Top pharmaceutical chieftains and eminent personalities, in the health sector will converge, this month, to discuss innovative strategies to accentuate the battle against substandard and adulterated drugs at a webinar.
The virtual conference, which is billed for Saturday, November 28, 2020, is tagged: ‘Intensifying the fight against fake drugs in Nigeria.’
Key speakers include Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mazi Ohuabunwa and his predecessor, Amb. Ahmed Yakasai.
The programme is being executed, under the aegis of the Coalition of Development Advocates and Health Journalists (CODAHJ) to promote social and economic reforms in society.
The advocacy group was established by Mrs Adeze Ojukwu, a Fellow of Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship and publisher of Devcomradar.org magazine, and Dr. Godwin Uwaoma, a public health physician and founder, Association for Peace and Development Initiative (APDI).
The awareness campaign, supported by NAFDAC and Safe Medicines Foundation, will be moderated by accomplished broadcaster, Soni Irabor, as well as Managing Director of Evans Baroque Pharmaceutical company, Mr. Onyeka Onyeibor.
‘The exercise is in line with our commitment towards improved access to basic amenities and health care for all citizens, crucial for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in Nigeria.’
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‘In our estimation, this webinar will contribute significantly towards the war against production and distribution of adulterated pharmaceutical products.’
‘Our health professionals and media arsenals are working, concertedly, with policy makers, regulatory authorities and industry players to promote more public interest about the dangers inherent in patronizing these substances, through this discourse,’ a statement from Mrs. Ojukwu said.
Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO), the statement noted that one in 10 medications sold in Africa is either fake or substandard, with a high prevalence in Nigeria.
It added: ‘Undoubtedly, the fake drug syndrome, can be tenaciously addressed, through a renewed media and mass sensitization campaign, to boost public awareness about current regulatory policies and enforcement efforts by NAFDAC and allied organizations.
‘This conference is therefore timely and strategically positioned for policy makers, pharmacists and health experts to address these numerous challenges and enunciate practical steps towards eradicating these unwholesome products.
‘For effective delivery of the outlined objectives of the summit, the coalition is collaborating with several online and mainstream media organizations to ensure adequate coverage and promotion of the recommendations.
‘The sensitization project targets the general public as well as chemists, dispensaries and health centers, particularly in rural areas.’
