The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos Chapter, has called on the Lagos State government to allocate a site for a coordinated wholesale centre to sanitise drug distribution.
Lawrence Ekhator, the state chairman of ACPN, made the call at the association’s annual general meeting held on Wednesday in Lagos.
Ekhator was speaking against the backdrop of the initiated coordinated wholesale center in Kano to sanitise drug distribution in the state and also aim at addressing drug abuse among youths.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Kano State government, in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), initiated the relocation of open drug markets to the ultra-modern coordinated wholesale centre.
“Drugs are regulated items that are legislated upon by the federal government, just like guns, and this should be of interest to every government when the issues of drug distribution and open markets are discussed.
“Using the case of Kano as an example, they have a coordinated wholesale centre to streamline and sanitise drug distribution and also tackle the high rate of drug abuse among youths.
“Lagos State also has the same issues on drug distribution and drug abuse; the different open drug markets available in the state can be moved to a permanent place to allow proper monitoring of the inflow and outflow of drugs.
“We are calling on the state government to allocate or push forward a site for the establishment of a coordinated wholesale centre to monitor the distribution of drugs as the first step to address the high rate of drug abuse.”.
He added that the decreasing purchasing power of Nigeria due to the current economic situation in the country had affected members of the association.
Ekhator urged the government to put adequate measures in place to address the current economic challenges in the country.
“The cost of drugs has skyrocketed due to the present inflation in the country. Some Nigerians, especially the vulnerable, are already taking herbal drugs to care for their health.
“This has reduced the patronage for orthodox medicine, and it has taken its toll on us.
“We urge the government to bring up policies that will revive the economy and stabilise things.”.
He advised members of the association to remain dedicated to their profession and avoid practices that could jeopardise the profession. (NAN)
