The use of preferred shares could allow an investor to contribute about 70per cent of the required sum and maintain about 30per cent ownership.

It is my own opinion that business angels, business angel networks and venture firms do have a lot to contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy and the pharmaceutical industry in particular.

Provided the mathematics, market and management are right, risk-equity financing could be of help in scenarios where loan is not available or is deemed too risky. Research driven ventures have benefited immensely from risk equity financing. Giants like facebook, Microsoft, Apple Computers, Research in Motion and Google are testimonies to the value of risk-equity financing.

In Nigeria, the following are important considerations:

1. Entrepreneurs must learn how to pitch right.

2. A thorough business plan is essential.

3. Sweat equity should be present; that is, the money and efforts of management.

4. The plan should have an exit strategy for the investor.

5. Real estate, telecommunication, Dot coms, pharmaceutical research, Nollywood, hospitality and consumer goods industries are potential ventures friendly industries.

6. Venture equity entails a seat on the board of directors and the legal agreements would stipulate the degree of influence.

7. Companies looking for venture money should have a corporate structure and appreciate its value.

8. Entrepreneurs must also demonstrate why they can be trusted (not because they said so) but by providing strategies within the plan that assure the angel or venture firm of their investment.

9. Most entrepreneurs do not want to share equity; you may have to resolve this bias first.

10. The fear of manipulation by venture firms or angels is real; thus the need to find the right firm.

11. A consultancy firm could go a long way in providing useful advice.

Risk equity financing will play a big role in the days to come, however, we muststart with proper education on how

things work. Regardless of the immense

challenges in the Nigerian business system, there are lots of untapped potentialities that risk equity financing offers.

We must prepare to harness these

potentialities.

Do you also run?

Admin

24/09/2013

My final year in school, in 1958, was memorable. As a good student, I was appointed a house prefect. Only those who were academically sound, trustworthy and obedient were considered for leadership positions. At the end of the year, the principal issued testimonials to support the West African School Certificates. I was among those that made Grade One. My own testimonial highly commended my character, diligence and leadership abilities. He concluded with my sporting abilities and performance, saying, “He also ran.” He was right because I did not perform well in sports and games. I actually took part in compulsory ones and dodged the optional ones. I was taking part only to fulfill all righteousness. My interest in football and hockey waned when I fractured my left wrist in the football field. Coping with school activities, with plaster of Paris on my hand for months, was not easily forgettable. I associated the discomfort and inconvenience with football.

In the early seventies, I joined the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, even though I was not a sports enthusiast, a beer drinker orsuya eater. Consequently, I did not benefit much from the membership of the club. Going there was only for the purpose of taking the children for relaxation and playing around. After many years of renewing my membership dues, which kept increasing, I decided to drop out.

In 1978, I took a marketing course at the Tufts University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and there I was not happy that I did not enjoy the sporting facilities provided for the participants. In fact, I regretted it so much that I bought some sports kits to participate actively in games at the Lagos Country Club, on my return to Nigeria. But the situation did not change. The lethargy persisted.

Indeed, what the principal wrote in my testimonial was true and prophetic. I thank God that I attended the Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, and passed through wonderful and dedicated teachers, who gave us good foundations for life.

The truth is that “I also ran.” I never engaged in any serious sports to impress anybody or to win a prize. With that mindset, I was far from excelling. At best, I was a mediocre.

This attitude of mediocrity is the main reason many people do not prosper in what they do. They do not perform to excel and be the best. Instead, they are satisfied with being average and getting lost in the crowd. They make insignificant and unimpressive contributions and leave no footprints, as they move along. I am impressed by the attitude of Apostle Paul to his ministry when he declared, “Do you know that in a race all the runners compete, but (only) one receives the prize? So run (your race) that you may lay hold (of the prize) and make it yours…Therefore, I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary” (1 Corinthians 9:24-26 AMP). Paul was determined to succeed in his ministry and leave indelible marks before his death. He did not want be an “also-ran“.

I believe that everyone has a definite contribution to make. There is a purpose for everyone’s life. But that purpose cannot be achieved without striving. By striving, you must perform to win. Winning a prize demands adequate preparation, determination, perseverance, commitment, concentration and focus.

There is competition in everything we do and there is need to gain competitive advantage, in order to be a leader or winner. Of course, in business, those that aspire to win must cut a niche for themselves. But some businesses are just coasting along, with no desire to lead. The danger in this attitude is that if you are not progressing, then you are retrogressing. You cannot remain at the same spot for a long time. If you do not ascend, you will descend.

My principal’s remarks were truthful. We used to run cross-country race –thelongest and toughest, through narrow prefabricated bridges, bush paths and shallow ponds. I took part but by the time I returned to the starting point, the winners were rejoicing with their admirers. But I consoled myself with “after all, I also ran”.

This life is a race which is compulsory, not optional. While some are running to win the race, others are just running for the sake of running. They are just shadowboxing or beating the air. The running has no definite purpose or direction. It is aimless. This creates a life of frustration, uncertainty and ultimate catastrophe. What does it profit a man, if at the end of the life’s race, he is disqualified. God forbid. The unfortunate testimony will be, “He also ran.”

In the cross-country race, some students missed the track and wandered into the bush. This happens today in real life. Some people have completely gone off the right track and are just wandering. They have lost their guides and their bearing. They will continue to drift and, of course, eventually land somewhere, sometime. The only remedy is to retrace their steps and follow the guide. Psalm 32:8 says, “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'” This is a great promise for those who have derailed and sincerely want to return to their destiny.

In whatever you do, don’t pray to receive a testimonial that reads, “He also ran”.Instead, do it to excel and succeed. Success follows competence, diligence and skill in your work. “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mere men” (Proverbs 22:29).

Lady pharmacists, ACPN take health screening to brothel …Over two hundred sex workers get free HIV, blood sugar test

Admin

18/09/2013

(By Adebayo Oladejo)

It was a case of taking the bull by the horns, when the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), Lagos State Chapter, in collaboration with the duo of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Ajeromi/ IfelodunZone, and Howard University – Pharmacy and Continuing Education Centre (HU – PACE) held a special Health Counselling and Screening programme at the Phase 1 and 2 brothel, Tolu Road, Ajegunle, Lagos.

The programme, which was organised to offer free counselling and screening “on HIV, blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and body fat and skeletal muscle tone amongst special women population” became necessary, in order to effectively reach certain segments of the population, who for particular reasons might not be disposed to personally avail themselves of the benefits of health screening and counselling.

According to Pharm. Modupe Ologunagba, chairperson, ALPs (Lagos State Chapter), “our motive behind this programme was to make sure we penetrate some special set of people, like these commercial sex workers, so as to sensitise them primarily to regularly undertake screening on their blood sugar, body mass index, body fat, their skeletal bones, as well as HIV. At the end of the screening, we discovered that a lot of them had never undertaken the blood sugar monitoring before. We also discovered that a small percentage of them have issues with their blood sugar, which was as a result of their high consumption of alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.”

She further disclosed that HIV in Nigeria “is spreading at an alarming rate, and a lot of people, especially the less privileged, are not even aware of the importance of health screening and are not aware of some other disease conditions that pose risks to their health. So, we are here to give this special set of people free health information, health education and undertake health screening.”

While addressing the sex workers, Pharm. Ologunagba urged them to consider their health first in whatever they did, adding that looking healthy was not an indication that one was free from HIV/AIDS. “Nigeria has the second largest number of new infections reported yearly, because one in every twenty people is said to be living with the virus. Every moment, someone dies of AIDS-related illness and Nigeria is ranked second in HIV prevalence in Sub- Saharan Africa.”

Speaking further, she said it was important that the target population of the programme knew their status, as it would help improve the quality of their health, adding that the test was absolutely confidential, as only the counsellors had access to the results, and they were not allowed to discuss them with anyone, other than the specific individuals concerned. “You need to make up your minds and don’t be discouraged by what you hear people say about HIV/AIDS test; they are mere strategies to discourage those who genuinely want to do it,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Pharm. (Pastor) Gbolagade Iyiola, national assistant to the general secretary, ACPN, expressed his delight at being able to be of help to the commercial sex workers. He said, as far as he was concerned, he related with them like every other person. “This is my own constituency and these people are my people. Forget the fact that they are commercial sex workers today, who knows what they would become tomorrow?” he asked rhetorically.

