Other dignitaries in attendance included the Hon. Minister of Health represented by the CMD, JUTH Dr Pokpop Bupwatda, Vice Chancellor UNIJOS Prof. Tanko Ishaya, DG Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Pharm. (Dr) Samuel Etatuvie, Registrar, PCN Pharm. Ibrahim Baba-Shehu Ahmed FPSN, DG, NAFDAC Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Past Presidents of PSN including Pharm. Yaro Budah FPSN, Pharm. (Sir) Anthony Akhimien FPSN, Pharm. Azubike Okwor FPSN, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo FPSN, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai FPSN, Pharm. Sam Ohuabunwa FPSN and Chairman, Board of Fellows, Pharm. Dr. Joel Adagadzu FPSN.

 

The Chief Host and President of PSN, Prof. Cyril Usifoh FPSN specially welcomed dignitaries, guests and colleagues to the historic event.

 

A keynote address on the theme “Medicine Security in an Unstable Economy” was delivered by the DG, NIPRD, Dr Obi Peter Adigwe.

 

A careful and critical appraisal of proceedings and all sessions was carried out after which the following observations and recommendations were made:

 

1. Conference reminded all present of the COVID-19 experience and the lessons Nigeria, and the rest of the world learned about the poor state of medicine security and the negative impact of over-dependency on imported medicines. Conference asked if we were ready for similar occurrence in the future. Conference, therefore, made a call on the Federal Government to convoke a Pharmacoeconomic Colloquium to take advantage of the enormous potential abounding in the pharmaceutical industry, which is estimated ata trillion dollars globally. While appreciating the N100 billion Pharmaceutical Intervention Fund of the CBN, Conference pointed out that the industry certainly needs much more to survive and contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy through increased local production and to ensure medicine safety while saving much-needed forex.

 

2. Conference evaluated pull-and-push mechanisms in identifying unmet needs in healthcare systems to facilitate funding for research. The strategic sweet spot of a company is where customers’ needs are met in line with companies’ capabilities as well as matching competitors’ offerings. Hence, to ensure medicine security, it becomes imperative that collaboration between Pharmacists and other professionals is critical to identify patients’ needs and match them with novel products that will ensure medicines availability.

 

3. Conference made a case for prioritisation of the initiatives made by NIPRD within its capacity by showing how the Nigerian Pharma Sector is suitably positioned for exponential growth which will no doubt translate to increased access to medicines for Nigerians, as well as socio-economic development in various sectors within and outside the Country.  

 

Conference canvassed the desirability of a platform that will enable the prioritisation that will increase access to safe and high-quality healthcare. Conference postulated that this would bring the untapped potential of the Pharma and Allied sectors to contribute significantly as is the case in other nations to the national economy. 

 

4. Conference adopted calls for synergy between the Postgraduate College of Pharmacists and our local universities in developing a new virile and sustainable Human Resource pool in Pharmacy training at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

 

Conference approved all efforts to restructure the totality of the relationship management architecture between existing and upcoming post-graduate College of Pharmacists and Universities through appropriate regulatory platforms in the Education Sector to enable fresh benefit packages to accrue to all concerned in the training process of Pharmacists. 

 

5. Conference commended the efforts of PSN leadership and its strategic alliance partners notably JOHESU for championing the welfare initiatives of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists alongside other health workers. 

 

Conference applauded efforts to amend the existing University Teaching Hospital Act and the recent payment of Hazard Allowances to Health workers in Nigeria which was engineered by JOHESU in 2020. 

 

Conference strongly counselled the AHAPN to heed the clarion call of the AGM of PSN in 2020 to reintegrate its machinery into NUAHP in a bid to actualise its strength and potential. 

 

Conference solicited a new scheme of service for Pharmacists from the Office of the HOSOF which would incorporate the Pharm. D degree as the minimum entry level into the public service and the approved Consultant Cadre at the Directorate Cadre of the Scheme of Service for Pharmacists.

 

6. Conference thanked the Federal Government for the newly gazetted Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act of 2022 and traced the chronology of how it came about, thanking all people involved in the process. Conference labelled it “huge” as the new law will form the basis for the much-needed change in the sector. 

 

Conference directed the President in NEC to reach out to the Registrar/CEO of PCN to commute information as necessary to all the 36 State Governments and the FCT, the 57 FHIs and sister regulatory agencies on new developments in Pharmacy practice as entrenched in the Pharmacy Act 2022. 

 

Conference also thanked the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for its immense cooperation with the PSN and inclusion of community pharmacies in the primary healthcare facilities cadre, an act which is geared towards better healthcare delivery for Nigerians and improved welfare of Pharmacy practitioners.

 

7. Conference agreed that the Pharmacist’s Role in Curbing the Menace of Substance Abuse was very critical, given the current situation with statistics. Pharmacists’ roles to be adopted to improve patient care was determined to include evaluating the validity of prescriptions; medication-assisted therapy; screening of patients for signs and symptoms of misuse/abuse; referral for psychosocial and behavioral therapies individually, with family, or in group counselling; education and advocacy. No single method of treatment is appropriate for all the knowledge, such that treatment must consider the type of substances used and the need of the individual patients. Conference decried the current scarcity of narcotics in the hospitals and demanded that the FG lives up to its responsibility of making these life-saving drugs available.

