Imo State Chapter of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Bill into law.
The association, a technical arm of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) made the appeal in a communique signed by its state Chairman, Mr. Nkem Anaele and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.
Anaele said that when signed, the bill which was passed by the National Assembly in 2017 would address challenges in the pharmaceutical sub-sector and by extension the healthcare system in Nigeria.
The practicing pharmacist listed the challenges to include chaotic drug distribution, drug abuse epidemic, lax regulation and enforcement among others.
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He added that the signing of the bill by the President would strengthen regulatory agencies especially the PCN to improve medication access and quality pharmaceutical care through the proposed satellite pharmacy initiative.
The chairman said that the bill when signed would change the narratives and better enable the sub-sector to contribute to National Gross Domestic Products ( GDP).
“Nigeria is probably the only nation without comprehensive legislation to control drug distribution and medication use.
“All the existing laws are archaic and lack the necessary provision to save the nation from these challenges especially drug abuse and fake drug syndrome. You never can tell who the next victim of fake drugs will be.
“We hereby request Mr President to please sign this all important bill to save the nation and its citizens from this present quagmire as anything to the contrary will amount to a grand conspiracy against Nigeria,” he appealed. (NAN)
