September 26, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
Lagos State pharmacists are urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to establish a Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) to combat the issue of fake drugs in the state.
This move is aimed at sanitizing the drug distribution channels in Lagos, following the successful implementation of a similar centre in Kano State.
The pharmacists, represented by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, believe that a CWC in Lagos would greatly reduce drug abuse and the sale of counterfeit and expired medications.
Speaking at an event in Lagos on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, to commemorate the 2024 World Pharmacists Day, themed “Pharmacists: Meeting Global Health Needs” The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of PSN, Babayemi Oyekunle, said the establishment of wholesale centre would help regulate drug distribution in the state.
“This centre would serve as a centralized hub for wholesale drug distribution, ensuring that medications are genuine and safely stored” Oyekunle stated.
He said, “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 added, “Establishing this centre is crucial, as Lagos State has the highest population in Nigeria. Lagos 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.
“It is noteworthy that all other six southwestern states have finalised the implementation of the Consultant Pharmacists Cadre, with Lagos State embarrassingly the only state where prevarication still prevails.
“Other demands, particularly the immediate implementation of the circular on the new entry point and other allowances for holders of Pharm.D, have become imperative. PSN Lagos State once again advises the Lagos State Government to expedite action on these and other outstanding agreements to avoid the seemingly inevitable labour unrest that may affect its health sector,” he said.
