The Lagos branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeriam (PSN), has called on the registrar of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to rise to the challenge of curbing the spate of irregularities that has affected the profession in recent times.
Speaking on the state of pharmacy practice in Nigeria during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PSN-Lagos, chairman of the branch, Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, also expressed the disappointment of his members over the aborted plan to kick-start the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDGs) which was expected to sanitise the nation’s drug distribution system.
The plan could not be implemented as earlier scheduled due to disagreement among stakeholders.
“This and other issues necessitate the pragmatic intervention of the PCN registrar, as there is no gainsaying the fact that the environment as presently obtains is not very conducive for practice in the land. Our colleagues are still yearning for the much promised change in the administration of pharmacy practice in our land as promised by the registrar on assumption of office over a year ago”, Olubowale said .
He also lamented the adverse effects of the absence of a governing council for the PCN, following the dissolution of the former council alongside other agencies and parastatals by the federal government, stating that this had brought setback to the practice, as there were several pending issues awaiting the ratification of the council.
Olubowale, who was returned unopposed as chairman of the Society with all the officers in his administration, to pilot the affairs of the branch for another year, promised to continue to serve the group in the best interest of the members.
Delivering a report on his stewardship to the house, Olubowale said his administration had successfully secured the pharmacy villa building, which had been facing some structural challenges in recent times.
Another issue that took the centre stage at the AGM was the secretary’s report that showed a drop in revenues generated in the year under review, which the chairman attributed to the fact that some members moved away from Lagos to other states, probably due to high cost of living.
He also cited failure on the part of some civil servants in payment of annual dues.
