Pharmacists under the aegis of the Society for Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing of Nigeria have urged the Federal Government to implement policies that would promote and ensure drug availability and security in the country.
The call by the pharmacists came ahead of the society’s forthcoming induction ceremony and Fellows Investiture, scheduled for Thursday in Lagos, which the pharmacists described as a significant milestone for them.
President of the society, Tunde Oyeniran, in a statement, said the government should prioritise drug security by adopting policies that would provide an enabling business environment for indigenous manufacturing of raw materials for the local production of medicines.
He noted that the country’s pharma industry is faced with enormous challenges, ranging from inadequate infrastructure, low capacity, less funding and patronage from the government and donor agencies, as well as a high cost of production and an unfriendly environment.
Oyeniran said while the primary role of pharmaceutical sales and marketing professionals is promoting products and increasing sales, they also play a crucial role in helping to ensure national drug security by ensuring the availability of safe medications for citizens.
According to him, pharmacists marketing medicines play a role in improving healthcare professionals’ knowledge of drugs and thus helping to minimise medication errors, while promoting safer drug practices.
“They are also responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines which helps prevent illegal activities and unethical marketing practices that could compromise drug security.
“They serve as a link between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals as such can collect valuable information about adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and report these incidents to the appropriate channels to enhance drug safety and security.
“They are at the forefront of communicating new safety information about their products as they emerge. This, they communicate to healthcare professionals and consumers ensuring they are well informed about potential risks,” he said.