Commenting on the exact justification for taking the programme to the brothel, Pharm. Iyiola said, “We are in the midst of these commercial sex workers because we know they are most at risk people, and we have successfully screened, counselled and advised them on the prevention methods that they need to adopt, to prevent themselves from getting infected with HIV virus, and we are very happy at the way they accepted and cooperated with us.”

He further added: “From what we have on ground now, about two hundred sex workers, including their managers and bar men, have been tested so far. But the amazing thing is that the news about the health education has really gotten to them very well, because the result here from the HIV screening is very encouraging. The HIV counselling and testing result is highly confidential, and no one is permitted to disclose the result to anyone else, aside from the person that owns the result. But from what we have here, less than five percent of the population is positive, and this shows that the effort to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is really working.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with Pharmanews, Pharm. Nwokoro Jerome, the zonal coordinator, ACPN, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government, who is also the vice president, Alpha Vision International, said the programme was packaged to serve as a means of corporate social responsibility to the Ajegunle community. He noted that the commercial sex workers were the most at risk of disease, due to the risky nature of their activities. And that they required education and awareness on the need to monitor and take care of themselves. He also added that the sex workers also needed empowerment, so that when they quit their present job, they could have a more productive work and life.

In his words, “We are doing this medical screening and counselling in collaboration with Lady Pharmacists, HU-PACE and Alpha Vision International, and our ultimate goal is to reach all the hotels in this community. Meanwhile, one unique thing about this hotel is that it is very popular, and it has the highest number of our target population, which are the commercial sex workers in the whole of Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area. So far, we have attended to about two hundred sex workers, and we understand that the hotel has over two hundred and fifty of them. In addition, the management of the hotel and the people of this community are also cooperative.”

While thanking the organisers, one of the commercial sex workers, Miss Lucy Bassey, who had been a commercial sex worker for about three years, said she was delighted that professional bodies like ACPN and ALPs could deem it fit to come to their brothel with such a laudable programme. She also expressed her relief at finally knowing her HIV status: “Before I went for the test, I had concluded that there was no way I could be HIV-free, but after the test, when I was told that it was negative, I couldn’t believe it. Although I have been advised to go back in three months’ time for a confirmation test, I am a hundred percent sure that it would also be negative,” she enthused.

She further added rather remorsefully, “The fact that I am HIV-free today is a clear indication that it is high time I stopped this illicit job that I am doing. I have been praying to God to set me free for the past three years, and I am trusting God that I won’t stay beyond this year 2013, in this place. I also want to advise other girls, who are in my shoes, not to allow the situation of the country to push them into this degrading job. In my three years in this place, I have seen a lot of things and I have decided that, if God could make me HIV-free, that I would go back to my hair dressing work, and I am not planning to renege on that promise.”

Also speaking, the duo of Juliet Nwokoro and Blessing Asuwata, who confessed they were new in the brothel, said it was peer pressure and harsh economic conditions that pushed them into prostitution. They thanked the organisers of the programme for giving them the opportunity to know about their health and the need for them to remain healthy.

Local pharmaceutical companies need government support -Pharm. Ezekwesili

Admin

18/09/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

In this interview with Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, Pharm. Obiora Ezekwesili, technical and manufacturing director of AfrabChem Nigeria poured out his heart on the scourge of malaria, perennial neglect suffered by indigenous pharmaceutical producers and why the government needs to invest heavily in the local manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

Read the excerpts below:

In view of the World Malaria Day, can you boldly say Nigeria is winning in its fight against the scourge?

Well, I think the campaign against malaria is partially successful in Nigeria. So much has been done in this area but, unfortunately, organisations keep changing. Most of the anti-malarial drugs you see around tend to lose potency seven years later and new ones are brought in to replace them. It is quite hard for you to see a drug that cuts across generations or that stays long enough.

It appears many still prefer Chloroquine to Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies (ACTs) despite the embargo placed on it. How do you react to this?

Embargo or not, I don’t see anything wrong with that. Besides, top pharmaceutical companies like AfrabChemstill produce Chloroquine drugs, to provide relief for babies and the demand is still growing. Those saying that it is no longer relevant don’t fully understand what they are saying. What works for somebody might not work for another. For instance, in most hospitals you visit today, Chloroquine is still effectively used, even though the doctors may not tell you this.

How wouldyoureact to complaints about the high cost of ACT drugs?

As a Nigerian, I am not in support of federal government-subsidized ACT. Why go all the way to India to make such arrangement? Why not invest here locally? It is a good thing that the price is shooting up now. This should make the government to start looking inward and conclude logistics to invest wisely in our manufacturing sector.

Are you saying Nigeria has the capacity to produce these drugs here cheaply?

Yes! In fact, I am insisting that the solution lies in the local industry. The government can even set up these facilities on their own, without contribution from private bodies. After all, if Ghana can boast of having one that was built by her government, why not Nigeria? Besides, it is bound to also throw up employment opportunity for the masses.

What is your view about pharmacists’ struggle against drug counterfeiting in the country?

To be frank, counterfeiting is a global problem, and not an issue for Nigerian local drug producers alone. That said, I bought this idea of Mobile Authentication Services (MAS). NAFDAC has instructed that every anti-malarial product should now carry a scratch panel for patients, and for those buying them to clarify the authenticity. From what I have seen so far, I think it is effective. You can fake things but you cannot fake that! Counterfeiting is a problem of discipline. There should be a proper way to do what you have to do.Follow NAFDAC guidelines and directives, use right distribution channels and rest assured that your products are safe.

Tell us a bit about the state of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Nigeria

Well, all I can say is that local manufacturers in Nigeria are still doing well. For instance, I visited a company in Denmark where about 10 Nigerian local pharmaceutical firms were nominated, as part of WHO pre-qualification plan. I was happy that about four of those companies were approved. Unfortunately, the support from government is just not there, unlike India, Pakistan and other countries, where their governments placed restriction on the number of drugs to be imported into those countries. As I said, our local industry is still growing but could have gone faster than the present state. Government should learn to encourage indigenous manufacturers in the areas of power, infrastructure, regulation, investment and technology transfer.

What is the role of PMG-MAN on this issue?

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) is, in fact, trying and constantly liaising with the government. I must commend the current executives of the association. They have been up-and-doing. But as I mentioned, the government is still expected to do more. Go and check the records, you will see that the biggest companies in the world are pharmaceutical companies. All I am saying is that local manufacturers need encouragement. Our government should back local pharma producers, financially and morally.

Biofem commissions new gastrointestinal solutions

Admin

18/09/2013

(By Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis)

Have you tried a number of gastrointestinal products and they have not met your need, then this information is for you.A leading pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, Biofem Pharmaceuticals Limited, has officially launched Rabefast along with other gastrointestinal products like Pylorest and Heliprobe into the Nigerian market.

The event, which took place at the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on July 10, 2013, had all the regional managers and directors of the company in attendance.

According to Femi Soremekun, chairman of BiofemPharma, the company’s approach is different because what it offers is total solution.

“Even if it is diabetes management, we have drugs to treat it, once it has been diagnosed. This will be subsequently followed up by our range of multivitamins. That is why I call it a total solution. However, what we are looking at today are gastrointestinal diseases,” he said.

Harping more on the product, Daniel Awolaja, Biofem’sassistant regionalmanager (East), described Rabefast, a low-priced, high quality brand of rabeprazole, as quite effective against diagnosed cases of ulcer.

He said that the drug is meant to complement other gastrointestinal solutions, such as Pylorest and Heliprobe, which are also produced by BiofemPharmaceuticals.

Corroborating his view, Pharm. DeoluDemehin, Biofem’s regional manager (West), explained that Heliprobe is a machine which was developed by a Swede, and is used in diagnosing the presence of helicobacter pylori.

