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Politics?PCN: Pharmacist council act targets adherence to global best practices

Latest Politics updatein nigeria

The Pharmacist Council of nigeria (PCN), has said that the new PCN Establishment Act (2022) assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, targets adherence to global best practices in the pharmaceutical sector in nigeria.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of PCN Prof Ahmed Tijjani Mora at the Occasion of Media Chat in respect of the Gazetting of Pharmacy Council of nigeria(PCN) Establishment Act 2022, in Abuja, disclosed that the new PCN Act granted stiffer penalties for defaulters, as the intention is not punitive but to act as a corrective measure that will sanitise the profession.

According to Mora: “The Council is a regulatory agency. We are not a profit-making organisation and we are corrective, not punitive.

“In every organisation, we have deviants and that is why we have investigative panels and disciplinary tribunals to ensure that those deviants are brought to book”.

“The fines are meant to act as a deterrent for people not to fall short of the minimum standard expected from them. We are dealing with drugs and this is because the issue is about life and death and a manufacturer of the wrong medication can kill hundreds of people at once. We have zero tolerance when it comes to the quality of drugs in the market”

Mora maintained that both NAFDAC and PCN are required to undertake separate inspections of drug manufacturing facilities to ensure strict compliance with standards in nigeria

Mora pointed out that before an educational institution is granted accreditation, the two organisations must carry out an inspection and evaluation of their facilities.

“The institutions offering training of pharmacy professionals have been on the increase as the country now has about 219 universities teaching the course.

“Out of this number, we are happy to say that today we have 23 universities with approved Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree and Doctor of Pharmacy Degree programmes and more are in the pipeline, awaiting accreditation and approval”.

Similarly, the Registrar of PCN, Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed said part of the changes introduced in the new PCN Act is the upward review of fines for offenders, which was increased from N250,000 to N2 million.

Ahmed while responding to questions on the performance of the council, with regards to its enforcement of compliance to standards and laid down practices in the sector, he said that a lot of impacts has been made to ensure that people respect the set rules.

“So far the PCN enforcement team has visited a total of 27,262 facilities across the country, out of this number, we have closed down a total of 19,059. From among these, 1,780 were places operating illegally as pharmaceutical premises.

“Also 16,502 are patent medicine shops. Over this period, a total of 110 persons were arrested and are at various stages of prosecution. In the last quarter we have carried out enforcement in Oyo, Ogun states and are currently in Kogi State”

Ahmed further disclosed that a total of 57 pharmacies were sealed in Oyo State, while 335 patent medicine shops were sealed, another 25 pharmacies were shut down in Ogun State during the team’s inspection and 317 Patent Medicine shops closed down.

“Enforcement activities began after a proposal to set up an Enforcement Department in the Council was approved by the Head of Service of the Federation in 2018”.

Ahmed while given details of the powers given to his office under the new PCN law, said the Registrar’s office is now empowered to withdraw the operating licence of any defaulting pharmacy outlets.

Consequently, Ahmed said that it would enable the council to have an effective grip on the activities of pharmacy shops and ensure that they play according to the rules.

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BREAKING: APC Suspends Ganduje – 365 News

Latest Politics updatein nigeria

Lifestyle Nigeria gathered that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa local government area of Kano State has suspended the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, from the party.

The announcement was made by the ward’s legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, who addressed journalists in Kano on Monday.

Gwanzo cited allegations of bribery against Ganduje by the Kano State Government as the reason for the suspension.

“We decided to suspend Dr. Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo stated.

He said the suspension subsists until he clears himself from the allegations.

Details Later…

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Coastal Highway Dispute: Obi Calls Out Umahi to Substantiate Allegations

Latest Politics updatein nigeria

Peter-Obi-and-Dave-Umahi

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has addressed what he calls the “distortion of facts” surrounding his actions and statements during his tenure as governor of Anambra State, particularly concerning the ongoing demolitions for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal super highway.

In a statement on Thursday via his X account, Obi stated, “I aim to address these issues directly, devoid of political rhetoric, to ensure clarity for all. Let me be unequivocal: during my governorship, I made it abundantly clear that all structures obstructing existing roads and lacking approval would be removed.”

Referring to a circulated Update, Obi clarified, “The circulated Update clearly stated this, and I only initiated removal when construction had already commenced. Any insinuation otherwise is a blatant misrepresentation of the truth.”

He challenged critics, saying, “I challenge anyone to verify and show me where the demolished structures on existing roads or ongoing businesses were not encroaching on the road and built without government approval while I served as governor.”

Obi cited the demolition of the Onitsha North local government headquarters situated on the only existing stadium.

“I decisively demolished the Onitsha North local government headquarters situated on the only existing stadium, relocated, and built a brand new structure for the local government office away from the stadium,” he explained.

He further detailed his actions as aimed at restoring the stadium to its original purpose and honouring Nigerian sports heroes.

“This action was necessary to restore the stadium to its original purpose as a sporting facility for the people. Subsequently, the stadium was rightfully named after the first owner of the first football club figure in Nigerian sports, Chuba Ikpeazu, as a tribute to our commitment to honouring our heroes,” Obi stated.

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Akpabio: No Nigerian Will Work Under Inhuman Conditions Again

Latest Politics updatein nigeria

Akpabio

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has assured Nigerian workers that the National Assembly and the executive arm of government would work collaboratively to give them a living wage and better working conditions.

The Senate President declared that “No Nigerian worker will again be allowed to work under inhuman conditions. We will do everything to give you the best because you deserve the best.”

He made the declaration in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, to congratulate the workers as they commemorate the 2024 May Day.

Akpabio, in the message, extolled the sterling qualities that stood out to the Nigerian workers, saying, “A Nigerian worker is noted for his patriotism, hard work, resilience, and dedication to duty.

“I am happy to be associated with the Nigerian workers in the last more than 25 years and I can attest to the fact that everywhere you go, the Nigerian worker’s spirit resonates profoundly.”

Speaking on this year’s theme for Workers’ Day, “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate,” Akpabio promised that the National Assembly under his leadership was more than committed to ensuring the best working conditions for the Nigerian workers.

The Senate President reiterated that the theme for this year’s celebration was apt and in tune with the international best practices, assuring that nigeria would not be left behind.

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