The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Rivers State Chapter, says the growing migration of pharmacists out of the country is already affecting healthcare delivery in the state, particularly as young community pharmacists leave the profession in search of greener pastures.
Chairman of the association in Rivers State, Lawson Onengiyefory, stated this in an interview with Today FM’s Odinakachi Celestine. He said the development is reducing the number of experienced pharmacists, creating staff shortages and increasing the risk of illegal pharmacies, patent medicine shops and self-medication across communities.
Onengiyefory noted that community pharmacists are among the closest healthcare providers to residents, warning that the decline in their numbers could make access to quality, safe and effective medicines less guaranteed.
CUE: ONENGIYEOFORY – 10th August
The ACPN Chairman is calling on the Rivers State Government to urgently declare a state of emergency in the pharmaceutical regulatory sector.
He urged the government to activate the existing State Taskforce on Counterfeit and Unwholesome Drugs and Foods, strengthen the State Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee and convene a stakeholders’ summit to address the growing number of illegal pharmacies, open drug markets and patent medicine shops in the state.
According to him, stronger pharmaceutical regulation will enable community pharmacists to better protect residents by ensuring that only quality, safe and effective medicines are available to the public.
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