“Somebody asked me earlier about the relationship between Rabefast and Heliprobe. It is simple! The presence of helicobacter, as we know can worsen things, when left undetected. It is this machine (Heliprobe) that diagnoses whether a patient has the bacteria.

“If it is positive, the treatment of Pylori is administered, where Rabefast is expected to complete the chain of total solution and wellness,” he remarked.

Interestingly, Deolu disclosed that there is an 80 percent chance that a patient with gastrointestinal problems will test positive to helicobacter pylori.

He noted that, unlike the conventional methods of endoscope, faecal antigen and antibody tests being deployed in some parts of the health sector, Heliprobe is a unique, inexpensive, non-evasive and urial-breath test.

Mega Lifesciences takes hepatitis campaign to hospitals

Admin

18/09/2013

(By TemitopeObayendo)

Mega Lifesciences Nigeria has taken its hepatitis awareness campaign to twenty hospitals across the nation while also screening patients in the hospitals for the disease. This was part of its activities to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day.

The campaign, which took place on July 26-27, 2013 provided ample awareness and screening for thousands of patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH); General Hospital, Lagos; General Hospital,Ikorodu; Ado Ekiti Teaching Hospital; General Hospital,Ijebu Ode; Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital;Dalhatu Arab Specialist Hospital, Lafia; University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. ManeeshMehra, managing director, Mega Lifesciences Nigeria Limited, said the company embarked on the initiative, as a means of performing its corporate social responsibility to benefit citizens of the country where it operates, as well as to improve their health status.

Commending the initiative, Mrs Caroline Dada, chief nursing officer (CNO), Gastro OPD, LASUTH, explained that hepatitis is a more deadly disease than HIV/AIDS, and it has no symptoms.

“Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, and we have various types, such as Hepatitis B, V, and A. Their causative organisms are different.The deadly virus that infects people is called Hepatitis V virus. The cause is unknown, and it is deadlier than HIV virus because HIV causes AIDS, while HPV causes hepatitis. It spreads through contaminated foods, water, blood transfusion from an infected person and other blood contacts with an infected person. Hepatitis B is more prevalent in African countries than the others.”

While urging members of the public to avail themselves of the general screening, the CNO counseled that it is better to prevent the disease than seek to cure it. She added that it would cost between half a million and a million naira to cure a patient of hepatitis B.

“Maintenance of a good hygienic system, coupled with a good lifestyle, is paramount in the prevention of hepatitis. Adults who are yet to be immunised against the disease should go for HPV immunisation, which will last for five years; while children from 0-2 years must take HPV 1, HPV2 and HPV 3; and adults who are yet to be immunised against the disease must take the HPV immunisation for five years. However, everybody should go for screening, to know his or her status, so that they can be treated accordingly,” she said.

Mr SSN Raju, marketing manager, Mega Lifesciences Ltd, and members of his team at the GH Lagos, screening patients of hepatitis

Also providing insight on the disease, Dr. Rufina Igetel, consultant hepatologist, LASUTH, in an exclusive interview, noted that over three hundred million people are infected with hepatitis B all over the world. Coming down to African countries and Nigeria in particular, she said although there are no specific data on Nigeria, an estimated12 percent of the Sub-Saharan region’s population is infected with hepatitis B virus.

“Based on the division according to the epidemiology, we have a very high prevalence in this part of the world, in the Sub-Saharan African, and South East Asia.Close to 12 percent of the population is infected with hepatitis B virus. We are very concerned about it because some of our patients are chronic carriers, or those who have been chronically infected with the virus. Many of them do not accept it, they may not be aware, and they are capable of transmitting it to other people,” she said.

On the mode of transmitting the disease, the hepatologist further explained, “We know the ways the virus is being transmitted, usually through the same route as HIV/AIDS, to simplify matters: people who are in the habit of sharing sharp objects, like common clippers at the barbers’, even in the house, family members who share sharp objects like razor blade, shaving sticks and, sometimes, tooth brushes among children.”

She said other means of transmitting the virus are through indiscriminate use of needles by quacks in pharmacies, traditional pedicure, thosewho go to the salon to fix weave-on, and so on. “Some of those salons still share needles among their clients;only few salons dispose their needles after usage. These subtle ways of spreading these diseases are very dangerous because the carriers may not have symptoms and they may not be aware of their status, and what you are ignorant of, you can’t do anything about.In the long run, what we are afraid of is the damage to the liver. It is possible for the liver to be damage through chronic inflammation, which is not treated in time. And when the liver is not able to cope anymore, then majority of the liver cells is damaged.”

While emphasising the importance of hepatitis awareness campaigns, she said, “Over the years, since we started the awareness campaign, due to some level of collaboration between us and some organisations, we have some corporate bodies that screen their employees before employing them;and we have had people who are asymptomatic; and they still benefit from monitoring and treatment, before its gets to the level where the liver is damaged.”

LawalOlanrewaju, a beneficiaryof theMega Lifesciences campaign and screening,who is also a record officer at the General Hospital Lagos, said the initiative was awelcome development.“The screening is very good because it will enable people to know their status, and if one is positive, he will know how to go about it. I want to thank the company organising this free screening because, as at last year, the screening costs two thousand naira in the laboratory, and I guess the price will be higher than that now.”

Also expressing her appreciation, another beneficiary, Serifat Olaojo, who tested negative to the screening, said the organisers of the screening were doing a great job. She urged the company to organize more screening exercises for other types of illnesses.

Winning the fight against hepatitis

Admin

16/09/2013

(Editorial)

On July 28 of this year, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Hepatitis Day. The day was established in 2010 by the World Health Assembly to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis, as well as the disease it causes.

The theme of the 2013 World Hepatitis Day, “This is hepatitis.Know it. Confront it,” is a continuation of previous campaigns. Its objectiveis to reiterate the fact that hepatitis remains a serious health challenge that most people are ignorant of.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver, whichcould eventually lead to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. “These viruses constitute a major global health risk, with around 240 million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C,” says WHO.

The goal of the World Hepatitis Day–“Movingfrom awareness to commitment and taking action to address the “silent killer’ of viral hepatitis” – is designed to help focus on specific actions, such as: strengtheningprevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases; increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration of the vaccine into national immunisationprogrammes; as well as coordinating a global response to hepatitis.

The WHO lamented that although the burden of diseases related to hepatitis infection is very high, in most countries, the problem has not been addressed in a comprehensive way for many reasons. These reasons, the global health body says, include the fact that most people do not develop any symptoms when they become infected and they remain so for decades, until they develop chronic liver disease.

The WHO also bemoaned the fact that viral hepatitis also places a heavy burden on the health care system because of the high costs of treatment of liver cancer and liver failure from cirrhosis.

It is our expectation that stakeholders in health care would see the World Hepatitis Day 2013 as an opportunity to take serious action on this health challenge, especially hepatitis B, which is said to be deadlier than HIV/AIDS.

Hepatitis B, according to experts, can be prevented with vaccination.Thus it is imperative to focus on ensuring that more Nigerians are vaccinated against the infection.

It is good to note that hepatitis B is already included in the vaccination programmefor children in the country. It must, however, be pointed out that, though there is a vaccine to protect against hepatitis B, there is none yet for hepatitis C. Consequently, it is important for the government and other stakeholders in the health care sector to focus on enlightenment and education of Nigerians on how to prevent this deadly infection.

Nigerians should be educated that taking precautionary measures, such as ensuring adequate human waste disposal, and avoiding the consumption/ingestion of contaminated food and water, can go a long way in protecting them from the disease.

We also call on the Federal Government to seriously consider adopting the World Health Assembly resolution that mandates a comprehensive approach to prevention and control of viral hepatitis.This is because there are quite a number of strategies that can be adopted for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis in different settings.

For instance, it is necessary to ensure there is a provision for health workers in the country to be immunised against hepatitis B, because they are a potential source of risk to the patients they are treating. Right now, despite the fact that they are occupationally exposed to the infection, there is no provision for them to be immunised in any immunisationprogramme.

Hepatitis is a serious public health challenge that is not getting the appropriate attention it deserves. The Nigerian government must, as a matter of urgency, find the political will to confront this global killer that the World Hepatitis Alliance says has continued to be undiagnosed, untreated and too often ignored.

