Nigerian Pharmacists Tasked with Developing Indigenous Medicines
Experts have told the Nigerian Pharmacists on the need to rejuvenate the locally made drugs, to enable easy access and affordable medical products, rather than relying on imported drugs.
They argued that locally made drugs will be more beneficial to Nigerians, urging that pharmacists should up their games by doing more research and utilizing the resources they have.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Pharm. Otunba Adewale Adenugba at the Pharmacy Week 2024 held in Abeokuta highlights the roles of pharmacists in the healthcare delivery system.
He noted that pharmacists must ensure that patients receive safe, effective, and quality medications, thereby continuous learning and adaptation to new knowledge is pivotal.
The theme of the event is “Capacity Building and Professional Development: Strengthening the Pharmacy Workforce for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria”.
In the same development, the Olu of Ilawo, Oba MacGregor also encouraged Nigerian pharmacists to do more research that will launch their brand Into the global world.
He noted that 70% of drugs used in Nigeria are imported, stating that what is happening now has happened in other countries China and Korea, but they look inward and develop their local capacity, adi g that manufacturing is universal.
MacGregor urged Nigerian pharmacists to switch from the mentality of depending on what other people have manufactured, rather they should do more Indigenous research to create products that are suitable for Nigerians.
He noted that most of the drugs imported are not working for Nigerians because it was developed in other countries, due to pharmacogenetics influence.
Also speaking, the Wife of the Ogun State Gov. Mrs Bamidele Abiodun stated solution to the issue of medication accessibility is the rejuvenation of our local pharmaceutical industry.
She noted that Locally manufactured medicinal products would not only be more accessible but also more affordable compared to imported drugs.
“By supporting and investing in local pharmaceutical production, we can ensure that essential medications are available to those who need them most, thereby improving health outcomes across the state and the country”.
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