 

8. Conference evaluated the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme, tracing the history of the DRF to the Bamako Initiative, how it should operate and how it is being operated. Conference suggested the setting up of an independent National Medicines Supply and Management Agency led by an Executive Secretary/CEO, PSN to set up a think tank for DRF; Set up a PSN fact-finding body on DRF indebtedness and criminalise the anomalies for cost recovery and lastly, mandated that the Pharmacist DRF Manager be a signatory to the DRF account through legislation on DRF.

 

9. Conference identified the Crises-Spurred Efficiency in the pharmaceutical sector, outlining the current dilemma of Pharma sector players as Excessive Importation; Poor Access to Forex, Spiraling Cost of Business; Stiff/Unfair Competition & Poverty; Poor Local Availability of primary Inputs; Poor Collaboration for Pharma Innovation; Talent War; Infrastructure and Unstable Policy Framework. Conference proffered suggestions on how to thrive despite the challenges, which included knowledge, advice, long-term perspective and advocacy.

 

10. Conference mandated the NEC and Council to continue to promote the tenets of collaborative healthcare, a team approach in terms and conditions that the professional integrity and credibility of the profession are not compromised or suffer in any measure. 

 

Conference recognised and acknowledged the reality of the existential threats from adversaries to the profession in the value chain of healthcare dispensation in Nigeria and therefore strongly urged the PSN President-in-Council to continue to be dispassionate, circumspect and decisive in tackling all professional matters in consultation with appropriate constitutional templates.

 

11. Conference expressly endorsed the 9-point charter of demand of the PSN from the Presidential candidates of all the political parties including those who did not attend the Town Hall meeting of the political candidates with Pharmacists on November 4, 2022, in Jos. Conference put on record that some of the salient and core areas of the intervention included: 

 

i. The headship of the FMOH and the MDAs in the Health Sector. 

ii. Welfare of Public Sector Pharmacists. 

iii. Need for Bank of Health. 

iv. Universal Health Coverage and the NHIA Act 2022. 

v. Local manufacturing of drugs, excipients, packaging materials and related matters.

vi. Funding of Healthcare. 

vii. Proper implementation of the National Health Act 2014. 

viii. Need for gradual importation substitution. 

ix. Consideration of issues constraining natural development of Pharmacy.

 

12. Conference successfully invoked the provisions of Chapter 14 Sections 118, 119 and 120 to procedurally approve amendments in some sections of the constitution of the PSN 2020. 

 

Conference lauded the NEC and Council for expediting prompt action in the process leading to the final approval of 2022 AGM at the 95th Annual National Conference which was held in Jos, Plateau State.

 

13. Conference critically appraised the listed demands in item 11 above and demanded the establishment of a Pharmaceutical Action Development Committee to champion a Pharma Sector development based on the PSN Charter of Demands. 

 

Conference reasoned that the FG will probably get it right by appointing a Special Adviser from the Pharmaceutical Sector to fully drive this agenda.

 

14. Conference gave a go-ahead for Administrative/handling charges of N205,000 (two hundred and five thousand naira only) being payments of:

a. PSN National (N200,000)

b. PSN State (N5,000)

for processing bulk payment of Capitation by bank transfer, if the PharmPay and PharmaGateway bulk payment channels are boycotted.

 

15. Conference conveyed its deep sense of gratitude to the Government and people of Plateau State for their traditional hospitality which enhanced the success of the 95th Annual National Conference of the PSN.

 

16. The AGM concluded with elections of new officers into the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. The following Officers were returned elected:

 

Name Position

Pharm. Prof. Cyril Odianose Usifoh FPSN President

Pharm. Binji Haliyu Ibrahim FPSN Deputy President North

Pharm. Egbuna  C. Udeorah FPSN Deputy President South

Pharm. Olugbenga FalabiFPSN National Secretary

Pharm. Ikenna Chibueze Mbata MAW Asst. National Secretary

Pharm. Gafar Lanre Madehin FPSN National Treasurer

Pharm. Luka Manu Wetben National Financial Secretary

Pharm Martins Oyewole FPSN Internal Auditor

Pharm. Dr Margaret Ilomuanya Editor in Chief

Pharm. Dr Felix Ndiukwu MAW National Publicity Secretary

Pharm. Obianuju Onwuatuegwu FPSN Unofficial Member

Pharm. Kingsley Chiedu Amibor FPSN Unofficial Member

Pharm. Sam I. Ohanbunwa OFR, MON, NPOM FPSN IPP

 

 

   

 ____________________ _____________________

Pharm. Prof. C. O. Usifoh FPSN      Pharm. Gbenga Falabi FPSN

(President) (National Secretary)