Experts reveal strategies to combat stroke

Admin

16/09/2013

(By Temitope Obayendo)

Experts from the Stroke Action team in the UK and Nigeria have described stroke as a critical health condition that be easily avoided by adopting a lifestyle that promotes good health and longevity of life.

The experts, who converged at the stroke awareness seminar organised by the Men’s Fellowship (Heart of David) of Rose of Sharon Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ikeja, said stroke is a major problem in Nigeria because about 700,000 people suffer from it annually.

Fielding questions from journalists at the event, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, consultant neurosurgeon, Stroke Action UK, said the essence of the seminar was to enlighten people on the meaning, prevention and risk factors of stroke, as well as steps to take, if somebody has the ailment.

“Stroke is not caused by evil spirits nor by your enemies. It is caused by lack of blood supply to the brain. It is the same thing as heart attack, where there is no blood supply to the heart. The main risk factor of stroke is hypertension, known as high blood pressure. Other risk factors include: diabetes, sickle cell disease, obesity, etc. Thus, stroke occurs as a failure of the individual person doing the right things to prevent it,” he said.

On the necessary steps to prevent the condition, Dr. Ogungbo noted that it is important for the obese to lose weight and avoid smoking, while the hypertensive must always check their blood pressure, as hypertension requires constant monitoring and management.

In addition, he said: “If you are diabetic, control your blood sugar level, and if you have a heart disease as well, you need to take drugs, as prescribed by your health care givers.”

Head of the team and founder of Stroke Action, UK, Mrs Rita Melifonwu, explained another interesting aspect of the seminar, which was to educate the participants on how to ascertain the possibility of stroke when they see someone slump or faint suddenly. Introducing the “FAST” test, she said there are four things to watch out for in such circumstances – the face, the arm, the speech, and the time.

“When you see someone that faints on the road, you can test him to know if he has stroke. It’s about looking at the person’s face, to know whether there is any shift in his mouth when he speaks; to see whether there is any change in his arm stretch; to see if there is any change in the way the person acts. If that is the case, then we can take the person to the hospital. It’s called the fast test. You look at the face, the arm stretch, speech and the ‘t’ stands for time, to act immediately. The test was developed in the UK,” she narrated.

She further explained that, if someone has a stroke, he can still lead a normal life, as long as the FAST test is quickly applied. She stressed that, while the individual may not be exactly the way he used to be – because stroke patients can sometimes have shortness of memory and weakness on their arms or legs – he can still go back to work, or become a dad or mum again.

Adding his own view, presiding pastor of the parish, Pastor Emeka Obiagbo, emphasised the need for individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as that would go a long way in preventing incidence of stroke.

He said, “Although the medical personnel are here, these things have to do with lifestyle. We need to watch what we eat, activities, and so on. If people are aware of these, they will begin to take precautions. Experiences have shown in this clime that some suffer, because they never monitored their health.”

He therefore advised that people go for regular check up, saying gone are the days of relying on self-medication, while dying in silence.

Foods that prevent heart disease

Admin

16/09/2013

(By Dr. Paul Nanna)

The heart starts beating at about the eighth week of pregnancy, and continues to do so throughout an individual’s life. The heart cannot afford to fail in its function of pumping blood to the whole body. In performing this function, the heart also ensures that adequate blood is pumped into itself.

The arteries that pump blood to the heart are known as the coronary arteries. Blockage or narrowing of these vessels can lead to what is known as coronary heart disease. As this narrowing increases, a left-sided chest pain, known as angina, will set in, due to a reduction in blood, oxygen and nutrient supply to the heart.

Total blockage of a coronary artery that supplies a section of the heart causes death of that portion of the heart, giving rise to what is known as heart attack. The commonest cause of narrowing of the coronary artery is artherosclerosis. Artherosclerosis is the buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits, known as plaques, on the inner wall of the artery.

Risk factors

There are certain risk factors associated with coronary heart disease and they include: dehydration, family history, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, hyperlipidemia and obesity.

More than a risk factor, long-standing dehydration can be considered a cause of artherosclerosis. In my article on the management of hypertension, I explained how dehydration causes the brain to send signals to the liver to begin to produce more cholesterol, which come into use when the body goes into a rationing mode as a result of dehydration.

In a state of dehydration, water is redistributed from the muscles, bones and joints to the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys – the five vital organs in the body. Cholesterol will have to be deposited between the cells in the walls of the capillaries, to take over the usual adhesive function of water between the cells. Cholesterol, being impermeable to water, drastically reduces the passage of water out of the blood in the capillaries into the muscles. These cholesterol deposits initially found between the cells will eventually begin to grow into the lumen of the capillaries, where they join together to form plaques. At this time also, the blood level of cholesterol is very high and such hypercholesterolemia can easily be managed by increasing one’s daily consumption of water and sustaining it there.

Principles of prevention

There are fundamental principles to observe in preventing coronary heart disease.

The first principle is to drink sufficient water on a daily basis. I will not belabour this principle because I believe that a lot of the readers of this column now practise it.

Next is exercise. The heart benefits a lot through regular exercise. Through exercise, the heart becomes strengthened and the resting pressure at which the heart pumps blood is reduced, translating into a lower blood pressure. Moreover, cholesterol and blood sugar levels are reduced, thus preventing heart disease. Exercise also helps to create new capillaries for supply of blood and opens up blocked ones. This will further cause a reduction of the blood pressure and eliminate the risk of heart disease.

Added to the above is diet. What you eat plays a very significant role in ensuring the good health of the heart. To begin with, whatever you eat must not be excessive. Do not overeat. You will have to eat more of some food, reduce some and avoid others entirely, to keep your heart healthy throughout your life. To keep your heart healthy, you have to eat more of the low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods like fresh, raw vegetables and fruits. They are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, fibre and substances that directly prevent heart disease. Whole grains, like whole wheat and oats, brown rice, barley and ground flaxseed, are also high in fibre, minerals and vitamins.

Also recommended to keep the heart healthy are low-fat proteins found in foods like skimmed milk, low-fat yoghurt, egg white and cold water fish, such as tuna and salmon. Others are skinless poultry, legumes (kidney and black beans, lentils, soybeans), tofu and lean meat.

Still on diet, to ensure that the heart is healthy, high-calorie, high-sodium foods like fast foods, processed and refined foods should be avoided. These include white flour products, such as white bread and cakes, pastries, pasta etc; white sugar, table salt and white rice. Others are unhealthy fats like saturated, hydrogenated and trans fats, such as is in margarine, butter, shortening etc.

Finally, as part of the principles of preventing coronary heart disease, you need to take different varieties of the food that you are allowed to take. These may include things that you have not been used to eating. Doing this ensures that your heart gets all that it needs to stay healthy from different sources and also makes eating less boring for you.

PSN president advocates enforcement of fake drug laws

Admin

16/09/2013

(By Adebayo Oladejo)

President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, has disclosed that enforcement of existing fake drug laws is the key to curbing drug counterfeiting in the country.

Akintayo said this in an exclusive interview with Pharmanews in Calabar, Cross River State, shortly after the opening ceremony of the 32^nd Annual National Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), tagged “Land of Paradise 2013.”

He explained that, while he sees nothing wrong with advocating stiffer penalties for drug fakers, the existing penalties,which were provided within the purview of the Act of Parliament, if properly enforced, should be enough to stem the tide of fake drugs in the country.

According to him, it would be highly impossible to curb drug counterfeiting in Nigeria with the present operating environment. “I am saying this with all sense of responsibility that the war against fake drugs in Nigeria may not be easily won, because I recollect that, as far back as 1995, the pioneer director general of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Gabriel Osuide, a fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, had declared at the National Council on Health meeting that the bedrock of fake drug distribution in Nigeria was open markets, and that was about eighteen years ago. Meanwhile, between that time and now, what has happened is that the number of open drug markets has increased, while their network has widened and expanded.”

