PHARMACISTS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (PCN) BECOMES ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria once again achievd a milestone by attaining the ISO 9001:2015 Certification. This achievement is a result of series of trainings, workshops and assessment undergone by PCN management and staff, with the support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through United States Pharmacopeia (USP)/Promoting Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+), duly certfified by NECA’s Global Certification Limited.

The public presentation of the certificate, which held yesterday, Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja was a joyous occasion and a great achievement for the Council. The ISO 9001:2015 is the International standard that specifies the requirements for a quality management system.

Dignitaries at the event include: Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire, ably represented by Pharm. (Mrs) Olubunmi Aribeana, Director, Food and Drug Services, FMoH; USAID Misson Director, Dr. Anne Patterson; Senior Vice President,  Global Public Health,  US Pharmacopeia (USP), Emily Kaine; Senior Director,  Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM+), Kwasi Poku Boateng; Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. (Dr) Yusuf Tanko Sununu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Yahaya Oloriegbe, represented by Barr. Hafsat Abdulraheem; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Cyril O. Usifoh; DG, NIPRD, Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe; DG, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Mrs. Adenike Adegbenro; Mrs. Adenike Ajala, representing Mrs. Celine Oni, CEO, NECA’s Global Ltd.; Pharm. Kenechukwu, representing Society for Family Health, PCN Management Staff and Quality Team, and many others, who all congratulated and commended PCN on the ISO Certification.

The Honourable Minister of Health,  Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire, who was ably represented by Pharm. (Mrs) Olubunmi Aribeana, Director,  Food and Drug Services,  FMoH, congratulated the Council on this great feat, and stated that “the Federal Ministry of Health recognises that the attainment of ISO 9001:2015 by PCN is a major achievement for the Nigerian health sector, as it will enable PCN to improve on its robust regulatory system, encourage dynamism, reproducibility of its processes and procedures, while ensuring that it is at par with other pharmacy regulatory authorities across the globe.”

The Registrar, PCN, Dr. N. A. E. Mohammed, at the occasion, stated that “the PCN, over the years, has made tremendous effort to consistently improve on its regulatory functions for attainment of global best practices in pharmaceutical regulations…. PCN has integrated its processes and procedures to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 standard in order to ensure that it delivers its mandate in a sustainable manner.”

USAID Misson Director, Dr. Anne Patterson in her goodwill message, stated that “this achievement will improve the quality of Nigeria’s health system and save the lives of millions of Nigerians”. She assured the Council of continued partnership towards improving the quality of public health.

Senior Vice President, Global Public Health, USP, Emily M. Kaine, congratulated PCN and stated that the attainment of ISO Certification is an important step of PCN and NAFDAC towards attining Maturity Level 3, which is amrker of regulatory maturity. Observing the fact that PCN plays a a vital role in the health of Nigerians, she added that this will improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.

To conclude the occasion, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Pharm. I. B. Ahmed expressed his gratitude to all and also reassured that PCN will continue to tender the best of services that meet customer requirements and ensure satisfaction.

The Council appreciates the Honourable Minister of Health for his continuous stewardship; NECA’s Global Certification Ltd. for successfully auditing PCN; USAID/Nigeria and USP/PQM+ for their support and partnership; the PCN Governing Council; the PCN Quality Team; Management and Staff of the Council for their commitment and hardwork.

Below are pictorial highlights of the event.