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May232018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

1% Health Fund will Reduce Poverty, Drive Growth – PSN

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Tuesday commended the Senate for providing one percent allocation of the Consolidated Revenue Fund as basic health fund in the 2018 budgetary allocation to the health sector. PSN specifically commended the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki for keeping to his promise on the fund which is a provision of the National Health Act 2014. In a statement signed by the PSN President, Ahmed Yakasai, the society enumerated the various merits of the fund, saying it would improve health, reduce poverty, create jobs, drive economic growth by healthy citizens and prevent epidemics. It commended the lawmakers for providing N57bn in this year’s budget as provided by the National Health Act 2014 which was passed in 2014 but not “fully implemented till date”

May142018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Porous Drug Distribution System Responsible For Rampant Drug Abuse –Pharm George Okon

Interviews, NEWS

Pharm. George Okon is the zonal coordinator of ACPN Eti-Osa Local Government Area, and the superintendent pharmacist of a Lagos-based community pharmacy. In this interview with PharmaTimes Waire Emonefe, he shares his thoughts concerning the leadership of ACPN as well as the role of the pharmacist in fighting drug abuse. You were an aspirant for the state chairmanship position in the recently concluded ACPN Lagos Chapter elections; why did you step forth to contest? Many community pharmacists in Lagos are unhappy with the leadership of the ACPN, Lagos State Chapter. This is the reason why you do not see them in meetings and other functions. The only thing that makes community pharmacists feel that they are part of the ACPN is the annual dues that they pay, and that is because it is compu...

May82018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

I Risked My Life to Expose ‘Codeine Cartel’, Says Soyinka, BBC Editor

Interviews, NEWS

If you are yet to read about or watch the documentary entitled ‘Sweet Sweet Codeine’, perhaps you haven’t been on social media or moved close to the television in recent times. In a five-month undercover investigation, Adejuwon Soyinka, editor of BBC Pidgin, and Ruona Meyer, a BBC correspondent, led a team of reporters across the country, interacting with victims of drug abuse and those making profit out of their misfortune. The investigation revealed how some corrupt officials of big pharmaceutical companies conspire with distributors who violate the standard procedure by making the cough syrup available in the open market, thereby giving the public uncontrolled access to it. Twenty-four hours after the documentary was aired, the ministry of health banned the production and import of co

Apr102018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Abuse of Ethical Drugs: Strict Prescription Policies Must Be Followed With Good Documentation –Dr. Albert Alkali

Interviews, NEWS

Dr. Albert Kelong Alkali, FPCPharm is the national chairman Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN); in this interview with PharmaTimes WAIRE EMONEFE, he talks about his tenure so far and the problems in the health sector. As the National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria for over 2 years now, how would you assess your tenure so far? My tenure has been very eventful and we have raised ACPN to another level. For the records, these are some of the things we have done: We have for long been in a rented two bed room flat in Fadeyi, along Ikorodu road, a place formerly used by PSN National. I am very happy to tell you that today we have a brand new National Secretariat in Ladipo Kuku street, off Allen in Ikeja, Lagos state. This will help the effec...

Mar142018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Pharmacist Urges Campaign against Drug Abuse in Nigerian Schools

Interviews, NEWS

Pharm. Adeboye Olusoji Richard is a practising pharmacist based in Calabar, Cross-River State. In this interview with GABRIEL IFINNWA, the community pharmacist who graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria spoke on the need to create awareness on the effects of drug use in Nigerian schools. Excerpts: What are some of the challenges you faced in becoming a pharmacist? Finance was a major challenge for me. When I got admission into the university, my father’s business was having some challenges, so assessing funds to purchase books and other items in school was very difficult. Aside that, as any undergraduate in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, impressing lecturers academically most importantly at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences was not easy. Though, in all it was a goo

Mar142018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Regulatory Bodies Need To Step Up In the Fight against Drug Abuse –Pharm Abiola Paul-Ozieh FPCPharm

Interviews, NEWS

Pharm. Abiola Paul-Ozieh FPCPharm is the immediate past Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN), Lagos State Chapter. In this interview with PharmaTimes Waire Emonefe, she shares her thoughts on the menace of drug abuse, the challenges faced by community pharmacists and the need for regulatory bodies to step up in the fight against drug abuse What distinguishes the community pharmacist from other pharmacists? Community pharmacists are based in communities, various neighbourhoods; sometimes we are in commercial nerve centres. We are in the nooks and crannies of the society where we offer pharmaceutical services. I believe that our location as the last leg of the distribution value chain in the pharmaceutical service sector, the community pharmacist is the one you see a...

Feb142018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

FG Should Provide Adequate Facilities to Encourage Local Drug Production in Nigeria –Lagos PSN Chairman

Interviews, NEWS

Pharm. Bola Adeniran is the Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State Branch. She spoke in this interview with PharmaTimes GABRIEL IFINNWA on the need for the Federal and State Governments to empower regulatory agencies to fight fake and adulterated products in the country, among other things. You are the first female to occupy the position of Chairman since the inception of the Association. What motivated you to contest the position? In my profession, there is no woman. We are all men of honour. Whoever is elected as Chairman enjoys the cooperation of all. I am motivated by the desire to see a good practice environment for all Pharmacists, be it in the Hospital, Community, Industry and Academia, to be fulfilled in a chosen area of practice thereby giving sound p...