He therefore called on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to take the problem of production and distribution of fake drugs more seriously. “The appropriate regulatory agencies like the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Task Force, States Task Forces, and others need to be properly funded. They should also be given better security cover, so that their mandate can actually be achieved, and so that it would not appear as if they are sending people out to combat criminals, without providing the requisite logistics for them.”

Continuing he said, “I have always said that there is a security dimension to the problem of fake drugs in this country, and the earlier we realise it the better for us as a nation. God forbid it happens, an enemy of this country does not need to go to war using arms against us; all they need to do is to lace one of our fast selling products with poison. Within days, we would record substantial fatalities because in this part of the world, we do not have recall mechanism; once a drug enters into our market, it would be impossible to recall the product because of our chaotic drug distribution system.”

Asked how well has he been coping with the leadership challenge that comes with the headship of PSN, Akintayo disclosed that it has been a tough challenge, which fortunately, he had been prepared for. “I was not expecting a tea party as the president, so I had prepared myself and I had been well-groomed and prepared in the tradition of organised pharmacists, as epitomised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). I have learnt to take things easy. I have learnt to be a little more patient and always welcome new ideas, fresh ideas, and I have learnt of course to pray a lot more and I don’t harbour doubts. I have no doubt that these challenges in the pharmacy practice are meant for us to overcome and that, by the grace of God, that I will leave pharmacy a lot better than I met it.”

Speaking on the efforts of all the technical arms of PSN towards the fight against fake medicine, Akintayo said it was too early to start assessing them. He however urged them not to be discouraged by the current challenges facing pharmacy practice in the country, adding that there would be improvements as soon as all stakeholders resolve to work towards them. “Pharmacy will work again; it will work in our generation and in our lifetime.What we only need to do is to begin to perfect the mission of how the practice would rise again in our micro environment. So, the professional body, community development associations and others should begin to work towards the betterment of their immediate environments and this would gradually have an impact on the larger society. Although this change would not come in a jiffy, and it would not come like magic, it requires hard work, courage and determination from all of us,” he said.

On the role of the government in dealing with the menace of drug counterfeiting, Pharm. Akintayo disclosed: “Government, on its own part, is certainly not doing enough, in this regard. They set up vital and sensitive regulatory agencies, but they are not funding them, and these agencies would not work effectively without proper funding. As I am talking to you now, I am made to understand that NAFDAC personnel are no longer at the port of entry, and if that is the case, it means it is only whateverthe customsagency wants us to see that we get to see. Meanwhile, we should not forget that a lot of fake drugs are disguised at the port of entry, so a man who is bringing in a consignment of fake drugs could declare that he is bringing in shoes and bags, and if the customs agency allows him, we are in for it. So, government should not play politics with all these sensitive agencies because of their sensitive responsibilities to the society.”

Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, president, PSN

Ghana pharmacists lose case against commission

Admin

06/09/2013

An Accra High Court, presided over by Justice AjetNassam, has dismissed the National Labour Commission’s suit against Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to enforce its directive against the Commission for the payment of conversion difference to the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ghana (GHOSPA).

In his ruling, Justice AjetNassam stated that the FWSC had shown, by the pay slips of pharmacists exhibited in court, that it had complied with the directive to pay pharmacists who were duly entitled to the conversion difference and that the evidence was neither rebutted by the National Labour Commission or GHOSPA.

He chided the pharmacists for not fulfilling their promise at the last sitting of the court, which was to bring a letter indicating that they had called off their strike action.

He, therefore, ordered the pharmacists to resume work forthwith. He stated that strike actions by essential services were improper and in breach of the Labour Act.

It will be recalled that the NLC dragged the FWSC to court, to enforce their directive to compel FWSC to pay conversion difference to all pharmacists.

The ruling effectively established the fact that not all pharmacists are entitled to the payment of conversion difference under the Single Spine Salary Structure.

Persistence: key to success!

Admin

06/09/2013

Do you want to accomplish something in life? Be like the stonecutter. Jacob Riis says, “Look at the stone cutter hammering away at the rock, perhaps a 100 times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet, at the 101st blow, it will split in two and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” Whatever you want to accomplish in life will require persistence. Champion race car driver Rick Mears says, ”To finish first, you must first finish.”

All things come to those who persistently go after them. Perseverance is the result of a strong will. Stubbornness is the result of a strong won’t. Montesquieu said, “Success often depends on knowing how long it will take to succeed.” The secret of success is: never let down and never let up. Consider what Proverbs says: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings.”

Many times, success consists of hanging on one minute longer. Calvin Coolidge said, “‘Press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” You will find that persistent people always have this attitude: they never lose the game, they just run out of time. Compte de Buffon says, “Hold on; hold fast, hold out. Patience is genius.”

Joel Hause said, “You may be whatever you resolve to be. Determine to be something in the world and you will be something. ‘I cannot’ never accomplished anything, ‘I will try’ haswrought wonders.” Herbert Caufman adds, “Spurts don’t count. The final score makes no mention of a splendid start,ifthe finish proves that you were ‘an also ran’.”

Keep in mind the words of Hamilton Holt: “Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Half effort does not produce half results. It produces no results. Work, continuous work and hard work, is the only way to accomplish results that last.” No one finds life worth living. You must make it worth living.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.” I agree with Charles Kettering when he said: “Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something perhaps when you are least expecting it.” Be like the bulldog: “The nose of the bulldog is slanted backwards, so he can continue to breathe without letting go” (Winston Churchill).

Persistence prevails when all else fails. The truth is that persistence is a bitter plant, but it has sweet fruit. Joseph Ross said, “It takes time to succeed because success is merely the natural reward of taking time to do anything well.” Persistence is the quality that is most needed when it is exhausted. Victory always comes to the most persevering.

Culled from Know Your Limits – Then Ignore Them by John Mason

Do you know that Nigeria bears 2nd largest HIV burden globally – NACA?

Admin

05/09/2013

– 3.4m Nigerians living with HIV (by Gracia Obi)

Has it occurred to you that Nigeria bears the second highest HIV burden in the world? The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Professor John Idoko, recently made the disclosure, stating that 3.4 million Nigerians are now living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), making the country the second largest HIV burden globally.

Professor Idoko stated that, while the national prevalence stabilised around four percent, 13 states still carry a higher burden target in several important indicators.

The NACA DG made the startling disclosures at a Senate public hearing ona“Bill for an Act to make provision for the prevention of HIV discrimination and to protect the human rights and dignity of people living with HIV and affected by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other related matters,” in Abuja.

According to findings, Benue still tops the states with the highest HIV prevalence rate, followed by AkwaIbom, Bayelsa, Anambra, Nasarawa and FCT.

Idoko explained that one out of every three people in need is currently receiving treatment and added that only 18 percent of HIV positive women receive prophylaxis against mother to-childtransmission.

He lamented that only 18 percent of the population have ever been tested, while more than 40 per cent of HIV positive persons do not know their status.

He further said that when passed, the bill would strengthen legal protection for vulnerable groups and ensure their greater access to prevention, treatment and care services.

Meanwhile, the senate president, Senator David Mark, in his opening remarks at the public hearing, called for an end to stigmatisation and discrimination against HIV infected persons in the country.

Mark, who was represented by the deputy senate leader, Abdul Ningi, said people should be educated to know that HIV is like any other disease, which could be contracted unknowingly. “It is important for all to be educated to know that HIV is just like any other disease. Once it is discovered, all a sufferer needs to do is to access treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

He lamented that many HIV positive people are now afraid to carry out tests or access necessary treatment, as a result of negative societal attitudes. According to him, “Infected people are hiding under common diseases like diabetes because of discrimination. They will not tell you that they are HIV positive, for fear of being discriminated against in their workplaces, family and religious organisations.”

Stressing the collective effort required to curb the spread of the disease and the stigma often associated with it, the senate president further said, “When we lose lives because of HIV infection, it means we are irresponsible. Infected people are just as important as other members of the society.That somebody is infected does not mean he is not a good or morally upright person, or that he should be denied employment or barred from his social networks.HIV is a disease that can be contracted both intentionally and accidentally.”

80 million Nigerians to get Free HIV test – President Jonathan

Admin

05/09/2013

Do you know that the Federal Government, under the President’s Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP), has announced plans to provide free HIV testing for 80 million Nigerians, aged 15 and above?

