Pharmacists Call On Sanwo-Olu To Establish Coordinated Wholesale Center To Combat Counterfeit Drugs

Pharmacists Call On Sanwo-Olu To Establish Coordinated Wholesale Center To Combat Counterfeit Drugs

In an effort to improve drug distribution channels in Lagos State, pharmacists are urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to establish a Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), similar to the one set up in Kano State, to combat the prevalence of counterfeit medications……CONTINUE READING

Represented by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State chapter, the pharmacists argue that a CWC in Lagos would help address issues of drug abuse and the sale of counterfeit and expired drugs. Speaking at an event on Wednesday to commemorate the 2024 World Pharmacists Day, themed “Pharmacists: Meeting Global Health Needs,” they emphasized the necessity of such a center in the state. The event, held annually on September 25, recognizes the essential role pharmacists play in promoting healthier communities globally.

Babayemi Oyekunle, Chairman of the Lagos State PSN, highlighted that a centralized wholesale center would enhance drug distribution regulation and ensure traceability. “It is long overdue for Lagos State to have a Coordinated Wholesale Centre, just as Kano State now has. This will enable us to trace every drug that enters the state, eliminating the sale of adulterated, substandard, and fake drugs, as we will be able to identify the sources of all medications consumed by the citizens of Lagos,” he stated.

Oyekunle emphasized the importance of establishing this center, noting that Lagos has the highest population in Nigeria and should adopt global best practices. “Worldwide, people can trace the sources of their drugs, but currently, in Lagos, we cannot trace the origins of our medications,” he added.

In addition, Oyekunle urged the Lagos State Government to implement circulars related to the consultancy cadre for pharmacists. He pointed out that all other six southwestern states have successfully finalized this implementation, leaving Lagos as the only state still lacking progress. He also called for the immediate adoption of policies regarding the new entry point and allowances for Pharm.D holders, warning that failure to act could lead to labor unrest affecting the health sector.

Echoing these sentiments, Tolulope Ajayi, Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, stressed the importance of patient care in healthcare delivery and advocated for a comprehensive approach. He urged the government to show the political will necessary to establish a CWC to regulate drug distribution effectively. “If we do not have a Coordinated Wholesale Centre, falsified drugs will continue to infiltrate our system unchecked,” Ajayi warned, citing the lack of such centers as a significant factor in the rise of illegal medicine stores in the country.