News & Events
Pharmacists Criticize Government’s Decision to Stop Funding Professional Bodies
- October 30, 2023
- Posted by: Admin
- Category: Diaspora Health Health tips National Health Daily News update
Prominent pharmacists in Nigeria have criticized the federal government’s decision to halt funding to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and other professional bodies by 2024. They argue that this move would be illegal and detrimental to the public interest.
These experts include former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, Chairman of the Board of Fellows of PSN Pharm. (Dr) Joel Adagadzu, public health expert Pharm. (Dr) Kingsley Chiedu Amibor, and former Chairman of the Committee of Heads of Pharmacy in Federal Health Institutions (COMHPFI) Pharm. (Dr) Daniel Orumwense.
The pharmacists acknowledge that the proposal to cease government funding is similar to practices in advanced countries but argue that it may not be suitable for Nigeria’s current socio-economic situation. They emphasize the need for an exception in the case of the PCN due to its critical and sensitive roles in the regulation and control of pharmaceutical premises.
Pharm. Akintayo points out that the PCN’s mandate extends beyond regulating pharmacists to regulating various pharmaceutical activities, including manufacturing, distribution, and hospital drug dispensing. He asserts that the sensitivity of these functions makes it crucial for drug matters to be under central or federal control. He also highlights the PCN Act of 2022, which compels the federal government to provide budgetary and extra-budgetary allocations to the PCN, making it unlawful to stop these allocations.
Dr. Adagadzu criticizes the decision as a product of inadequate thinking, and he anticipates a reversal or a better solution. He suggests that discontinuing government allocations to professional bodies could place additional financial burdens on pharmacists and patients.
Dr. Amibor appeals to the government to reconsider its decision, stressing that it could hinder the PCN’s regulatory role. He advises the government to focus on providing an enabling environment for local pharmaceutical manufacturers, addressing issues such as security and infrastructure.
Dr. Orumwense argues that a neutral body like the federal government should continue to operate the PCN, maintaining fairness in regulating the profession. He believes that both the PSN and PCN operate as rivals, and handing over the PCN to the PSN may jeopardize public health by affecting medication costs.