The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), on Tuesday, decried the fact that there were only 17, 000 pharmacists registered with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in Nigeria.

Mr Ali Bakau, the PSN chairman, Kwara chapter, made this disclosure at a press conference to mark the World Pharmaceutical Day (WPD) in Ilorin.

Bakau said this number implied that these were the only pharmacists licensed to practice in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria, adding that this was inadequate for the health sector.

“In a country as Nigeria with a population of about 180 million people, this is grossly inadequate, the PSN chairman, represented by Dr Abu-Saeed Kamaldeen, the Deputy Chairman of PSN Kwara chapter, said.

According to him, Kwara has only 18 registered pharmacists within the 44 medical facilities in the state.

The PSN chairman said that the PSN was working closely with the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) to ensure that pharmacists and the pharmacy professionals in Nigeria are well regulated.

According to him, this development will ensure that their roles and impact are felt maximally by the society.

He advised government at all levels to employ the services of more pharmacists, where needed in order to address the inadequacy.

Bakau, therefore, urged the Kwara State Government to boost the number of pharmacists in the state hospitals and health ministry, so that their impact could be felt by the populace.

He said that the theme for this year’s WPD: “Pharmacists: Your Medicine Experts’’, was focused on the extensive expertise that pharmacists had, and put to use everyday to ensure better health for patients.

Bakau said that pharmacists played roles in industries, hospitals, academics, communities and pharmacy regulations among others, adding that they used their learning in these areas to serve the country.

Also, Mrs Barakat Olanrewaju, the Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Kwara Ministry of Health, said the state drug control committee was partnering with other stakeholders including the law enforcement agencies and religious bodies to control drug abuse. (NAN)

– Sept. 25, 2018 @ 14:35 GMT |