Banigo Tasks PSN On Fake, Sub-Standard Drugs

Rivers State Deputy
Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called on health workers to intensify effort on the war against fake, adulterated and substandard drugs in order not to endanger human lives.
Dr. Banigo made the call while addressing members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Rivers State branch during a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor explained that if the menace of fake and adulterated drugs was not checked, the provision of qualitative health care services to the people would be an illusion.
Dr. Banigo encouraged members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to conform with international best practices and urged them to continue to collaborate with the government and other relevant agencies to ensure the provision of accessible and affordable health care services to the people.
She stated that to bring health care delivery closer to the people, the Governor Wike-led administration had initiated the Micro Finance Loan Scheme for private medical practitioners in the State to assist them in complementing government effort in the provision of affordable healthcare services.
The Deputy Governor, who commended members of PSN for the visit tasked them to bring to the notice of government, individual or company found to be involved in the production of fake and adulterated drugs.
Earlier, the Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Rivers State branch, Mr. Wale Oladigbolu advocated the responsible use of drugs by healthcare professionals and members of the public, ethical production, procurement, distribution, dispensing and promotion of medicine through appropriate legislation, policies, regulation and education.
Mr. Oladigbolu regretted the porous nature of the nation’s borders and careless way drugs were being displayed on the streets and markets, stressing the urgent need for the re-enforcement of the taskforce on adulterated and fake drugs in the state to check the ugly situation.