Feb132018 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Nothing Is Preparing Nigerians for a Diagnosis of Cancer –Dr. Femi Olaleye

Interviews, NEWS

Dr. Femi Olaleye is the Medical Director and CEO of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation - a foundation that has provided free screening to over 50,000 women. He is also the recipient of many awards including the “African Medical Doctor, 2015” award. In this interview with PharmaTimes WAIRE EMONEFE, he speaks on his work, the state of cancer care in Nigeria, and the way forward in the fight against cancer. Tell us about Optimal Cancer Care Foundation? Optimal Cancer Care Foundation is a non-governmental organisation set up as a charity to help raise awareness on cervical, prostate and breast cancer. We also create access and opportunity for people to get screened and have access to early intervention, techniques and treatment for those people who discover they have abnormalities

Nov62017 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

We Are Expanding Access to Medicines in Nigeria – KCH Manager

Interviews, NEWS

In year 2000, malaria was identified as one of the biggest impediments to global development, and so it was selected as a critical global target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). KCH Consumer Healthcare Ltd, a fast rising indigenous pharmaceutical company is leaving no stones unturned in its bid to make the desired impact. In this interview with PharmaTimes Reporter, SALLY AHMED, Head of Public Communications & New Media of KCH, Morgan Nwanguma says the company is making medicine accessibility easy. He sheds light on this as well as the company’s doggedness to sustain growth in spite of the daunting macroeconomic environment and peculiar industry challenges. KCH appears passionate about malaria; what’s the special interest? You will agree with me that malaria is a serious

Oct62017 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

How the Pharma Industry in Nigeria Can Compete Globally –NIROPHARM President

Interviews, NEWS

Pharm. Lekan Asuni is the President, Association of Nigerian Representatives of Overseas Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NIROPHARM). He is also the founder and CEO of LEFAS Pharmaceuticals Limited. In this interview with PharmaTimes Correspondent, GABRIEL IFINNWA, he reveals how drugs manufactured locally can meet international standards, and why the pharma industry still needs government support. Excerpts: What are your major achievements as chairman, Association of Nigerian Representatives of Overseas Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NIROPHARM)? As you are aware NIROPHARM represents multi-national pharmaceutical manufacturing companies locally. The Association sets and operates on a very high standard. We ensure that the international best practices are met locally. This we do through every...

Sep192017 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Amaju Ezenduka: The Menace of Patent Medicine Dealers, And the Chaos in Delta Drug Market

Interviews, NEWS

It must not be lost on us – the fact that Community Pharmacists are at a strategic vantage position to contribute to nation building, as well as making the health sector to function better. Pharm. (Mrs.) Amaju Ezenduka is a community pharmacist operating in Warri, Delta State where she is also saddled with the responsibility of public enlightenment on behalf of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) in that part of the country. She bares her mind to PharmaTimes Editor, MORGAN NWANGUMA, on what she terms a chaotic situation in Delta State, and the nation at large. In nation building everyone has a duty or role to play. The community is where social interactions of all sorts take place at the grassroots. The community is where you mingle with the masses; it is the root o

Aug152017 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Why Nigeria’s Pharma Industry Must Be Transparent – Teresa Pounds

Interviews, NEWS

Dr. Teresa Pounds is the Clinical Pharmacy Manager and Pharmacy Residency Programme Director, Wellstar Atlanta Medical Centre, in Atlanta, Georgia - USA. In this interview with PharmaTimes’ Gabriel Ifinnwa, she speaks about the pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria, and how to curb the high cost of drugs in the country. Excerpts: Tell us about yourself? My name is Teresa Pounds. I am a native of Asaba, Delta State; I went to pharmacy school in the US. I obtained my bachelor of science, Doctor of Pharmacy, and then I did my post graduate residency where I specialised in Parental nutrition support and critical care. I have been practising in the US for more than 20 years. I am currently the Clinical Pharmacy manager and Director at Wellstar, Atlanta Medical Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, US. I

Jul272017 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

70% Of Nigeria’s Pharma Sector Is Import Dependent – Falabi, NAIP National Chairman

Interviews, NEWS

Pharm. Gbenga Falabi is the General Manager Green Life Pharmaceuticals Limited, and the National Chairman of Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP). In this interview with PharmaTimes Correspondent, GABRIEL IFINNWA, he gives an insight into how the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria can stop being import dependent, and why a pharmacist should be appointed as the Director General of NAFDAC. Excerpts: What are your achievements as National Chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP)? First, we set out (I and my executive) to ensure unity of purpose within the industry. That was the mandate we were given. Secondly, as an association we looked at ways we can improve on the welfare of our members. Also, to strategise on ways the profession can contribute to o...

May232017 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Private Partnership In Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System: Prospects, Challenges And Way Forward

Interviews, NEWS

Involvement of Private entities to participate in healthcare strengthening has been a drive to achieve national health goals in Nigeria. Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Health is the collaboration of both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, working harmoniously to harness and optimise the use of all available resources, knowledge and facilities required to promote efficient, effective, affordable, accessible, equitable and sustainable healthcare for all people in Nigeria. PROSPECTS In the MDG era, National Policy on Public Private Partnership for health in Nigeria was adopted in 2004 to meet the healthcare need of the entire population. The involvement of Private interest groups and actors in healthcare provisioning was due to the deplorable national health profile and de...

May222017 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

15 Million Nigerians Are Suffering From Asthma – Dr. Efosa Erhabor

Interviews, NEWS

A day in the month of May every year is set aside in which countries observe the World Asthma Day. It is an annual event organised to improve asthma awareness and care. Dr. Gregory Efosa Erhabor is a Professor of Medicine and Consultant Chest Physician at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; he is also the President & Founder, Asthma and Chest care Foundation in Nigeria, as well as Chairman, National Asthma Committee. In this interview with PharmaTimes Correspondent, GABRIEL IFINNWA, he sheds light on the prevalence of Asthma in Nigeria, and the need to create specialised centres to manage the condition in the country. What exactly is asthma? Asthma is a disease characterised by chronic airway inflammation making it difficult for someone to breathe. Usually respiratory symptoms su