Pharm. (Dr) Ahmed Tijani Mora, former registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), foundation dean, Kaduna State University (KASU), and visiting professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University (IUO), Okada, Edo State, has launched a book on drug distribution.
The book, The Lizard Shape Model in Drug Distribution in Nigeria, an updated version of the first edition launched in 2014 was unveiled during a well-attended ceremony held at the Empowerment Centre, Gabriel Akinmade Taylor Plaza, Allen Avenue, Lagos State recently.
The event was graced by stakeholders from both health and education sector. They included, Rtd Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, director general, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Chief Dr Stella Okoli, founder and chairman, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, who was the chairperson of the occasion; Prof. Gabriel E. Osuide, pioneer director general, National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who was the special guest of honour; Pharm. Dr S. Okey Akpa, national chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN); Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Limited and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, former president and chief executive officer, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc.
Others were Prof. O.O Kunle, acting director general, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD); HRH, Igwe Pharm. Alex Uzo Onyido, Igwe Ezechuan Agha 1 of Ogidi, Anambra State, who was the royal father of the day; Prof. Peter Aziba, who represented the vice-chancellor, Igbinedion University (IUO), Okada, Edo State; Pharm. (Mrs) C.C Onunkwo, who represented the director, Food and Drugs Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja; Mrs. Cecilia U. Gayya, director general, ASCON, Badagry; Pharm. Augustine Ezeugwu, zonal director, PCN, who represented the registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Elijah Mohammed, Mr. Abdulrahaman Rajab, who represented the minister of state for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar; Prof. U. U. Pateh, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, who reviewed the book and also represented the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), University of Jos, Plateau State, Prof. Nelson Ochekpe and Prof. E. N. Sokomba, former chairman, PCN, among others.
Speaking with Pharmanews, an elated Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora, noted that since the publication and public presentation of the first edition of the book in May, 2014, many practitioners across the country have been scrambling to get copies. According to him, the demand was high to the extent that the first 1,000 copies published were exhausted. This, in his opinion, justified publishing of the second edition which was an updated version of the first, with more recent data and information.
Speaking on the reason for the unique name of the book “The Lizard Shape Model in Drug Distribution in Nigeria”, the university don explained that the book is not on the biology of lizards, but rather about drugs that affect the human body system. “Besides, the manufacture of pharmaceuticals products to their ultimate destination in officially designated healthcare premises for citizens to access is a long journey,” he said.