President Goodluck Jonathan made this announcement at the AIDS Watch Africa Champions breakfast meeting held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

According to the president, other aims of the PCRP are the enrolment of an additional 600,000 eligible adults and children into Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and the provision of ART for 244,000 HIV-positive pregnant women. He further added that the plan was also intended to provide access to combination prevention services for 500,000 Most-at-Risk-Populations (MARPS) and four million young persons, as well as activation of 2,000 new Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT), in addition to 2,000 ART service delivery points across the country.

The president explained that the plan became necessary after looking at the previous performance of countries in matters relating to HIV/AIDS, noting their shortcomings and deciding what was needed to successfully execute the programme.

“What is even more important is our political will to continue to make a difference in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS and to prevent the spread of the scourge,” the President said, adding that “the response to the HIV/AIDS scourge must be designed to enhance human dignity and to protect its victims’ inalienable rights under the rule of law.”

He observed that, despite the proliferation of HIV in Nigeria, significant achievements had been made, although there were still gaps in overall access to HIV/AIDS services.

The African Union (AU) Summit on HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria, known as Abuja 12, endorsed the use of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), an insecticide banned worldwide for several years, as one of the steps to bring malaria under control on the African continent.

Nigeria’s minister of health, Prof. Chukwu, informed the gathering that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had approved the use DDT for indoor purposes in areas where mosquitoes are sensitive to it, but not for agricultural use, as it could harm the environment. He said South Africa, Namibia and Eritrea, among other countries, were already using it.

His South African counterpart blamed the West for being hypocritical, saying when they had need to use something, the thing was deemed good but when it came to Africa, they painted it black. He said: “If we stop using DDT, we are exposing our citizens to death.”

There is a high rate of resistance to most insecticides by mosquitoes, necessitating the call for the reintroduction of DDT. “For malaria, Africa remains the continent most heavily affected, with severe effects on maternal and child health,” Dr. Nkosazana C. DlaminiZuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said.

“Even though malaria is cheaply preventable and curable in Africa, it continues to kill, on the average, a child every 30 seconds! And this is totally unacceptable!

“One of the greatest challenges we need to address is the dependency of many national responses to AIDS, TB and malaria on external financing and foreign-produced medicines.

In the case of HIV, for example, over 60 per cent of continental investment is mobilised externally, over 80 per cent of treatment is imported.

“We therefore need to accelerate the implementation of the earlier ‘Abuja Commitments’, stepping up the mobilisation of domestic resources and strategies for innovative financing to strengthen the health systems,” he said.

The African leaders agreed to create greater access to health, which should include community access to nutrition, information and systems to promote good health, in addition to comprehensive and affordable basic health services.

They also noted that nutrition was of paramount importance because malnutrition, as is the case with many other diseases, would impair the immune system of the victim, thereby exacerbating the health condition.

They further stressed the importance of research towards eliminating HIV/AIDS infections and sexually transmitted infections.

Record Breaking: Malaria deaths drop by 33.4 per cent in Africa-WHO

Admin

05/09/2013

(By Gracia Obi)

It will interest anyone to know that malaria deaths in Africa have gone down by one-third, since the year 2000, when African leaders met in Abuja and agreed to decisively reduce the incidence of malaria attacks and deaths across the continent.

This was announced by the executive director of the “Rollback Malaria” Programme of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. FatoumataNafo-Traore, at the recent Special Summit of the African Union (AU) on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Abuja.

The announcement came as the United Nations unfolded a new strategy to stop new HIV infections, saying about $2.4 billion would be required to attain coverage and treatment by 2015.

On malaria reduction, Nafo-Traore said more than a million lives have been saved from malaria since year 2000, most of them among African children under five years of age.

At the conference tagged“Abuja+12 Special Summit,”she revealed that 44 African nations had recorded over 50 percent reductions in malaria cases, over the past decade.

“Few other public health initiatives can boast such a significant achievement,” Nafo-Traore stated. “But we cannot rest on our laurels. African countries continue to face many challenges, both financial and technical. To make rapid programmes towards the 2015 malaria target, we need to hit our enemy hard in its strongholds in sub-Sahara African, while keeping up the fight elsewhere on the continent.”

She also affirmed that, with Africa in the driver’s seat and a massive increase in financial and technical support, progress over the past years has been outstanding.

According to her, the Rollback Malaria partners will keep doing all they can to support the African nations at every step of the way.

“The presentations you will hear today will provide guidance that we hope will strengthen your national malaria control efforts. You will also hear an important technical update on larval source management, an issue which has been of great interest to many among you,” she told stakeholders from around Africa and the world.

She went on: “I know that malaria control is one issue among many that are begging your attention. But addressing it now is a way to achieving important health and development targets. Malaria control in Africa has revealed itself to be a quick-win strategy for reaching multiple MDGs related to improving maternal and child health and driving poverty. Each dollar invested in malaria control yields forty dollars to the economy. No other social investment gives a better rate of return.”

Meanwhile, a new strategy aimed at achieving zero new infections of HIV, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths was unfolded in a report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

As an important step towards achieving zero AIDS-related deaths, the organisation said countries should be encouraged to prioritise immediate efforts to ensure that all people eligible for HIV treatment have access to it.

The report stated that, to reach the targeted 80 percent coverage by 2015, using the new 2013 WHO treatment guidelines and criteria, the world would require additional $2.2-2.4 billion,asidefrom the treatment costs estimated in the 2010 guidelines.

“This expenditure will be money well-spent, as previous analyses have demonstrated that treatment is both cost-effective and potentially cost-saving over time,” the report stated.

It added that Treatment 2015 offers countries and partners both practical and innovative ways of increasing the number of people accessing treatment, which will allow people to live longer and healthier lives and prevent new infections.

Speaking on the benefits of rapidly scaling up antiretroviral therapy, the organisation says scaling up antiretroviral therapy preserves and strengthens the health and wellbeing of the adolescents and working age adults.

Rethinking health care in Nigeria (R&D)

Admin

04/09/2013

(Pharm Nelson Okwonna)

A good examination of the Hippocratic Oath will reveal the depth of understanding from which the health care professions have developed. It shows theintentionality of the practitioners, their communal spirit and the wholesome mind with which they approached the sacred art, our sacred art.

It is in the light of the above and with particular emphasis on the individuality of this oath that we would consider if we have done the best for our patients in these modern times.

Have We Done No Harm?

In the management of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases, can it really be said that we have done no harm to our patients? This discourse will raise mostly questions and may not succeed at presenting a particular set of answers.

At the just concluded Pharmanews workshop on “Alternative Medicine Management Approachesfor Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases”, these questions and many more came to bear. Have chemotherapy and radiotherapy really brought sustainable good to our cancer patients? Can we satisfactorily walk away, convinced that we have done the best for them? Have we factored all the causes that could predispose our patients to ill-health in the management of diseases? Is our approach more disease-focused than health-focused? Do the answers to these questions matter?

Let us take hypertension, for example. 95 percent of the cases are idiopathic – of no known cause. Have we focused on addressing this position of disadvantage, as much as we have focused on bringing the pressure down, by every means possible?

The story was told of a man who went fishing. As he got to the riverside, he found another fisherman who was doing something quite intriguing – he was throwing back the big fishes into the water and keeping the small ones. Puzzled, the man had to entreatthe fisherman to explain his action. The fisherman smiled and explained that he had an 8-inchfrying pan, and therefore couldn’t keep the big fishes.

Our 8-inch frying pan

In 2006, T. Colin Campbell released a book titled “The China Study”. The book was based on a huge epidemiologic study of diet and health done in China. The book’s major thesis is that we could prevent or cure most diseases (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, bone, kidney, eye and other diseases) by eating a whole-food plant-based diet, drastically reducing our protein intake, and avoiding meat and dairy products entirely.The project was done in collaboration with Oxford University, and did give very important support for plant-based foods.

