NAPHARM: Pharmacists Should Go Beyond Local Production, Provide Drug Security
According to the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM), Nigerian pharmacists should think big and widen the scope of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, emphasising the crucial role the sector plays in guaranteeing drug and health security across Africa.
The charge was given as NAPHARM inaugurated 14 new fellows for their contributions to pharmaceutical sciences and stressed the importance of members actively participating in drug research and traditional medicine.
NAPHARM further called for concerted efforts to boost the export of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical products.
The induction ceremony at Prof. J. F. Ade-Ajayi’s Hall, University of Lagos, highlights Nigeria’s dedication to advancing pharmaceutical research and development and promoting a sustainable healthcare system.
Speaking, Clare Omatseye, guest speaker, Founder, and Managing Director of JNC International Limited (JNCI) on the theme: “The Nigeria Economy and the Future of the Pharmaceutical Ecosystem,” at the ninth investiture of new fellows.
Omatseye said that Nigeria and Africa need to have sustainable healthcare systems that can meet the population’s needs.
She called for increased investment in pharmaceutical research and development, as well as the development of a strong pharmaceutical industry.
Omatseye underscored the importance of thinking big and not limiting Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry to domestic consumption. She emphasised the role pharmacists must play in ensuring drug and health security on the continent.
Contributing, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, President of NAPHARM, urged pharmacists to be more strategically and intentionally involved in the field of drug discovery and traditional medicine.
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Adelusi-Adeluyi said that there is still much work to be done in the field of non-communicable diseases and that pharmacists can play a major role in developing new treatments.
He noted that the new fellows selected from all the different practice areas of pharmacy to reflect the diverse pharmacy practice borne out of the rigorous and multidimensional training they undergo to become professionals.
Adelusi-Adeluyi said, “The evolving field of drug discovery calls for pharmacists to be more strategically and intentionally involved to contribute to the world of pharmaceutical and scientific research as there are still many grounds to conquer regarding non-communicable diseases especially.
“The aspect of traditional medicine taught in schools of pharmacies should be leveraged to contribute not only to the GDP of the country but to promote our skills and indigenous knowledge. In traditional medicine Asian countries have successfully performed and have rescued the world. We know that as there are natural carcinogenic agents so will there be anti-cancer vegetable medicines.
“Funds should not be a hindrance as the academy is involved in strategic advocacy to attract the same from both government and non-government organisations.
“Training of the seven-star pharmacist as recommended by the Federation International Pharmaceutical (FIP) will ensure that Nigerian pharmacists continue to be attuned to contemporary global trends. The academy therefore is calling out the institutions of higher learning, FMoH, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, and NAFDAC to pursue the global posting of intern pharmacists since this is still a training position as all other professions require supervisory work after graduation.
“Mentoring sessions from college will be important in birthing the seven-star pharmacists as technology comes upstream in knowledge delivery, especially with artificial intelligence (AI).
“Nigeria needs all the FDI it can get at this time, not only to reflate the economy but also to avail our technology transfer. The recent decision of a giant pharmaceutical manufacturer, GSK to exit Nigeria, obviously bore out of several hydra-headed challenges bedevilling the manufacturing sector locally.”
