Traditional Rulers, Residents, Commend ACPN Role in Disease Prevention

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The traditional ruler of Iju-Ishaga, His Royal Highness, Oba Abass Ajibade, the Olu of Ishaga, and his counterpart from Ifako-Ijaiye kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oba Taofeek Fatusi Obawole, the Onifako of  Ifako Kingdom, and several  residents of both communities have lauded the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Branch, for their roles in disease prevention and management.

Speaking at the event organised to commemorate the “World Pharmacy Day 2018”, held at the Ifako-Ijaiye Mini Stadium, Ifako, the Onifako of Ifako Kingdom, Oba Taofeek Fatusi Obawole, who was one of the royal fathers for the event noted that community pharmacists are making invaluable contributions to effective medication use, adding that their roles and contributions in healthcare delivery cannot be overemphasised.

The monarch, however, bemoaned the alarming rate of drug abuse and misuse in the country, describing it as a threat to national development. “Dangerous drugs like codeine, tramadol, and others are being used as stimulants by a large number of our youths, and if care is not taken and nothing is done to put an end to these anomalies, we may have to bear the burden later,” he said.

Also speaking, the Olu of Ishaga, Oba Abass Ajibade, commended the ACPN for its unrelenting efforts at bringing healthcare services closer to the people at the grassroots, saying the role and contributions of community pharmacists in healthcare delivery are very important.

Fielding questions from journalists at the event, chairman, ACPN, Lagos State, Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, noted that the theme of the event “Pharmacists: Your Medicines Experts, was chosen to reflect the important role of community pharmacists in the society, adding that globally, community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, noting that the role of pharmacists has evolved from that of providers of medicines to that of providers of care.

Explaining the vital role of community pharmacists further, Obideyi noted that in line with the theme of the global event, “Pharmacists: Your Medicines  Experts”, he assured the populace of their selfless services including medicine information, patient counselling, drug information and medication review,  as well as enlightenment.

The highpoint of the event was the free counselling and screening of people at the event on health conditions like, blood sugar, blood pressure, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, dental check, and tuberculosis.

Dignitaries at the event included Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, executive chairman, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government; Pharm. (Mrs) Olubukola Oyetunde, head of the department, Clinical Pharmacy, University of Lagos; Pharm. (Mrs) Kemi Adeyeye, managing director, Boluke Pharmacy; Pharm. (Mrs) Ojuolape Okulaja, managing director, Pero Pharmacy; ACP Aruse J.O, Area Commander, Area G Police Command, represented by, ACP Balogun Sanusi; Pharm. Olufemi Ojuoko, Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital; High Chief Omitola Jacob Ademosu, Baale, Egbatedo Panada; Pharm. Anthony Bola Oyawole; Pharm. (Dr) Lolu Ojo, and Pharm. Abiola Paul-Ozieh, immediate past chairman, ACPN, Lagos State, among others.