Not everyone agrees with Colin Campbell and this article is not to take a position on the matter.However, the aim is to demonstrate a factual position that what we eat really does matter. In his book, “The Outliers”, Malcolm Gladwell began by telling us a story of an immigrant community in the United States of America, which seemed not to ever have certain cardiovascular incidents. The medical state of this community baffled medical experts who couldnot find a single explanation for its uniqueness.After much fuss, someone arrived at an obvious answer – the community itself was the reason. The communal life, faith and manner of the members of the community accounted for their health status.

Today, we know that we do not have the best of diets or environmentsin Nigeria (two factors that play critical roles in determining our health status); hence, the increase in chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes is not particularly surprising. A recent report by the Business Monitor International stated that the growing incidence of chronic diseases and the purchasing power of middle class Nigerians would account for the projected increase in the pharmaceutical business in Nigeria. The point to note from the report is that the bad news of increasing chronic disease rates is relatively predictable and the aim of this article is to ask if we arenot seeking for solutions with an 8-inch frying pan.

What works?

In his opening remarks at the Pharmanews workshop earlier mentioned, the lead resource person, Dr Ladeinde, began by saying that he was not an advocate of traditional, alternative or orthodox medicine but rather of what works. I quite agree; it is our personal responsibility, as enshrined in the Hippocratic Oath, to find what works best for our patients and not necessarily what makes the most money. As it stands today, a hypertensive patient or a diabetic patient is more of an economic index for revenue generation than a problem that must be addressed. I seek not to trivialise an important issue or desecrate the hallowed altars of our noble practice but to rather ask deep, probing and perhaps disturbing questions – is our current approach working well enough? Can it meet our needs in the next ten years?

One recurring theme that undergirded the message by Dr Ladeinde is that, to help the patient, we must find ways to increase the ability of his body to fight disease; we must channel all our resources in aiding the most exquisite and resilient force on earth – nature. It is true that humans do not die; they kill themselves.What works is that which gives the human body increased ability to heal itself. To find it, in many cases, we may have to first change our frying pans.

Success through positive thinking

Admin

04/09/2013

Albert Einstein once observed that “the problems we face today cannot be solved on the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”

Look around and you’ll see that is true. The world keeps getting more and more complicated. Does that discourage you? It doesn’t have to. Many years ago, I came across a quote that made a tremendous impression on me. It said:

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half of the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed-you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great men; and alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a man. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin-it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I? I am habit!

The good news is that, no matter how complicated life gets or how difficult problems may seem, good thinking can make a difference – if you make it a consistent part of your life. The more you engage in good thinking, the more good thoughts will come to you. Success comes to those who habitually do things that unsuccessful people don’t do. Achievement comes from the habit of good thinking. The more you engage in good thinking, the more good thoughts you will continue to think. It’s like creating a never-ending army of ideas capable of achieving almost anything. As playwright, Victor Hugo, asserted, “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an invasion of ideas.”

Every year, I talk to tens of thousands of people on the subjects of leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. I’ve found that many of them believe good thinking is so complicated that it lies beyond their reach. But in truth, it’s really a very simple process. Every person has the potential to become a good thinker. I’ve observed that…

• Unsuccessful people focus their thinking on survival

• Average people focus their thinking on maintenance

• Successful people focus their thinking on progress

A change of thinking can help you move from survival or maintenance to real progress. Ninety-five percent of achieving anything is knowing what you want and paying the price to get it.

Portrait of a good thinker

So, how do you pay the price to become a good thinker? For that matter, what does a good thinker look like? You often hear someone say that a colleague or friend is a “good thinker,” but that phrase means something different to everyone. To one person, it may mean having a high IQ, while to another it could mean knowing a bunch of trivia or being able to figure out whodunit, when reading a mystery novel. I believe that good thinking isn’t just one thing. It consists of several specific thinking skills. Becoming a good thinker means developing those skills to the best of your ability.

In Built to Last, Jim Collins and Jerry Porras describe what it means to be a visionary company, the kind of company that epitomises the pinnacle of American business. They describe those companies this way:

A visionary company is like a great work of art. Think of Michelangelo’s scenes from Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or his statue of David. Think of a great and enduring novel like Huckleberry Finn or Crime and Punishment. Think of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony or Shakespeare’s Henry V. Think of a beautifully designed building, like the masterpieces of Frank Lloyd Wright or Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. You can’t point to anyone single item that makes the whole thing work; it’s the entire work-all the pieces working together to create an overall effect-that leads to enduring greatness.

Good thinking is similar. You need all the thinking “pieces” to become the kind of person who can achieve great things. Those pieces include the following eleven skills:

• Seeing the wisdom of big-picture thinking

• Unleashing the potential of focused thinking

• Discovering the joy of creative thinking

• Recognising the importance of realistic thinking

• Releasing the power of strategic thinking

• Feeling the energy of possibility thinking

• Embracing the lessons of reflective thinking

• Questioning the acceptance of popular thinking

• Encouraging the participation of shared thinking

• Experiencing the satisfaction of unselfish thinking

• Enjoying the return of bottom-line thinking

As you become acquainted with each skill, you will find that some you do well, others you don’t. Learn to develop each of those kinds of thinking, and you will become a better thinker. Master all that you can – includingthe process of shared thinking, which helps you compensate for your weak areas – andyour life will change.

Culled from Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell

Twenty six Nigerian women die daily from cervical cancer –Report

Admin

30/08/2013

(By Gracia Obi)

A new report by the Cervical Cancer Free Coalition entitled, “Crisis Card,” has estimated that about 26 Nigerian women die of cervical cancer daily.

Also, the Crisis Card stated that India had the highest number of women dying of cervical cancer in the world, while Australia, with one of the highest HPV vaccination rates, recorded the least cases.

Countries with the worst indices on the list include India, Brazil, Bangladesh and Nigeria.The report stated that these four countries accounted for 50 per cent of the total number of cervical cancer deaths in the world.

The Crisis Card ranks over 50 countries across the world based on the number of deaths from cervical cancer and the mortality rate from this preventable disease.It also stated that cervical cancer kills an estimated 275,000 women every year and 500,000 new cases were reported worldwide.According to the report, this preventable disease is the second largest cancer killer of women in low and middle-income countries.

The Executive Director of CCFC, Dr. Jennifer Smith, said though cervical cancer is a vaccine preventable disease, it was still killing women in many countries in Africa and Asia.She said, “Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer, yet we are still seeing so many deaths around the world. We are working towards building networks across the globe, to help support our common goal of a world free of cervical cancer. Together, we can dramatically reduce this disease through vaccination, screening and education.”

Speaking on the need to fight this disease in Nigeria, experts say many women are diagnosed with the disease every year in the country, and call for a renewed commitment from the government toward eradicating the disease.

According to the Crisis Card, “Twenty-six Nigerian women lose their lives, due to cervical cancer, every day and a further 14,000 women are diagnosed each year with this disease. Cervical cancer can be almost entirely prevented through the use of vaccines that are being used around the world.

“Early screening methods and prompt treatment are also critical interventions that can save women’s lives. What is required of us all is a renewed commitment to saving the lives of our women and preventing a preventable death.”

The chief executive officer of GAVI Alliance, Seth Berkley, said the organisation would be securing HPV vaccines for some African countries at a reduced or subsidised rate.

Berkley said, “2013 is the beginning of a dramatic shift in women’s health. A new low price for the HPV vaccine has been negotiated by GAVI for countries eligible for support, opening the door for millions of girls in the world’s poorest countries to be protected against one of the leading cancer killers of women. Ghana will be one of the first African countries to receive HPV vaccines this year with GAVI support.”

Chemotherapy may not offer full recovery from cancer – Experts

Admin

28/08/2013

(Temitope Obayendo)

A recent study has shown that people receiving treatment for serious cancers may harbour false hopes for a full recovery.

Scientists from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found that about 81 per cent of people with advanced colorectal cancer, and 69 per cent of people with advanced lung cancer, believe chemotherapy treatment can cure them.

But after surveying more than 1,200 people with end-stage cancer, study authors found only a small number of people who did not subscribe to the myth of chemotherapy as a cure-all.

