Pharmacists Demand Definitive Law on Roles of NAFDAC, PSN in Drug Matters

Pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) have called for a clear-cut definition of the roles of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the control and regulation of drug marketing and distribution in the country.

ACPN contended that lawful delineation of statutory roles of the principal agencies in Pharmacy practice to avoid conflict of interest, as well as create the desired harmony in the pharmaceutical sector.

This latest position by the ACPN is coming on the heels of a recent controversy over a directive by NAFDAC to operators in sealed drug markets in Lagos, Aba and Onitsha to register with the agency for ‘national database.

The National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Eze Ambrose Igwekamma, had argued that the action was an attempt by NAFDAC to usurp the constitutional powers of PSN.

This is one of the highlights of the communiqué issued at the end of the 44th Annual International Scientific Conference of the ACPN, held in Awka, Anambra State recently.

In the document, the association insisted that while the “PCN takes charge of the inspection and registration of all carders of Pharmacy facilities from the retail end through distribution and manufacturing/importation, NAFDAC must continue to place its premium on the safety margin in terms of the quality of food, drugs, medical devices, water and other health commodities.

“Conference called for more collaborations between PCN and NAFDAC to ensure that the challenges of the relocation of Open Drug Markets (ODMs) to Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) become seamless in the public interest.”  

The pharmacists called on the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and state governments to step up efforts to create an enabling environment for good and endurable drug distribution practice, to promote the new investments in the pharma sector.

ACPN emphasised on the need for its members to adhere to the regulatory landscape as a key compliance requirement. This, it explained, must involve awareness and adherence to regulatory guidelines by Community Pharmacists (CPs) who must stay updated with the latest regulations from PCN, NAFDAC, NDLEA and other related agencies.

ACPN called on CPs to maintain up-to-date licensure and other documentation requirements.

The communique advised the National Assembly against passing the controversial National Health Facilities Regulatory Authority (NHFRA) Bill into law as “it is yet another statutory attempt to impose physician domination by placing non-physician health workers and their practice, contrary to global best practice.”