From Our Correpondent
Awka, July 24, (TNZ) The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has laid the foundation of its Research and Drug Quality Assurance Centre in Anambra State.
TheNewsZenith reports that NAIP National Chairman, Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo, led the groundbreaking ceremony at the Coordinated Wholesale Pharmaceutical Market in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, earlier in the week.
Ezebuilo said NAIP represents local drug manufacturers, importers, and foreign pharmaceutical companies that supply medicines to hospitals and community pharmacies across Nigeria.
He described the new research centre as a critical step toward sanitising the wholesale drug market in Anambra State.
“Drugs should enter and exit the market as authentic and effective products.
“Unfortunately, some individuals exploit the system by adulterating these medicines. Such practice has led to a dangerous mix of genuine and fake drugs in circulation,” TheNewsZenith quotes Ezebuilo as saying.
To combat this, he announced that the new centre would include an analytical laboratory dedicated to drug testing.
“This facility will help ensure that only safe and authentic medications reach consumers.
“We have signed a partnership with the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA).
“They have pledged to supply the necessary lab equipment and provide training for pharmacists on its use,” he added.
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NAIP President noted that about 70 percent of medicines distributed across Nigeria originate from wholesale drug markets. This is an indication of the importance of the initiative.
“If we can curb drug adulteration at the wholesale level, we can significantly improve drug safety nationwide,” TheNewsZenith quotes him saying.
Ezebuilo explained that the centre would also have a cold chain storage facility, a pharmaceutical marketing data hub, and conference and training facilities.
These will serve medical sales representatives from the South-East and South-South regions.
He thanked Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for allocating land for the project in Anambra State, and for his continued support towards NAIP’s mission.
Dr Harrison Abone, Special Adviser to the Governor on Medical and Pharmaceutical Matters, also spoke at the event.
Abone remarked that the state government had directed the wholesale pharmaceutical market to begin full operations by November.
“We recognise the critical need for access to genuine medications, especially in this region.
“With the presence of NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) within the market, all activities will be thoroughly regulated and monitored,” TheNewsZenith quotes Abone as saying. (TNZ)
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