Enugu – Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Tuesday re-launched the ‘Green Cross Emblem’ of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), aimed at checking circulation of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
Ugwuanyi performed the re-launch during the official opening ceremony of the 35th Annual Conference of the association at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the emblem, which made its debut in 1976, is a major control signage of places where genuine drugs are sold across the country.
The governor said that the event was significant, as it would help eliminate sub-standard drugs which had claimed a lot of lives in the country.
“As community pharmacists, your positions as the most accessible health care professionals demand greater professional knowledge.
“You should intensify efforts towards identifying and eliminating counterfeit and substandard drugs and also sanctioning professionals who involve themselves in manufacture, importation, or sale of such drugs,” he said.
He said that the state government desired to improve healthcare delivery system in the state and was at the verge of completing the ultra modern diagnostic centre in the state, among other projects.
Ugwuanyi said that his administration would continue to ensure that the manpower component of the state’s health delivery system received the needed boost.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the ACPN, Mr Albert Alkali said that participants at the conference would be educated on current best practices of fighting fake and counterfeit drugs.
“In our drive to contribute to the fight against fake and counterfeit products, we are going to unveil the green cross emblem which has a unique number that shows you are a registered community pharmacist.
“In community pharmacist practice, you do not just obtain dispensing, but you have pharmaceutics care, counseling, health promotions and lots more,” he said.
Alkali commended the state governor for efforts in promoting healthcare delivery in the state.
The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Mr Elijah Mohammed, in his speech, said that the council as part of its reforms had commenced plans to reorganise the chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria.
“Let me inform the conference that the drive towards full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guideline is very much on course.
“With this drive the future of a well structured drug distribution system in Nigeria looks bright.
“We are working with various organisations to develop different training modules for community pharmacists,” he said.
Mohammed said that the council had stepped up its enforcement systems in various states to sanitise the practice environment.
NAN reports that the theme of the conference is ‘Manpower Development in Community Pharmacy Practice: Adopting Global Best Practices.’ (NAN)
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