PHARMACISTS PROTEST NON SIGNING OF BILL BY PRESIDENT BUHARI

Pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria on Tuesday organized a peaceful protest in Asaba to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly and Nigerians to the need for the Pharmacy bill to be signed into law.

The peaceful protest, which also took place simultaneously across the country, was led in Asaba by the Zonal Coordinator, Pharmacist Orji, who said the National Assembly had passed the Pharmacy bill and was awaiting the President’s assent, even as he expressed fears that the bill was missing which prompted the protest.

He said fhe bill was designed to check drug abuse and sanitize the chaotic drug distribution system in the country and wondered why such an important bill that would promote health care delivery in the country was still hanging.

While stressing that Pharmacists were concerned about the increasing cases of drug abuse in the country and the resultant high rate of mental illness, particularly among the youth, Pharmacist Orji Chidebere insisted that the safety and health of patients was Paramount to them .

He said the shortcomings in the administration of drugs were properly addressed in the Pharmacy bill hence the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to give his assent to it without delay 

Others who spoke, including Pharmacists. Osaji Chinese, Lawrence Momah and Francis Edeheku, said the Pharmacy bill was key to delivering a better drug distribution system as it addressed prescription policy whereby drugs would only be sold based on prescription of medical doctors.

They expressed fears that there could be some powerful forces who benefit from the present chaotic drug distribution system in the country and were fighting to ensure that the Pharmacy bill did not see the light of the day.

They noted that the non signing of the Pharmacy bill could spell doom in the administration of drugs in the country, adding that the bill would revolutionise the nation’s healthcare system as drug abuse would be minimised or completely eradicated .

According to them, the Pharmacy bill would destroy the existence of the cartel on fake drugs as it would sanitise the distribution of drugs and improve the  health of  Nigerians   

During the protest all pharmacy shops in Asaba were closed between 12noon and 2pm.