Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Nasarawa state chapter, has advised
Nigerians to avoid self-medication and seek medical examination before
taking drugs.
Mr Agada Vincent-Agada, the state chairman of the association, gave
the advice on Saturday in Keffi at an event to mark the 2016 World
Pharmacists Day with the theme, “Pharmacists care for you.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Pharmacists Day
is held on Sept 25 each year to create public awareness and engage in
activities that promote and consolidate the profession’s role in the
society
Vincent-Agada said that the call had become imperative considering the negative effects of self-medication on human health and to societal development.
He said: “the role of the pharmacists in the society cannot be over emphasised.
“Right from the points of manufacturing, handling to administration
of medicine to the last point, needed to be handled by trained
professionals in the pharmaceutical industry.
“That is why as key players in the health sector, there is the need
for us to create awareness on the need for Nigerians to avoid
self-medication and seek medical examination before taking drugs.
“We condemn the attitude of those who cultivate the habit of taking drugs indiscriminately without medical examination.’’
Vincent-Agada called on Nasarawa state government to establish
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the state-owned University, Keffi
to bridge the gap in accessing good and quality healthcare services in
the state.
Also speaking, Dr Luka Samuel, Head, Clinical Unit, Federal Medical
Centre, Keffi, called on pharmacists to adhere strictly to the ethics of
their profession.
He urged them to be of good behaviour at all the time in order to improve on the health status of patients.
Earlier, Dr Luka Samuel, Director and Head of department
Pharmaceutical service, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, said that the
role of the pharmacist in the society is indispensable.
He called on policy makers and other stakeholders in the health
sector to formulate policies that would ensure effective healthcare
service for the people.
