-As Sanwo-Olu Promises to fulfil his pledge to pharmacists
The main hall of the Sheraton Hotel was filled to capacity with men of timber and calibre in the Pharmaceutical Industry, as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos State branch, held its 2019 Annual Luncheon and Welcome Reception for Newly Inducted Fellows of PSN.
The three-in-one event, also featured the N50 million fund raising exercise, for the completion of on-going secretariat building, as well as for the purchase of a 120KVA brand new generator, for the secretariat use.
Top among the list of dignitaries that graced the occasion were: The Governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Dr Fidelis A. Ayebae, managing director, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Olumide Akintayo, former PSN president; Former chairmen of the state branch; Pharm. Oluwakemi Adeyeye, managing director, Boluke Pharmacy Ltd; Newly inducted Fellows of the state branch; Merit Award Winners of the branch, and others.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Fidelis A. Ayebae, managing director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, called the pharmacists attention to recent development in the industry, noting that if all pharmacists in the nation do not rise to address the issue urgently, it might be too late to reverse the situation.
The Fidson boss, who was down-to- earth in his address, told the pharmacists that whether they like it or not, if they do not look towards indigenous manufacturing and marketing soonest, a foreign monopoly is slowing but surely building up, and in no time at all, it might take over the industry.
He lamented the condition of local pharmaceutical manufacturing in the country, stating that as the Chairman of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), he will be doing them a great disservice, if he could not tell them that local manufacturing companies are dying in Nigeria.
His words: Imagine if there were no local manufacturers in the country, where will the young graduates practice? But the economy is not helping local manufacturers, because factories in Nigeria are the most horrible places to visit, thus every pharmacist must rise to play his or her role in changing the narrative”.
He therefore charged all right thinking pharmacists, to rise and salvage the industry from the ugly situation it has found itself, by thinking in the right direction, and ready to challenge any foreign monopoly, that is emerging to dominate the market against the interest of indigenous pharma companies.
“I look forward to all right thinking Nigerians, to think towards made –in –Nigeria products. Whatever little thing you can do for this country, in your own little corner, for the sake of our children, please do and posterity will not forget you”, he charged them.
The Governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while addressing the pharmacists, reassured them of the fulfilment of the promises he made to them, during his campaign activity, at their secretariat, saying he was mindful to execute the projects one after the other, to enhance access to better healthcare by Lagosians.
Sanwo-Olu, who was the special guest of honour, at the occasion noted among other projects he promised to execute, in order to boost manpower in the field of Pharmacy, was the establishment of a Pharmacy Department in the Lagos State University (LASU), as it shouldn’t be heard of that after more than three decades of existence, the university has no Pharmacy department.
He also made mentioned of the pledge he made to the pharmacists, on the construction of the road, leading to the Lagos State PSN Secretariat, at Ogudu, assuring them of the execution of the contract, to the letter.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the luncheon, by Mr Olusola Adu, former head of sales at GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria, urged the pharmacists to support the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, adding that if there are areas of the scheme they are not in support of, it can easily be discussed and resolved, for the advancement of better healthcare delivery service in the state.
“I appealed to pharmacists that good quality drugs are available in all government hospitals, at all times, as we are working out modalities to fight the production and circulation of fake and substandard drugs in the state to a standstill”, he quipped.
The Lagos State PSN, Chairperson, Pharm. (Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran, she made a summary of the previous year luncheon, the amount realised, and the project executed with the fund raised, while noting that the Society was aiming at raising N50 million from this year’s luncheon, to purchase a 120KVA brand new generator for the secretariat.
Among the projects executed in the previous year, according to her were: the purchase of a Toyota Hiace bus, valued at N26 million, completion of the twin building complex for the secretariat, establishment of a Welfare Scheme for members, etc.
 Lagos State branch, held its 2019 Annual Luncheon and Welcome Rece){kind=link}