In Anambra: Pharmacists charged to take back profession from unlicensed vendors
By- polycarp Ifeanyi
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) Anambra State chapter has challenged members to take back their profession from unlicensed vendors dominating their trade.
The body gave the charge at the end of her 31st annual state conference tagged “Peculiarities of Community Pharmacy Practice In Anambra State and the way forward.”
The two days event held at Patterson Auditorium, All Saints Anglican Church Cathedral Onitsha, Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, Prince Pharm. Chijioke Oformata said the practice of Community in the State has become due to numerous drugs stores available.
According to him, the practitioners are challenged by the unhealthy competition from unlicensed vendors. He also complained about the high proliferation of fake and substandard medicine, poor perception of the role of pharmacists by the public, conflicting dimensions in the practice, among many others.
Pharm. Oformata further charged community Pharmacy Practitioners to wake from their slumber and take back their profession before non professionals and quacks take over their jobs.
Delivering his key note address, Anambra State permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Emman-Ude Akpeh expressed need for practicing Pharmacists to avail themselves in their stores and attend to patients, listen to them and counsel them accordingly in order to take back their profession.
He outlined some responsibilities of community Pharmacists as processing of prescription, , patients counseling, consultation to general practitioner and drug information services.
Dr Akpeh who is the Chief Executive officer of Wisdom Pharmacy LTD noted that non professional community Pharmacists are waxing strong to overtake professionals in their job because they are within reach of patients.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of the Association, Pharm. Mrs. Nwamaka Nzewi commended conference planning Committees led by Pharm. Anthony Okeke, describing the event as a timely.
She advised her colleagues not to relent in doing their jobs as well as always avail themselves in their stores so that quacks would not take over their jobs.
On his part, the conference planning Committee Chairman, Pharm. Anthony Okeke expressed delight at the successful event.He urged all the professionals especially the young ones to join hands to make their association formidable.
He also called on other professional bodies in the health care to join hand in the fight against fake drug and drug abuse.
The event graced by dignitaries including Chairman of Anambra State Chapter of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria ( PSN), Pharm. Josephat Obasi and Prince Pharm. Chijioke Oformata, the Chairman of the occasion, among many others.
