30th June, 2015
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, has said that state governments have a vital role to play in the eradication of fake drugs.
Mr. Awute made this known in Abuja at the press briefing on the 30 June, 2015 Deadline for Full Implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.
The Permanent Secretary commended states that have already established State Drug Distribution Centres (SDDCs), like Jigawa, Niger and Ekiti, which he noted have commenced implementation of the guideline.
He added that Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Anambra have had their SDDCs inspected by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and they are ready for take-off.
To this end, Mr. Awute informed that the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will commence the enforcement of the policy on Tuesday.
He added that the existence of open drug markets, which is the major source of fake, adulterated and substandard drugs in the country, will soon be a thing of the past.
He said “the launching of this document in 2012 signaled the take-off of its implementation while the establishment of state drug distribution centres (SDDCs) by the state governments and mega drug distribution centres (MDDCs) by the private sector was to take effect on 30 June, 2014. This deadline was extended to 30 June, 2015, through a ministerial directive on 26 June, 2014 to allow more time for the establishment of enough SDDCs and MDDCs.’’
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health has continued to provide the necessary support through awareness creation, sensitisation programmes, seminars and workshops.
He appealed to state governments not to relent in supporting the guidelines as orderly national drug distribution is a critical factor in efficient and safe healthcare delivery for any nation.