Pharmacists call for end to drug smuggling

The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Association of Community Pharmacists are seeking an end to the smuggling and counterfeiting of drugs.

The Association also appealed to the Sate Governor, Umo Eno, to re-activate and fund the state Counterfeit and Fake Drug Monitoring Committee.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of  the 3rd Annual Scientific Conference of the Association.

The communique which was signed by the Association’s chairman, Tony Anderson said: “The conference observed that at a misery index of 85%, the Nigerian economy is depressed and this may lead to an increase in drug smuggling and counterfeiting.

“Against this backdrop, the authentication of medicines, traceability, tamper-proof packaging, quality control, secure transportation, storage and monitoring is essential to ensure medicine security.“Conference therefore called on the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno to consider the re-activation and funding of the Akwa Ibom State Counterfeit and Fake Drug Monitoring Committee as a public health emergency.”