REGISTRAR’S MAY 2022 UPDATE FROM THE REGISTRY

REGISTRAR’S APRIL 2022 UPDATE FROM THE REGISTRY

Dear Colleagues

REGISTRAR’S MAY 2022 UPDATE FROM THE REGISTRY

On behalf of all of us from the PCN Registry, I wish to appreciate all the diligent and hardworking stakeholders in the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry on the occasion of this year’s workers day. As we strive on daily basis to provide premium pharmaceutical services to the Nigerian populace, I pray we would all not labour in vain. Indeed, the month of April was a very eventful one at the Registry and I want to commend all the stakeholders and the Registry staff for their commitment to duty which led to the various successes achieved within the month of April, 2022.

I am glad to announce that for the first time, the publication of the register of Registered Pharmacy Technicians in Nigeria, as well as the publication of Pharmacy Technicians with Annual Permit, as at December 31, 2021, has been produced. These publications can be  obtained at the PCN Zonal and State Offices nationwide. These efforts are in tandem with the requirements of the PCN Act Cap P17 LFN 2004.

With the commencement of registration of Online Pharmacy Practice by the PCN, stakeholders are to note that the Online Pharmacy Regulation allows an existing premises to go online using the same Superintendent Pharmacist.

In the month of April 2022, 112 fresh Pharmacy Graduates were inducted into the Pharmacy profession from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State and Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State. Join me in congratulating and welcoming these Pharmacists into our noble profession.

Accreditation  Visit was paid to Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State between April 26 – 29, 2022.

The result of the First Cycle Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP)  conducted in March 2022 has been approved and released. This result can be accessed through the PCN website (www.pcn.gov.ng).

Furthermore, the First Cycle Foreign Pharmacists Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP) has commenced at Kaduna State University, Kaduna State (North) and University of Lagos, Lagos State (South) on April 25, 2022. The program will be concluded on June 5, 2022.

In continuation of our desire to sanitise the drug distribution channel within the pharmaceutical landscape through tackling the proliferation of illegal drug outlets, the PCN National Enforcement Team visited Taraba and Benue States respectively in the month of April 2022 during which a total of 686 pharmaceutical outlets were sealed. Whereas in Taraba State; 34 Pharmacies and 344 Patent Medicine Shops were sealed, in Benue State, 56 Pharmacies and 252 Patent Medicine Shops were sealed.

Furthermore, 33 Compliance directives were issued for various minor offences during the exercises. This included 24 issued in Taraba State while 9 were issued in Benue State.

In a bid to strengthen the regulation of Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors (PPMVs), the PCN convened a meeting of highly experienced stakeholders in the month of April, to review the Training Manual for the Continuous Education Programme (CEP) of the PPMV licence holders. 

The PCN Governing Council at its Special Meeting held on Thursday, April 07, 2022 at PCN Head Office/Registry, Idu, Abuja, approved the appointment of Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, FPSN, FPCPharm as the new Registrar, PCN to succeed the incumbent Registrar, Dr. N. A. E. Mohammed, FPSN, FNIM, FPCPharm, FNAPharm at the expiration of his tenure on June 11, 2022.  The process of the appointment of the incoming Registrar followed all the laid down processes and procedures as contained in the PCN Act Cap P17 LFN 2004.

The public presentation of the ISO 9001:2015 Certificaton on Quality Management Systems (QMS) to the PCN by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on April 21, 2022. The Certificate was presented to the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire, MD, FWACS ably represented by the Director, Food and Drug Services Department, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).

The Public Presentation was graced with the presence of dignitaries such as: Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire, ably represented by Pharm. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Aribeana, Director, Food and Drug Services, FMoH; USAID Mission 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 and Staff.

The Council appreciates the Federal Government of Nigeria, Honourable Minister of Health, USAID/Nigeria, United States Pharmacopiea (USP)/ Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM+), NECA’s Global Certification Ltd., PCN Governing Council, PCN Quality Team, Management and Staff of the Council for the support, partnership, cooperation, commitment and hardwork towards the attainment of the ISO:9001 Certification by PCN. 

To this end, I implore all Pharmacists and all other stakeholders to keep up the good work towards ensuring the delivery of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable healthcare delivery to the Nigerian populace. 

I wish to felicitate with all our Muslim faithful on the event of the celebration of Eld-el-Fitr to commemorate the end of the 30 days Ramadan fast.  As I wish all peaceful and happy celebration, it is my prayer that the lessons of Ramadan will continue to abide with you all. Amen.

Pharm. N. A. E. Mohammed, Ph.D, FPSN, FNIM, FPCPharm, FNAPharm

Registrar