Update from the Registry – December 01, 2020

Dear Colleagues

 UPDATE FROM THE REGISTRY

On behalf of the staff and management of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, I welcome you all to the last month in the year 2020, the month of festivity and reflection on all activities undertaken since the beginning of the year. There has been successes recorded and also challenges experienced, but all our hardwork and

positive efforts have surely yielded good results which we are proud of and expected greater outcome in the nearest future.

As the celebrations begin, I implore you to stay safe and maintain good and hygienic practices for the good of all, in view of the Corona Virus pandemic that is still at various levels of threat around the world.  Pharmacists and pharmaceutical premises yet to register should ensure that they do so before the end of year 2020 as the Registration and Licensing department of the Registry is still ensuring that all applications received are processed before the end of the year.

Pre-Registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP) was held on November 7, 2020. One thousand one hundred and seventy seven (1,177) candidates sat for the examination across nine (9) centres with 98 percent pass. The result for the examination has been released and candidates who wish to check their result can do so using the link https://www.pcn.gov.ng/october-2020-pep-final-examination-result/.

Furthermore, the onsite component of the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP) commenced on November 23, 2020 across six (6) assigned Universities with one in each geopolitical zone in the country.  The programme is expected to end by December 12, 2020.

The PCN paid an Advisory Visit to the Bingham University, Karu, Nassarawa State on November 25 – 27, 2020, for the establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy in the University.  When accredited, it will be the 23^rd Faculty of Pharmacy in Nigeria with Bauchi State University, Bauchi; University of Calabar, Calabar and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State awaiting accreditation.

The Enforcement exercise of the PCN is a continuous endeavour for the sanitization of the pharmaceutical landscape in the country. On this note, the National Enforcement Team of the PCN visited Ekiti State in the month of November for enforcement activities.  During the exercise, 12 Pharmacies and 254 Patent Medicine Shops (PMS) were sealed for lack of compliance with PCN regulatory provisions, while 8 compliance directives were issued to others for other minor offences.

The Council successfully held its 41^st Governing Council Meeting on November 19, 2020. Many far reaching decisions which would optimize the performance of PCN activities were made for implementation by the Registry.  It gladdens my heart that the PSN representatives attended and they were heartily welcomed by the Chairman of Council.  Furthermore, the Chairman of the PCN-Governing Council held a Press Conference at the PCN Headquarter, Abuja which highlighted some of the Council’s decisions intended to positively impact on the health of Nigerians.

In the month of November 2020, PCN management staff had a Capacity Building workshop to assess the Council’s holistic resources for optimum performance.  The workshop was sponsored by FCDO – Lafiya Project, many thanks to them.  FCDO stands for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the UK Government.

The PCN official website – www.pcn.gov.ng – is now up and running, more functional with current and updated information for our esteemed stakeholders.  Pharmacists and other stakeholders are advised to visit it for information update.  Many thanks to Integrat-E Project for assisting PCN in the upgrading.

As the year 2020 winds down, I would like to seize this opportunity to appreciate the cooperation, contributions and goodwill of esteemed Nigerian Pharmacists which in no small measure contributed to the success recorded by PCN in this current year and in the years past.

While I wish all Christian Pharmacists a Merry Christmas in advance, I wish all of us a prosperous and blessed New Year as we interact again in 2021.

I SHALL SEE YOU ALL IN GOOD HEALTH, COME 2021.

 Pharm Elijah Mohammed, PhD, FPSN, FNIM, FPCPharm, FNAPharm

Registrar