Health Minister Scores Pharmacists Council of Nigeria High

The Minister of Health,Prof.C.O.Onyebuchi Chukwu has applauded the efforts of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria(PCN) and the State Directors of Pharmaceutical services.He gave the commendation in Abuja today at the interactive session between PharmacIsts Council of Nigeria and State Directors of Pharmaceutical Services of Nigeria.

He noted with satisfaction that the PCN and State Directors of Pharmaceutical Services are collaborating very well towards the attainment of the delivery of quality pharmaceutical services in Nigeria adding that the synergy has reinforced his conviction that the outcome of the meeting would further improve the activities of the state directors of Pharmaceutical services who are statutory members of the Governing Council of PCN.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs.Fatima Bamidele stressed that it is self-evident that pharmaceutical services are strategic towards achieving quality healthcare for our people adding that directors of Pharmaceutical Services are strategically positioned to ensure quality pharmaceutical services in the states.

He said: ‘’as you are all aware, we launched the Mega Drug Distribution Guidelines on February 07, 2013. On February 21,2013, I also inaugurated four (4) Committees, one of which was the Prescription Policy Committee for the country all aimed at ensuring provision of quality pharmaceutical services in the country’’.

While urging all the Directors of Pharmaceutical Services all over the Federation to utilize the opportunity provided by the meeting to chart a new course for the provision of quality and sustainable pharmaceutical services in the various states, he assured that the Federal Ministry of Health will continue to provide robust and effective policy direction towards achieving the provision of quality pharmaceutical services and delivery in the country.

In her remarks, the Acting Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. (Mrs.) Gloria O.Abumbere said that the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria has statutory mandate of regulating pharmacy profession in all its ramifications adding that the mandate is partly carried out through the inspection, approval, registration and  licensing of pharmaceutical premises such as Hospital pharmacies, Retail, Wholesale, Distribution and importation outfits as well as  pharmaceutical manufacturing companies.