PSN Board of Fellows to Hold Mid-Year Meeting
* Says Holistic Approach Required to Combat Drug Abuse
The most important annual event of the Board of Fellows (BoF) of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Mid-Year Meeting, is billed to hold at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos from 26th to 28th June 2018, says Pharm. Chiedu Ojike Mordi, chairman, PSN BoF has said.
Speaking with newsmen during a media parley held at BoF office, Anthony, Lagos, Pharm. Mordi, said the BoF was concerned about the ravaging effects of drug abuse palpable in every nook and cranny of Nigeria and is determined to unveil a new strategy which will comprise short, medium and long term solutions to combat the menace, which has assumed an epidemic dimension.
The BoF helmsman speaking further at the event graced by four other past chairmen of the body and other eminent pharmacists said that the BoF project on drug abuse though quite ambitious is doable.
He stated further that members of the BoF have over the years worked hard to improve the lot of humanity in their practice areas, noting that the body having identified some of these noble members, will decorate them with recognition awards during the mid-year meeting.
He disclosed that Professor Abhulimen Richard Anao, a world class scholar will deliver the BoF PSN mid-year meeting lecture on the topic: “Fundamentals of Nation Building: The Role of the Citizens”, adding that the lecture which will be incisive and insightful, will be a good working tool for both the leadership and the followership.
When asked for his thoughts on the recent decision of government to ban codeine preparations, Pharm. Mordi, said the government’s decision was typical of fire brigade approach of the nation to addressing issues, noting that it was because we allowed the drug abuse challenge to degenerate to the level it should never have gotten to.
He said that the right thing would have been a better regulated effort to ensure drugs are not getting to the wrong hands in the country, adding that a situation whereby all kinds of drugs are made available to laymen to distribute will always lead to all kinds of problems.
Speaking also at the media parley, Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, a past chairman of the BoF said that the government’s decision on codeine was a knee jack and lazy reaction, stating that drug abuse was a social problem that should be addressed as such.
Ohuabunwa also flayed the dysfunction of the health system, noting that we need to have a well ordered health system where every healthcare professional knows its role, plays it well and work well with other professional in synergy.
