…Urge Gov Seyi Makinde to wade in
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Oyo State Chapter, and the Oyo State Lawmakers are at loggerheads over the passage of the Veterinary Practising Premises Registration Regulation 2018 into law by the Oyo State House of Assembly, as the ACPN holds that the law contradicts legislation at the National Assembly level.
The association recently noted during a press conference held at its state secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State, that the law passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly undermines the Federal Government’s exclusive authority over drugs.
Speaking at the press conference, Pharm. Adebayo Gbadamosi, chairman, ACPN, Oyo State, described the law passed by the state lawmakers as an affront to the Federal Government’s exclusive power on drugs, adding that only the Federal Government, through the National Assembly, has the ability to legislate and determine who sells drugs, be it to human beings or animals.
It was reported few days ago, that the Oyo State House of Assembly implemented the Veterinary Practising Premises Registration Regulation 2018 to regulate the sales, storage, and dispensing of animal drugs in the state.
Following the passage of the law, reports had it that the Oyo State Government sealed FinRel Pharmacy Supermarket and Bakery in Ibadan for violating the Oyo State Veterinary Practising Premises Registration Regulation 2018, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Gbadamosi, contested certain sections of the law passed by the State House of Assembly, considering them to be an infringement on the Federal Government’s exclusive authority over drugs.
He argued that the ministry’s actions were unlawful and clarified that only the Federal Government, through the National Assembly, has the power to legislate and determine who is allowed to sell drugs, whether for humans or animals.
The ACPN boss in the state, accompanied by Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye, the state chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and other association members urged the police and other security agencies not to assist the ministry in promoting illegality.
While calling on the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, to intervene in the matter, he maintained that the harassment of members of the association by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development could lead to a crisis in the state.
His words : “The ACPN, a technical arm of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), finds it necessary to address the general public regarding the improper actions of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) through the officials of the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. These actions have been taken against members of ACPN using the Veterinary Practise Premises Registration Regulation 2018.
“This law was passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly without going through the appropriate process of public hearing and input from the various sectors of the state that would be affected by the law.”
He further added, “Certain sections of this law passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly infringe upon the National Assembly’s exclusive legislation, which cannot be superseded by the Oyo State House of Assembly legislation.”
Gbadamosi emphasised “Drug matters, similar to national security, fall under the exclusive legislation of the Federal Government. This includes both human and animal medicines. Only the National Assembly has the authority to legislate on such matters. If any state attempts to do so, the National Assembly’s provisions naturally take precedence. State Houses of Assembly have the power to legislate on matters within the concurrent legislative list, but not when it comes to drugs.”
He continued, “Community pharmacists remain steadfast and trust in the outcome of the court case. However, if the Veterinary Council, in any form, interferes with our premises without waiting for the court’s verdict, we may take matters into our own hands to defend ourselves.”.
“Furthermore, we call on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and all other security agencies to refrain from assisting the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture in achieving illegitimate purposes concerning our premises. As law-abiding citizens, we will comply with the court’s verdict once it is reached.”
According to him, only the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), a Federal Government agency has the mandate to determine who is qualified and premises where human and animal drugs are manufactured, stored, sold and dispensed and the PCN is the governmental agency that registers all pharmacies and that of his members in Nigeria.
Other members present were, Pharm Hamidat Akeukereke, general secretary; Pharm Obajimi Jaiyesimi, chief executive officer, Finrel Pharmacy; Pharm Taofiq Odukoya, chief executive officer, Vanguard Pharmacy; Pharm Oke Jacobs, publicity secretary; Pharm Abiodun Ajibade, immediate past chairman, PSN Oyo State and Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye, chairman, PSN Oyo State.
