From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The newly elected Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara State Branch, Pharm. Munirat Bello, has described Nigeria’s drug distribution system as a national emergency, calling for urgent measures to strengthen regulation and protect citizens from drug abuse and unsafe medication.
Bello, the first female pharmacist to lead the PSN in Kwara State, made the call in an interview with journalists in Ilorin while outlining her priorities and the challenges confronting pharmaceutical practice in the country.
She said the effective implementation of existing national guidelines on medicine distribution was critical to ensuring that drugs reached Nigerians through licensed and regulated channels.
“We have a very serious, chaotic drug distribution in Nigeria. In fact, I will call it a national emergency,” Bello said.
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According to her, the widespread availability of medicines through unlicensed outlets exposes Nigerians to inappropriate medication, drug abuse and potentially harmful treatment.
She said her administration would work with relevant government agencies, including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to strengthen regulation and improve standards within the pharmaceutical sector.
Bello also called for stronger cooperation between professional bodies and law enforcement agencies in tackling drug abuse, particularly through closer collaboration between the PSN and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“We are looking to strengthen our collaboration to provide access to the recovery team. We need to tackle it from the root, and that is where the drug distribution guidelines come in,” she said.
The PSN chairman urged Nigerians to patronise licensed pharmacies rather than open markets and unregistered drug outlets, stressing that pharmacists have a key role to play in ensuring that medicines are used safely and appropriately.
She said public education would be a major component of her administration, with increased media engagements planned to educate Nigerians on medication safety, rational drug use and the dangers associated with drug abuse.
Bello also advocated improved working relationships between pharmacists and medical doctors, saying professional rivalry should not be allowed to undermine effective patient care.
She explained that while doctors are primarily responsible for diagnosis, pharmacists have professional responsibilities in reviewing prescriptions, dispensing medicines and counselling patients on their proper use.
On the wider challenge of drug abuse, Bello said the problem could not be tackled by government agencies alone, noting that families, schools, religious institutions and other stakeholders must be involved.
She called for sustained public awareness, effective regulation and stronger enforcement as part of efforts to reduce the misuse of medicines and other drugs in the country.
On the welfare of pharmacists, the PSN chairman said her administration would prioritise the professional well-being of members working in hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical industries, academia and medicine distribution.
She said improving the working environment and welfare of pharmacists would enhance their ability to contribute effectively to healthcare delivery.
“Every pharmacist is well supported in terms of their welfare so that they can excel in delivering their best in their place of work. By extension, that will now translate to better healthcare for the people,” Bello said.
