PSN Extols Soludo For Reforming Pharmaceutical Sector

PSN Extols Soludo For Reforming Pharmaceutical Sector
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Branch, has praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration for the initiatives it has taken to reform the pharmaceutical sector in the State within six months.

Speaking to the Newsmen in Awka, the Branch Chairman of the Society, Mr Josephat Obasi described the policies and reforms as progressive and sustainable, noting that they will change the landscape of pharmaceutical practice in the state in the next twenty years.

Some of the reforms and initiatives enumerated by Mr Obasi include the approval for recruitment of twenty-five pharmacists into the health sector workforce of the state, groundbreaking of the Co-ordinated Wholesale Drug Centre in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, the planned closure of the open drug market at Bridgehead within two years and the approval for a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area.

Others include the formation of a fake and counterfeit drug enforcement committee, upgrade of the pharmaceutical assurance unit, the revival of the herbal and traditional medicine directorate, returning the headship to pharmacists and the standardization of the drug revolving fund of the state ministry of health.

These reforms, Mr Obasi assured, will improve health care service delivery in the state and emphasized that when the Coordinated Wholesale Centre, Oba is completed and open drug market, Bridgehead, Onitsha, is closed, it will reduce distribution of fake and substandard drugs as the centre will increase monitoring, control and distribution of drugs in the state and environs.

He asked members of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to subscribe to the Coordinated Wholesale Centre so as to ensure that the project is realized within the stipulated two years and that standard drug chain distribution practice is enshrined.

The Anambra State Branch Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria also commended the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Medicals and Pharmaceuticals, Dr Godwin Nnadozie for their support and went further to pledge the collaboration of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in the State to reforms that will help improve the living standards of the people.