By Chioma Obinna

Drug experts have expressed worry over an impending scarcity of essential drugs if urgent steps are not taking to address the current lack of foreign exchange. The  experts under the auspices of National Association of Community Pharmacists, ACPN, warned that persistence of the problem may endanger the health of Nigerians.

At a press conference, in Lagos, National Chairman, ACPN, Dr. Albert, Alkali Kelong, posited that to prevent the looming danger, the Federal Government should provide adequate foreign exchange to critical sector to import essential raw materials necessary for drug productions, and intervention fund for the sector.

“There is a sharp drop in capacity utilisation of our existing manufacturing industries due to lack of foreign exchange to import materials. In view of this , we implore government as a matter of urgency to provide adequate foreign exchange to the critical sector so that they can bring in necessary raw materials.”

Announcing its forthcoming 35th National Conference billed to hold from 29th May through June 3rd, 2016, Kelong, said the situation if unchecked, would  lead to increase in price of drugs, low drug circulation as well as unemployment.

The conference which will hold at Nike Lake Resort Enugu, wuld be avenue to address issues and the challenges affecting the pharmacy profession.

The ACPN also urged the government to constitute the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, and appoint a pharmacist as NAFDAC Director General.

“Recent happenings in the field of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria indicates that two agencies need to do more. These can be measured by the numerous illegal pharmaceutical premises and patient medicine stores scattered all over the 36 states and FCT Abuja, and the unprecedented increase in the number of fake and substandard pharmaceutical products all over the country”, the group said.

The conference with theme, ‘Manpower Development in community pharmacy practice-Adopting Global Best Practice’, which will open with a walk against cancer, and  tackle various pharmacy issues.