By Nnedinma Okeke
The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has laid a ground breaking foundation stone for its Research Centre which would house an Analytical lab, Cold Chain Storage facility, Data hub, Warehouse, and halls for conferences, workshops, symposiums, and training purposes.
The symbolic ceremony had in attendance Past Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Presidents. It was held at the Research Centre site in Anambra Drug Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
The NAIP National Chairman, Pharm. Bankole Ezebuilo in his remarks, noted that the NAIP Research Centre was born out of the need to regulate the menace of drugs adulteration as it gets to the final consumer from the Coordinated Wholesale Centre.
“In drug markets around the country, findings have shown that authentic products can come in but that advantage will be taken and the drug adulterated. This then, lead to both good and bad products leaving the markets and both get to the final consumer.
“This is one of the reasons for the research centre, which will among other things house an Analytical lab where every product that comes into the market is analysed and once it goes out, we are sure that what the final consumer gets is authentic,” he said.
Pharm. Ezebuilo notified that Coordinated Wholesale Centres would be responsible for 70 to 80 percent of drugs that moves around the Country, so if adulteration of products is eradicated or minimised from the Centres, the final consumers are sure of unadulterated products.
“The research centre will also aid to ensure sanity in the market whereby the conference centre it houses can be used by companies in Nigeria to train their Medical Sales Representatives. NAFDAC, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, NDLEA, and many others can also hold workshops in the facility.
“The Centre will also serve as a Marketing research hub where people can inquire viability of molecules, a Cold Chain facility where drugs will be properly stored, and a Warehouse where marketers can keep their products and distribute from,” he explained.
The NAIP National Chairman while noting that the project was funded by NAIP, expressed gratitude to the Anambra State Government, who had given the project site to the Association free of charge.
He thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the gesture, and assured that the NAIP who were the first tier in the drug distribution chain would work to ensure that consumers gets unadulterated products.
A past PSN President, Pharm. UNO Uwaga, executing the ground breaking symbolic activity, noted that the project was been replicated in other parts of the country.
He appreciated God, the Anambra State Government and all who worked toward ensuring that the event was a reality in Anambra State.
Pharm. Uwaga prayed for health, strength, and resources that under the NAIP present leadership, the project would come to fusion, be a standing edifice and all plans of the PSN works out accordingly.
Other past PSN Presidents, namely; Pharm. Anthony Akhimme, Pharm. Azubuike Okwor, and Pharm. Olumide Akintayo gave their goodwill remarks.
They all noted that the event was a symbolic one which they were glad to be in attendance and witness in their lifetime, praying for all who would fund and work toward the achievement of the project.
The Special Adviser to the Anambra Governor on Medical and Pharmaceuticals, Dr Godwin Nnadozie represented by Pharm. Harrison Abone, expressed gratitude to the Governor Soludo for the pace of work at the CWC which were geared toward achieving the mandate for its functionality before end of 2025.
He noted that with the NAIP Research Centre in the CWC, there would be a lot of activities to enable control of ordinaries within the Centre one of which would ensure substandard products/drugs does not come in or leave the market.
The event had in attendance the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA)- Pharm. Chisom Uchem, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health (SMOH)- Pharm. Obiageli Uchebo and Traditional Ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Pharm. Alex Uzo Onyido.
The Anambra State NAIP Chairman- Pharm. Chinedu Obi, the Delta State NAIP Chairperson who serves also as the NAIP National Assistant Secretary – Pharm. Gloria Chinwuko, and other NAIP Officials and State Executives among other Pharmacists from across the Country were also present at the event.
Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Congratulations. Keep up the good works 💪