Ethical Misconduct: PSN to Deal With Erring Members
By ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), in an effort to entrench the maintenance of high ethical practice, on Thursday, vowed to deal with any of its members who are found wanting in the discharge their responsibilities. and not abiding by oath of the profession which they swore to.
The chairperson of PSN in Kaduna State, Pharmacist Aisha Ishiaq made this known while addressing the media in Kaduna.
Pharmacist Ishiaq who spoke through the Public Relations Officer of PSN in Kaduna; Pharmacist Aminu Al-hassan Kuba said pharmacists, as part of the healthcare team has a responsibility to ensure that thorough professionals practice is sustained in order to save lives.
Speaking on the issue of Patent medicine drug dealers taking over the duty of pharmacists, he said PSN as a pressure group has been mounting pressure on the relevant regulatory agencies like; Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), to come out and perform their duty by ensuring that only those who are trained in drugs dispensation and administration are allowed to do that.
Pharmacist Kuba expressed dismay at the high cost of drugs in the country, blaming this on the high exchange rate.
“We’re all aware that 70 percent of drugs consumed by Nigerians are imported and with the high rate of exchange especially with dollars and pounds sterling, prices of drugs on the shelves have suddenly jumped; and many Nigerians are not able to purchase drugs that are prescribed for them to heal their ailment.
“The result of this is that many of our people because of the inability to purchase drugs may have to suffer in pains or even die. So, as professionals who are saddled with saving lives we call on the government to encourage local manufacturers to produce drugs in the country.
“On our own part, PSN will continue to train and retrain pharmacists especially the new entrants to the profession so that high standard is maintained. But there’s a limit because if you try to be a professional and your drugs is on the high side, patients would be tempted to go for fake and cheap drugs, so that’s where government have to do something urgently to check increasing price of drugs in the country,” he said.
