The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has pledged to partner with the Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (APPMED) to ensure safe access to medicine in Nigeria.
The partnership was announced during a weekend visit by the Association’s President, Comrade Steven Otubo, who led his team to the PCN headquarters in Abuja.
Registrar of the Council, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, commended the Association’s commitment to safe access to medicine and pledged to work with them in their programs.
“By representing the government, we are only doing what the constitution has put on the shoulders of the government which is ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens of this country. What you do sits very well in that particular space; providing medicines.
“We will work with you in our programmes. I am sure you are in touch with our head of legal. Let us know how your association is presently structured. So that we can bring you on board for our various programmes. Feel free to reach out to us any time. Very importantly, we should be faithful to this country. Be rest assured of our support, with the anticipation that you also will be doing the right thing all the time,” he said.
Also speaking, the council’s Director of Human Resources, Mr Ben Aja, urged the Association to ensure that its members do not operate in unregistered shops like containers which could affect the quality of the drugs.
“So please live by that tenet and comply with the tenet of the law,” he told them.
Earlier, while stating the reason for their visit, the secretary of the Association, Solomon Okpala disclosed that they wanted to register their existence to the Council while pledging their support in the fight against illegal drugs.
“We pledged that our members shall align with the government policy in fighting illegal drugs that have been misused and capable of causing harm to the public. Our members must register their shops and licence by PCN and also must always sell drugs that are approved by the government. We shall collaborate all the time with PCN,” he said.
While commending the Council’s fight against fake drugs, the Association pleaded with PCN to consider the group in all engagements that will empower and develop their members by recommending them to stakeholders, development partners and NGOs.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Association’s certificate of incorporation to the registrar.
