By Michael Ezenwata
The 44th International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria has kicked off in Awka with renewed hope to strengthen the association’s practice through technology integration.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo declared the conference open at the International Convention Centre, Awka with a call on the leadership of the Community Pharmacists to beam its search light on its members with a view to purging itself of practitioners playing double standards and nipping in the bud, sharp practices undermining their professional ethics and conduct.
The governor suggested that the group should adopt a mechanism whereby the activities of its members should be policed by a special task force which should also be supervised by another special task force to eliminate counterfeit,fake and substandard drugs,and to ensure the manufacturing, regulation and distribution of drugs fit for human consumption.
He sought partnership with the association and announced that his administration is intentional about the delivery of its health services to the most vulnerable in the state and strengthening its primary health care delivery system.
The governor announced that part of his vision in the health sector is to actualize the completion of the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Oba for the manufacturing, regulation and distribution of drugs that will meet the global standards.
He accepted that the state will play host to the 99th national conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria scheduled to hold in 2026 and promised that God willing,if he is re elected as governor of Anambra State,he will ensure that the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Oba will be commissioned during the conference.
The National President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharmacist Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim in a speech, commended Governor Soludo for playing a wonderful host and lifting Anambra State to enviable heights through his infrastructural development strategy.
The National President announced that the 99th national conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria will be hosted by Anambra State and looked forward to a pleasant outing by the association in the state.
On his part, the National Chairman of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Pharmacist Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma also used the forum to eulogize Governor Soludo for his Community Pharmacists Friendliness and reforms in the health sector which have moved the state to greater heights.
In a message to the occasion, the President, Anambra Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines And Agriculture, Pharmacist Uche Apakama appreciated Governor Soludo for his enviable track record of good governance particularly in the health sector and expressed delight that the 99th conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria which will be hosted by Anambra State,will come with a great difference.
Pharmacist Apakama a Fellow of the PSN, further appreciated the efforts of the governor in ensuring that safety standards are maintained in the manufacturing, regulation and distribution of drugs in the state.
Contributing, the state Chairman of ACPN, Pharmacist Henry Iloh expressed delight in the cooperative role played by Governor Soludo in providing an enabling environment for the ACPN and endorsed him for a second term in office.
In their separate remarks,some practicing Pharmacists in Nigeria namely Victor Okwuosa,Alphonsus Muogbo,Uchenna Ohia and Hilary Angless expect the federal government to improve on the nation’s health sector.
- Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
