Pharmacists under the aegis of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) have warned of a looming scarcity of essential drugs, that will endanger the health of the citizens, if the current lack of foreign exchange persists.Speaking during a press briefing to herald the upcoming 35th edition of the association’s national conference, scheduled for 29th May to June 3rd, Kelong, said the situation, if not urgently addressed, would lead to increase in price of drugs, low drug circulation as well as unemployment. He said the conference which holds at Nike Lake Resort Enugu, would be an avenue to address some of these issues and the challenges affecting the pharmacy profession. The ACPN also urged the federal government to constitute the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) council, and to appoint a pharmacists as NAFDAC Director General DG, to enable them carry out their duties effectively.
“Recent happening in the field of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria indicates that the two agencies need to do more. These can be measured by the numerous illegal pharmaceutical premises and patent medicine stores scattered all over the 36 states and FCT Abuja, and the unprecedented increase in the number of fake and substandard pharmaceutical products all over the country”, the group said.
Source:Nationalmirror