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- 15% of the FHls, 10 states complied
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has lamented the flagrant disregard to the directive of the Head of Service of the Federation (HSoF) for Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FTHIs), as well as States-owned health institutions to implement the Consultant cadre circular for Pharmacists in Nigeria.
Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, registered the concerns at his inauguration as the PSN President and the investiture of new Fellows of the PSN in Abuja, at the weekend.
He said it has become crystal clear that the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of the Federal Health Institutions (FTHIs) are bent on frustrating the gains of the cadre, because over 15 months after all hurdles have been crossed, less than 15 per cent of the FTHls have appointed Consultant Pharmacists in their institutions.
He said: “The National Council on Establishment (NCE) first gave approval to this cadre in 2011. But despite the nod given, the cadre challenges persisted, hence a reinforced approval was given yet again by the NCE in 2021, while all enabling circulars were released by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).
“The Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHSoF) also gave final establishment approval by creating vacancies for Consultant Pharmacists in the civil service comprising all the MDAs at Federal and State Government levels in late 2024. Organised Labour through notable platforms like Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) have also been formidable in pursuing the welfare of Pharmacists and other health workers in our country.
“However, it is regrettable that despite the immensity of the inherent benefits the Consultant Cadre offers the health system, it has become crystal clear that the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) are bent on frustrating the gains of this cadre because over 15 months after all hurdles have been crossed less than 15% of the FHls have appointed Consultant Pharmacists in their institutions.
“This development is certainly not complementary to the reform agenda of the Prof. Pate led administration at the Federal Ministry of Health. There can be no room for a Nigerian way of running the health systems, hence we call on the Federal Ministry of Health through its enabling apparatus to invoke its circular to FHis which declared an intention to sanction CMDS/MDs/CEOs of FHIs which refuse to implement the Consultant cadre circular for Pharmacists in Nigeria.”
The PSN was also concerned that the state governments have not shown enough commitment to the approved Consultant Cadre in Pharmacy practice with its gross potentials, stating that only about 10 states have given approvals till date.
He made reference to the case of Lagos State perceived as the Centre of excellence. “It’s particularly worrisome as the Consultant cadre circular in pharmacy practice approved in 2018 by the Ambode administration was suspended and primordial sentiments in Lagos Government House have ensured that the necessary approval remains truncated.”
He alleged that a particular professional group which has members close to Governor Sanwo-Olu does not endorse developmental advancement for any other group but its own, and that might be responsible for non implementation of the directive.
The PSN President also lamented that the delay in the reconstitution of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Governing Board has affected the full functioning of the Council.
He said: “The PCN and NAFDAC are the two major regulatory agencies of the Federal Government through the oversight responsibilities of the Federal Ministry of Health that are involved in the regulation and control of the value chain of drug distribution in Nigeria.
“Today, the NAFDAC board is fully constituted to fast-track the full capacity of its statutory functions in the areas of enforcement of extant laws with regards to pharmaceutical premises in Nigeria. Unfortunately, this is not the situation at PCN which has powers to inspect, register and licence all pharmaceutical premises in Nigeria.
“The absence of a lawfully constituted PCN hinders full enforcement on pharmaceutical premises, accreditation of training facilities in the pharmaceutical sector, and the implementation of disciplinary activities as the Chairman of the PCN is the statutory Chairman of the Disciplinary Tribunal of the PCN.”
He insisted that the PCN and NAFDAC must be allowed to collaborate in managing the fallout of the sealed Open Drug Markets (ODMs) in Lagos, Anambra and Abia States.
“In view of the reality that there are genuine players in these ODMs like we saw in Sabon Gari drug market in Kano, the PCN must be allowed to extract firm commitment through letters of undertaking from the ranks of the over 11,000 sealed premises on their willingness to leave the ODMs and relocate to the catchment area as soon as it is ready,” he suggested.
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