The newly elected Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara State Branch, Pharm. Munirat Bello, has described Nigeria’s drug distribution system as a “national emergency”, calling for urgent government action to protect citizens from drug abuse, irrational drug use and substandard medicines.
Bello, who is the first female pharmacist to lead the PSN in Kwara State, made the call in Ilorin while outlining her priorities and the challenges confronting pharmaceutical practice in the country.
She urged the Federal Government to ensure the effective implementation of existing national guidelines on drug distribution, stressing that medicines should only reach consumers through regulated channels.
“We have a very serious, chaotic drug distribution in Nigeria. In fact, I will call it a national emergency,” Bello said.
According to her, the proliferation of unlicensed outlets and informal medicine markets exposes Nigerians to inappropriate medication, drug abuse and unsafe treatment.
She said her administration would work with relevant government agencies, including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to strengthen regulation and improve pharmaceutical practice in the state.
Bello also called for stronger collaboration between professional and enforcement agencies in tackling drug abuse, particularly through closer cooperation between the PSN and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“We are looking to strengthen our collaboration to provide access to the recovery team. We need to tackle it from the root, and that is where the drug distribution guidelines come in,” she said.
The PSN chairman advised Nigerians to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and other authorised outlets, rather than open markets and unlicensed drug sellers.
She said pharmacists had a critical role to play in ensuring that medicines were prescribed, dispensed and used appropriately, adding that her administration would intensify public education on medication safety, rational drug use and the dangers of drug abuse.
Bello said the PSN would also increase its media engagements to reach a wider audience with information on responsible medicine use and the dangers associated with self-medication and misuse of drugs.
On the relationship between pharmacists and medical doctors, she called for greater professional collaboration, saying rivalry among healthcare professionals should not be allowed to undermine patient care.
“The objective of everyone in the healthcare sector is the patient,” she said.
Bello explained that while doctors should focus on diagnosis, pharmacists had a professional responsibility to review prescriptions, dispense medicines and counsel patients on their appropriate use.
She said addressing drug abuse required a collective effort involving government, families, schools, religious institutions, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.
According to her, sustained public awareness, effective regulation and stronger enforcement would be crucial to reducing the misuse of medicines and other drugs.
On the welfare of pharmacists, Bello said she would prioritise the professional well-being of members working in hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical industries, academia and medicine distribution.
She stressed that pharmacists needed an enabling working environment to perform effectively and contribute to improved healthcare delivery.
“Every pharmacist is well supported in terms of their welfare so that they can excel in delivering their best in their place of work. By extension, that will now translate to better healthcare for the people,” Bello said.
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