The president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ayuba Tanko, has urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to resolve critical issues endangering Nigerian Public Health and impeding the growth of the pharmaceutical industry. Speaking at his inaugural ceremony and the investiture of new fellows of the PSN, Tanko emphasized two pressing issues—the prolonged lack of a PCN governing council and the delayed implementation of the Consultant Cadre for Pharmacists. He pointed out that these problems have not only hindered career growth but also exposed the public to significant health risks amid the growing circulation of counterfeit drugs.
While the Consultant Cadre for Pharmacists has been approved by the National Council on Establishment since 2011 and reaffirmed in 2021, its delayed implementation has continued to be a controversial topic. The Consultant Cadre was designed to improve healthcare delivery and their involvement in patient care by recognizing pharmacists as consultants in clinical settings. Tanko, however, expressed frustration that despite final approval from the Federation’s Office of the Head of Service in late 2024, the procedure has been purposefully delayed.
Delayed implementation taking a toll on healthcare delivery.
He accused the CEOs of federal health institutions of undermining the execution, insisting that the Federal Ministry of Health should enforce its orders and hold non-compliant institutions accountable. Tanko claims that the ongoing delay not only jeopardizes pharmacists’ Professional Development but also denies Nigerians access to the better healthcare services that consultant pharmacists could offer, especially during a period when the country’s healthcare system is beset by many challenges. The PSN president called on the Federal Ministry of Health to implement its order and penalize any medical facilities that disregard the Consultant Cadre circular.
Tanko emphasized that the ministry’s authority must be upheld in order to guarantee that public service regulations are followed and that the healthcare system reaps the benefits of pharmacists’ full contributions. He criticized state governments for their tardy implementation of the cadre, citing Lagos State’s decision to suspend the authorized circular as “worrisome.” Alongside the Consultant Cadre issue, the PSN president criticized the absence of a governing council for the PCN, which oversees pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
Regulatory gap fuels counterfeit medications spread.
This regulatory void has weakened the fight against subpar and counterfeit medications in the country, occurring at a time when Nigeria struggles with the spread of counterfeit medications, a multi-billion-naira illicit industry that poses a threat to public health. In the absence of a working PCN, counterfeit and inferior items have found it easier to enter the market as regulatory compliance has been hindered. Tanko urged the health minister to immediately reorganize the council, warning that the current situation is making the nation’s already precarious healthcare system worse.
Notwithstanding the commendable efforts made by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to combat counterfeit medications, the PCN’s lack of cooperation has reduced the overall effectiveness of these efforts. Tanko pointed out that without the PCN’s active participation, enforcement actions still fall short as the organization is essential to controlling pharmaceutical facilities and guaranteeing adherence across the medication distribution chain. The PSN president further highlighted the importance of a coordinated strategy between NAFDAC and the PCN to effectively combat the “hydra-headed menace” of counterfeit medications that continue to inundate the Nigerian market.
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Moreover, Tanko’s call for quick action comes as bogus medications are now a major health risk to Nigerians, frequently resulting in treatment failures, deteriorating health, and even fatalities. He underlined that while the PSN is still dedicated to protecting public health and adhering to Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP), the government must supply the legal framework required to support these initiatives. The PSN president called on the Honourable Minister of Health to immediately reassemble the PCN’s governing council in order to bolster the battle against fake medications and shield consumers from the risks associated with inferior products.