Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged pharmacists in the
country to intensify their efforts towards identifying and eliminating
fake and substandard drugs to enhance quality healthcare delivery.
Governor Ugwuanyi also advocated that sanctions be meted out to
professionals who involve themselves in the manufacture, importation
or sales of such drugs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 35th Annual National
Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria
(ACPN) held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, the governor noted that the
community Pharmacists as the most accessible healthcare professionals
in the healthcare delivery system, require greater professional
knowledge and skills towards the actualization of the set objectives
in the health sector.
While emphasizing the importance of the conference towards the
concrete efforts to reposition the health sector in Enugu State in
pursuit of its aspiration to turn the State into the choice
destination for medical treatment and medical tourism in the country,
Gov. Ugwuanyi reiterated his administration’s commitment to continue
to partner with the Association and other health care professionals
and bodies to enhance qualitative health care delivery.
The governor disclosed that his administration has ensured proper
equipment and staffing of existing health institutions in the State
and was on the verge of completing an ultra-modern medical diagnostic
centre in Enugu with capacity to serve the needs of the country and
beyond.
He said that the state government has also made arrangements for the
commencement of the construction of three new Specialist Hospitals in
the three Senatorial Zones of the State and has been sustaining and
strengthening the Free Maternal and Child Health Care programme.
In his welcome address, the President of Pharmaceutical Society of
Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai disclosed that the conference was
a platform for stock taking and strategic planning for the future,
adding that that informed the theme of the conference – “ Manpower
Development in Community Pharmacy Practice – Adopting Global Best
Practices”
While commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for identifying with the Association on
its first conference in the State as well as his outstanding
achievements in office as Governor, the PSN President said that the
body was ready to continue to partner with ACPN and other regulatory
authorities to strengthen pharmacy practice through the review of
Pharmacy laws to enable the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (CPN)
perform its regulatory function effectively by eradicating charlatans
and illegal drug traders in the country.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion include, the Honourable
Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, represented by the Chief
Medical Director of UNTH, Dr. Chris Amah, the National Chairman of
ACPN, Dr. Albert Kelong Alkali, Member Representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal
Constituency, Hon. Dennis Amadi, Archbishop of Enugu Province
(Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Chairman of
the Occasion, Pharm. Ifeanyi Okoye, among others.
