Ohuabunwa Rolls Out 7-Point Agenda Ahead Of Inauguration As PSN President
L-R: Chairman, Inauguration Committee, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria/Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, SKG Pharma, Dr Okey Akpa; President, PSN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; and National Secretary, PSN, Chief Emeka Duru, during a press conference on the presidential inauguration of Ohuabunwa as the 20th president of PSN in Lagos… on Tuesday
Pharm Sam Ohuabunwa, the new president of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has unveiled a seven-point agenda targeted at improving healthcare in the country during his three year administration.
Announcing this during a press briefing heralding his inauguration as president and fellowship investiture of some members of the society in Lagos, Tuesday, Ohuabunwa said he would provide a framework for improved health care outcome in the country’s health facilities.
The PSN boss also said that he will ensure the proper integration of pharmaceutical care in all aspects of pharmaceutical services in the country.
He also said that he will facilitate the smooth take off of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) to ensure a well-ordered drug distribution system in the country and reduce the levels of adulterated and fake drugs in the market.
Also part of his seven point agenda, the new PSN President said he is going to promote equity and fair play, team work and proper remuneration of Pharmacists in the Public and Private Sectors.
He further said that he will advocate for the signing into law of the Pharmacy Law which will strengthen all aspects of Pharmacy services.
Lamenting that pharmacy graduates are undergoing serious difficulties in getting internship placement, Ohuabunwa said his administration would address this gap to ease internship placement for new pharmacy graduates.
Reasoning that the country would gain tremendously by boosting local drug production, the PSN President said his administration would support local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and active ingredients which would lead to achieving medicines security.
He said: “We can all agree that our country will fare better if we take control of drugs and medicines as it is done in civilized climes of the world.
“The carefree attitudes with which drugs have been handled have resulted in the hydra headed monster of drugs and substance abuse, and we are struggling today to take control.
“If nothing drastic is done, our security indices, which presently in frightening may worsen and the entire security fabric of our nation may collapse.”
On his part, Pharm. Okey Akpa, the Chairman of the inauguration and investiture Committee, said that to achieve medicine security and national sufficiency; it is critical to provide incentives for the pharmaceutical manufacturers.
He further canvassed for an integrative multi-stakeholder engagement approach to be adopted, to ensure that the strategic objectives are achieved.
According to Akpa, many dignitaries would grace the inauguration and investiture in the person of Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi, a Pharmacist and legal practitioner, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, the vice president, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state and the vice presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party(PDP).
Others are Prof Anya Anya, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, who would be the Host Governor, while Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health is expected as the Minister of Health.
