PSN Warns over Proliferation of Medicines Outlets Exposing Nigerians to Drug AbuseHammed Shittu in Ilorin 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara State Branch, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s drug distribution system.

The society therefore warned that the proliferation of medicines through unlicensed outlets is exposing Nigerians to drug abuse, irrational medication use and substandard products.

The newly elected chairman of the association in the state, Mrs. Munirat Kikelomo Bello, made the call in Ilorin while outlining her priorities and concerns over the state of pharmaceutical practice in the country.

Bello, the first female pharmacist to lead the PSN in the State, described the country’s drug distribution network as a major challenge requiring decisive action by the federal government and relevant regulatory agencies.

“We have a very serious, chaotic drug distribution in Nigeria. In fact, I will call it a national emergency,” she said.

She urged the government to ensure effective implementation of existing national guidelines on drug distribution, stressing that medicines should reach Nigerians through regulated and legitimate channels.

According to her, unrestricted access to medicines through unlicensed outlets increases the risk of inappropriate medication, drug abuse and unsafe treatment.

Bello said her administration would work with relevant stakeholders, 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 compliance within the pharmaceutical sector.

She also called for closer collaboration between the PSN and enforcement agencies in tackling drug abuse, particularly through stronger partnership with 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 advised Nigerians to obtain medicines from licensed pharmacies rather than open markets and unregistered drug outlets.

She said pharmacists had a critical role to play in ensuring that medicines were properly prescribed, dispensed and used, adding that her administration would intensify public education on medication safety, rational drug use and the dangers of drug abuse.

Bello further advocated stronger professional collaboration between pharmacists and medical doctors, saying disagreements among healthcare professionals should not be allowed to undermine patient care.

“The objective of everyone in the healthcare sector is the patient,” she said.

She explained that while doctors were responsible for diagnosis, pharmacists had a professional duty to review prescriptions, dispense medicines appropriately and counsel patients on their safe and effective use.

Bello also said the fight against drug abuse must go beyond enforcement, noting that government institutions, families, schools, religious organisations and other stakeholders had important roles to play.

She called for sustained public awareness, effective regulation and stronger enforcement to reduce the misuse of medicines and other drugs across the country.

On the welfare of pharmacists, Bello said her administration would prioritise the professional well-being of members working in hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical industries, academia and medicine distribution.

She maintained that improving the working environment and welfare of pharmacists would have a direct impact on 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,” she said.