By Sunny A. David, Awka
Government at all levels has been urged to expand employment opportunities and build more infrastructural facilities to boost socioeconomic life of the people.
Speaking at the 26th Annual Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter in Awka, Mr. Okoronkwo also called for establishment of more schools to reduce illiteracy as well as measures to control drug distribution and abuse.
Mr. Okoronkwo described chaotic distribution, misuse and abuse of drugs as social problems that require holistic approach by the government to tackle.
He explained that Nigeria deserved appropriate channel of drug distribution by engaging qualified professionals.
According to him, various agencies of government like the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, Customs and Immigration are necessary in order to effectively tackle the challenges of drug distribution.
Anambra State Commissioner for Health Dr Josephat Akabuike represented by the Executive Secretary State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Simon Onyemaec, warned individuals who are not professionally trained but prescribe drugs for patients to desist from such.
In their separate speeches the chairman on the occasion, Prince Chijioke Ofomata and the traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alex Uzo-Onyido, noted that unregulated drug distribution is the source of fake drugs.
While advising Pharmacists to adhere to laid down rules, they called on federal government to implement National Drug Distribution Guidelines, to save the country from chaotic drug distribution.
Earlier in an address, the State Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr Patrick Obi and the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mrs. Ndidi Chukwujekwu called for more collaboration among members of the healthcare providers for overall interest of the patients.
The conference which has its theme as “Drug Distribution, Misuse and Abuse; The Challenges and the way forward”, was attended by the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu, other traditional rulers, government functionaries, Pharmacists and students.