For the pharmaceutical industry to make significant input to the development of the nation, there is need for improvement in the contribution of the subsector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is less than one percent at present, Pharm. (Mrs) Clare Omatseye, ceo, JNC International Ltd., Lagos has said.
Omatseye, who was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Lagos Pharmacy Week, held on 17 August, 2017 at the M2 Arena Event Centre, said all pharmacists must change their orientation and start thinking outside the box, in order to increase the worth of the industry from $20 billion dollars to $40-$65 billion dollars in year 2020.
The healthcare practitioner who stressed the recent changes in the society demanding increase in services and medicines, noted that although the industry is growing, but at a very slow pace, which should be a concern for every pharmacist to make his/her contribution impact significantly on the growth of the subsector.
“Research and development is a vital area for pharmaceutical development, but how many drugs have been produced locally so far, and what the plans to create new indigenous drugs are”, she asked. Omatseye further challenged the roles of pharmacists in the prognosis for chemotherapy, adding that there is need for specialist pharmacists in the different diseases area, while urging the pharmacists to upgrade themselves to meet these requirements.
The Lagos State PSN Chairman, Pharm. Bolanle Adeniran said government needs to intervene in healthcare delivery as a matter of urgency, before a total collapse of the system.
Adeniran who decried the global capitation payment system for the health insurance, said it is not favourable to all practitioners, as it directs funds to be paid into the coffers of a primary care provider, who is a medical doctor, while he is expected to credit other providers. Having observed this payment system for some years, she said:”This arrangement does not protect the secondary and tertiary providers, as they are relegated to contend with individuals. The result is most practitioners in pharmacy, laboratory science, physiotherapy, radiography and others do not offer services in health insurance because of these compromises”.
While appreciating the Lagos State government for the inclusion of community pharmacists into the State health scheme, based on the guidelines for the registration from the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Adeniran pointed out why the concept of fee for services is the best for the state social health scheme to embrace.
The event was graced by notable figures like the President of the PSN, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; the PCN Registrar, Pharm. N.A.E, Mohammed, national chairman of AHAPN, Pharm. Martins Oyewole; Pharm. (Chief) U.N.O Uwaga, chairman, opening ceremony; Special guest of honour, Pharm.Inusa Bello; and others
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