The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria on Thursday said it had registered over 22,000 qualified pharmacists since its inception in 1970.
The council’s registrar, Elijah Mohammed, disclosed this in Lafia at a pharmacy stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Nasarawa State Chapter.
Mohammed said: “I want to reveal to us today that we have 17 schools of pharmacy in Nigeria with more waiting for approval to commence.
“The council has registered over 22,000 pharmacists in Nigeria since its inception to ensure quality healthcare service delivery.’’
The registrar, who was represented by Nwora Okpalaeke, called on drugs regulatory agencies to partner with PSN to tackle drug abuse and improve on the health of the populace.
He said that the council had rolled out plans to checkmate quackery in the profession, as it was hampering quality health care service delivery in the country.
Mohammed warned quack pharmacy practitioners to desist from their illegal activities or face the full wrath of the law.
According to him, pharmacy is the bridge between the product and patient, and the role of pharmacists in the society cannot be over-emphasised.
He said: “Right from the points of manufacturing, handling to administration of medicine to the end-point, it needs to be handled by trained pharmacists in the industry.”
Earlier, the PSN Nasarawa State chapter Chairman, Agada Vincent-Agada, said the stakeholders meeting was aimed at providing solution to the problems associated with drug administration in the country.
Vincent-Agada said: “Any pharmacist that is not operating according to the pharmaceutical ethics and values in the state will be shut.
“This is in the interest of the health of the people and for the overall development of the country.’’
He advised the public on the dangers of self-medication, urging them to rather seek medical examination before taking drugs in the interest of their health and wellbeing.
The meeting was attended by the Police, National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Department of State Services.
The meeting had the theme: “Pharmacy Practice, Regulatory Agencies and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.@
