Update from the Registry – July 01, 2021

UPDATE FROM THE REGISTRY

On behalf of the management and staff of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), I welcome all practitioners in the Nigeria Pharmaceutical industry into the second half of this year 2021. While I acknowledge the economic realities of the times we find ourselves in, I would like to encourage you to remain upright and steadfast in all your dealings as Men of honor. I believe strongly that very soon; the economic tides shall turn for the better in our dear country.

At the Pharmacists Council, we are currently engaged in a strategic review of activities of the first half of the year. This will enable us reassess our priorities in the light of current realities so that we can better deliver premium services to all our clients.

In the month of June, 2021, ninety-nine (99) fresh Pharmacy graduates were inducted into the noble profession of Pharmacy. These 99 graduands comprises 9 from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State; 8 from University of Ilorin, Kwara State; 4 from Gombe State University, Gombe; 76 from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Ogun State; and 2 from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. Join me in congratulating the fresh graduands into our noble profession.

In the ongoing effort of the PCN to clampdown on the proliferation of illegal drug outfits in the country, the National Enforcement Team of the PCN visited Kebbi State in the month of June, 2021. During the exercise, a total of 305 illegal premises were sealed for lack of compliance with PCN regulatory provisions in their operations. This comprised of 20 Pharmacies and 285 Patent Medicine Shops. for lack of compliance with PCN regulatory provision in their operations. In addition, 7 compliance directives were issued to others for minor offences.

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in collaboration with West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) (Nigeria Chapter) organized Zonal Sensitization Workshops on the implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre within the healthcare system in Nigeria in the month of June, 2021 as a follow up to the maiden edition in May. The workshop for the Northern Zone (North West, North Central and North East) took place at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna on 21^st June, 2021, followed by the South West Zone at Welcome Centre, Lagos on 23^rd June, 2021 while  that of the  South East and South South  Zone took place at Hotel Sylva, Enugu on 25 June, 2021. The events recorded attendance from notable government functionaries (Federal and State Governments) and many personalities in the pharmaceutical industry. The Council therefore expresses appreciation to the resource persons and participants alike for the support, resourcefulness and commitment towards the achievement of effective implementation of Pharmacists Consultant Cadre in Nigeria.

In continuation of the implementation of the decisions of 41^st Governing Council meeting, the Halls at PCN North East and South East Zonal Offices were named after Dr. Philip O. Emafo, FPSN and Pharm Bruno Nwankwo, FPSN accordingly as past Chairmen. The ceremonies took place on June 17, 2021 (Bauchi) and June 24, 2021 (Enugu) respectively.

Also, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria in collaboration with PQM+ USP organized a one-week retreat for the PCN Quality Management Systems (QMS) team. The retreat was to build the capacity of PCN QMS team on CAPA management, Checklist and Assessment scoring, etc. The period was also used to review many PCN QMS documents towards achieving WHO GBT Certification and ISO 9001:2015 Certification. These efforts are aimed at improving service delivery.

As we enter the second half of this year, I trust God that the tide will turn for the better for us as individuals, businesses and as an industry in general. May God reward our good efforts!

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

Registrar