The study revealed that chemotherapy can give a person with advanced cancer a few more weeks or months of life and may offer them some pain relief. But the likelihood of long-term survival – let alone a cure-in the later stages of these diseases – is exceedingly rare. According to figures from the American Cancer Society, only about six per cent of people with late-stage colon or rectal cancer live for at least five more years. For lung cancer, that number is about four per cent.

According to experts, chemotherapy is not always ineffective – it can be an extremely helpful treatment. When a person’s cancer is caught in the earlier stages, chemotherapy often succeeds in sending the disease into remission.

Optimism can be a valuable tool for coping with a difficult diagnosis, but misplaced faith in the power of medical intervention may prevent people from choosing the treatment path that is best for them.

Chemotherapy is just one of several different types of cancer treatment. Other options include: surgery to remove malignant organs and tissues, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hyperthermia and alternative therapies. Those with terminal cancer may also decide to forgo additional treatment for their condition, and elect to only receive palliative or hospice care.

In an editorial accompanying the Dana Farber study, Thomas Smith, professor of Oncology and director of Palliative Medicine at Johns Hopkins, expressed concern that doctors often shy away from discussions about end-of-life planning and palliative care because doing so could steal a patient’s hope.

“What they don’t realise is that hope is impossible to extinguish,” he says. Smith feels that, no matter what the prognosis is, “Palliative care discussions can help patients focus on better quality of life.”

LSBTS urges Lagosians to cultivate voluntary blood donating habit

Admin

28/08/2013

(By Temitope Obayendo)

As the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services, LSBTS, takes its state-wide blood donor drive to the Agege area of the state, Lagosians have been urged to imbibe the culture of voluntary blood donation and shun any form of financial reward.

Making the call during a blood donor drive exercise by LBSTS in collaboration with Women Development Centre (WDC) recently in Lagos, assistant director of the Centre, Mr. Deji Adelugba, decried the attitude of Lagosians towards blood donation.

According to Adelugba, voluntary blood donation should be seen as a major way of saving lives and not for financial gain. “If you look at the situation generally, you will find that getting matching blood for accident victims has remained a serious problem in most of our hospitals, and donating blood will also help to stamp out the no blood syndrome in our various blood banks, especially now that we are having more accidents on our roads.”

“People should be interested in blood donation because life resides in the blood. It is a good exercise. There is much to benefit from blood donation. You will appreciate blood donation only when you lose a relative, due to shortage of blood.”

He called for more awareness creation on the importance of donating blood, benefits to donors and to the entire society.

Adelugba blamed the poor attitude to blood donation on ignorance. “People are not even aware that excessive blood in the system is also a problem.” Some of the donors who attended the campaign said it was a refreshing experience.

According to 32 year-old Bakare Olabisi, “It is my first time to donate blood. I never knew there was nothing much in it. It is easy. I encourage Nigerians to please donate to save a life.” On his part, Abdulfatai Kelani urged Nigerians not to be scared but to see the exercise as an opportunity to save a life.

Understanding Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Admin

28/08/2013

(By Pharm. Ifeoma Anyanechi – Nworgu)

After a year and half of marriage, Jane had her first gynecologic exam, including a pap smear. The gynecologist found something that worried her and recommended that Jane undergo a procedure called a colposcopy. The doctor found a lesion on the cervix and performed a biopsy, which is the removal of a sample of the damaged tissue for diagnosis.

“Two weeks later,” commented Jane, “The doctor had my husband and I come in for the results. She told us that the lesion was due to an infection with human papilloma virus and that it was at an advanced stage. She explained the risk of the infection becoming cervical cancer and the need to begin treatment immediately.

“Upon hearing the diagnosis, I began to cry. It was a shock to both my husband and I. A small surgery was scheduled for the following day. That afternoon, I felt very sad and worried. I asked myself, ‘Why me?’”

Having read that the virus is sexually transmitted, Jane could not understand how she had been infected. Both she and her husband had always respected the Bible’s high moral principles.

The fact is: millions of women in the world are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), considered the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this infection is the primary risk factor in the development of cervical cancer.

Many hundreds of thousands of cases of HPV are diagnosed in the world annually, and each year many thousands of women die from cervical cancer, which is a consequence of the infection. HPV is a major cause of death from cancer in women in developing countries worldwide. Cervical cancer is the second most common type of uterine cancer. No wonder WHO calls HPV “a global public health problem”.

What else should we know about this virus?

Human papilloma virus is responsible for warts in both men and women, including genital warts, called condyloma acuminate. These are generally benign, or non-cancerous. Although there are over a hundred types of HPV, only a few can be carcinogenic, that is cancerous. It is only the persistent infection with certain types of HPV that causes cervical cancer. On the other hand, most HPV infection disappears spontaneously, being overcome by the body’s immune system.

Risk Factors

Principally, at risk women are those who are sexually active early in life, and which have multiple sexual partners. It is often a man with no outward symptoms who transmits the HPV infected to his mate.

However, in some cases, women who lead morally clean lives or perhaps have never engaged in sexual relations contact the infection; for example, a mother to her child or a person may be infested by a source other than the mother. The disease can become evident, even many years after the person has been infected.

Now to determine infection, if you are a woman, you may be asking yourself, “How can I know if I am infected with HPV?” This is an important question because the disease generally does not cause symptoms.

Thus, as in Jane’s case mentioned at the outset, the fundamental step is to have a cytological exam of the cervix called a pap smear or papanicolaou smear.

To do the test, a clinician uses a scraper or a brush to take a small sample of the cells of the cervix and sends the cells to a laboratory. The test can reveal if there is infection, inflammation or abnormal cells. It is reported that pap smears have reduced cervicial cancer mortality and morbidity rates.

WHO claims “Early detection of precancerous lesions through cytological screening has been the most probable global control of the disease”. If the results of this test are unsatisfactory a colposcopy is done, using an apparatus with a magnifying lens, to observe the affected arear. By this means, it can be determined if tthere is a lesion, if there is a biopsy taken and treatment is started.

Nowadays, even more sophisticated laboratory tests can be done. These determine, with much greater certainty, the presence of disease.

Treatment and Prevention

There are several treatments that can control HPV infection. Specialists use topical treatments. Some of these destroy the cells containing the virus, and others stimulate the immune system. Additional techniques involve removing the damaged or infected area using electro surgery, laser surgery or cryosurgery. Yet, rather than having to deal with treatment, how much better it would be if the infection could be avoided. How can that be done?

A couple of years ago, a symposium was held in Mexico City on the subject “Cervical cancer and HPV in the New Millennium”. Dr U. Cecil Wright, the canadian guest lecturer and expert on HPV advised, “Do not have intercourse until you are married.” Dr Alex Ferenczy, a professor of pathology at McGill University in Montreal Canada, likewise said, “To prevent cervical cancer, mutual monogamy must be championed.”

So, people who have lived in harmony with the moral principle of the Bible are less likely to suffer the cancer-related form of HPV infection. This is because the bible condemns sexual relationship outside of marriage, encourages faithfulness in marriage and exhorts Christains to marry only someone who follows these same principles – 1 Corithians7:39, Heb 13:4.

Still, education is essential, since HPV infection can usually be prevented. Moreover, even when the infection appears and advances, it can be treated successfully. In fact, WHO recognises that “if cervical cancer is detected in an initial asymptomatic stage, it is nearly always curable.”

In addition to moral education, “it is important for women to become informed about the disease and to understand the importance of having such tests, as the pap smear done regularly”. If a problem is detected, a woman can get medical care. Regarding having a proper attitude toward such care, Dr. Montserrat Flores, a specialist in colposcopy, notes “if a woman knows the magnitude of her problem, she can avoid going to two dangerous extremes: one, not assigning proper importance to the disease and not following through with medical care, which can result in cancer and the other, becoming a victim of cancer phobia and submitting to unnecessary surgical procedures.”

Although the results of Jane’s last exam were satisfactory, she still goes for a colposcopy every six months. After having concluded much about her illness, she concluded: “Even if we carry HPV, there is much we can do to keep ourselves healthy.”

Very important: women should eat a healthful diet, such as a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits and cereals. Some studies have suggested that consumption of carotenes vitamin A, C and E and folic acid may reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

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