Health News

St. Racheal to Conduct Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance in Nigeria

Published

5 years ago

December 6, 2018

Owing to increasing rate of antibiotic resistance in Nigeria, St. Rachael Pharma to conduct surveillance in Nigeria

Stating this at a media briefing to mark the 2018 World Antibiotic Awareness Week, the Chief Executive Officer, St Racheal’s Pharma, Mr. Akinjide Adeosun, said the study, which will be conducted in 2019, will provide doctors with current antibiotic sensitivity pattern, as well as guide them towards rational prescription of the drugs.

He said: “This will promote better treatment outcome for patients and peace of mind for doctors and pharmacists, and will on the long run help in curbing antibiotic resistance in the country.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines the right to health as the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. This fundamental human right could be breached if we do not preserve the potency of the antibiotics we have today.”

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He listed some causes of treatment failure in Nigeria to include wrong diagnosis and misapplication of antibiotics by quacks, lack of hygiene and poor sanitation by patients, under-dose of antibiotics by patients with correct diagnosis, counterfeit antibiotics by unscrupulous pharmaceutical manufacturers, among others.

“To tackle the menace of antibiotic resistance in Nigeria, we advised members of the public to always consult their doctors and take prescriptions to pharmacists. Nigerians should stop self-medication and ensure they take the full dose of their antibiotics when prescribed by doctors.”

He advised doctors and pharmacists to always source their antibiotics from top quality pharmaceutical manufacturers while also calling on the industry to invest more towards the discovery of new antibiotics.

In a keynote presentation, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Microbiologist at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Dr. Bamidele Mutiu described antibiotics as the cornerstone of modern medicine which has been saving lives since the discovery of Penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic, in 1928.

Mutiu expressed concern that some bacteria have become resistant to virtually all available antibiotics over the years, adding that yet, no new antibiotic has been developed in the last 30 years.

“We are running out of effective antibiotics that we need to fight infections,” he added.

Speaking on the topic titled “Antibiotic Resistance in Nigeria: A Call to Action,” Mutiu cited different studies showing different levels of resistance to popular antibiotics.

“In Lagos, for instance, a study showed that some germs (bacteria) such as the Pseudomonias aeruginosa strains have become resistant to all available antibiotics in Nigeria at a very high level ranging from 45 per cent to 100 per cent.

“The result of such resistance is that physicians have to develop some ingenious ways to get their patients, who need such antibiotics, treated because more people are dying due to antibiotic resistance,” he added.

Health News

NDLEA Launches Drug Abuse Reduction Campaign in Sokoto

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2022

Onyebuchi Aniekeyi

Author: Salifu Peace, Abuja

The national drug law enforcement agency (NDLEA) has launched war against drug abuse (WADA) in Sokoto state.

The agency called on stakeholders to intensify efforts on reducing cases of drug abuse in the society.

Abdul Abdullahi, the NDLEA commander in charge of Sokoto state, inaugurated the campaign on Sunday, expressing worry over increase in drug abuse related cases across the state.

According to Abdullahi, the command had from January to date, seized a total of 43,752kg of different types of illicit drugs in the state.

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He explained that WADA means increased synergy on combating the risk of drug abuse emphasising that such approach was intended to ensure a Strong approach.

The commander noted that the programme was being launched sequel to the initiatives of the NDLEA National Chairman, Retired Brig.-gen. Buba marwa.

Abdullahi expressed appreciation to other law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders in the state who are supportive in the command’s discharge of statutory responsibilities.

Health News

NDLEA Declares Embattled DCP Abba Kyari Wanted Over Drug Links

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2022

Onyebuchi Aniekeyi

NDLEA Declares Embattled DCP Abba Kyari Wanted Over Drug Links

Author: Patricia Soni-Odoh, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday declared suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, wanted over alleged links with an international drug cartel.
The spokesperson for NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, made the announcement during a press conference held at its Headquarters. The decision came amidst the Hushpuppi scandal.

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Kyari, until his suspension by the commission, was the officer-in-charge of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team.
A report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America had earlier indicted him in the case of fraud involving Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.

the Agency believes strongly that DCP Kyari is a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline, and he needs to answer questions that crop up in an ongoing drug case in which he is the principal actor. His failure to cooperate forced the hand of the Agency and that is the reason for this press briefing.

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Customs Corner

Pharmacist Council Seeks Collaboration With Customs to Combat Fake Drugs

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2022

Onyebuchi Aniekeyi

Pharmacist Council Seeks Collaboration With Customs to Combat Fake Drugs

Author: Gift Wada, Abuja

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria,PCN,has called on the Nigeria Customs Service,NCs to help combat the smuggling of fake and unauthorized drugs into the country

Ahmed Mora, Chairman of PCN Governing Council, during a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of NCs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali,in Abuja,

Stressing on the need for Collaboration between the two agencies, he said ” It is a known fact that the NCS regulates and controls all items of import including medicines (drugs). The PCN on the other hand issues premises certificates and regulates the practice of all pharmaceutical importers.

” The PCN is particularly pleased that premises licence is an important instrument in the processing of importation and clearing of medicines by the Nigeria Customs Service,”he added

Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Customs,Col. Hameed Ali,rtd, affirmed the need for a strong synergy between Nigeria Customs Service,NCS and Pharmacists Council of Nigeria,PCN for the purpose of effectively regulating the drug importation channels, ensuring that only authentic drugs are imported into Nigeria and possibly, reducing the use of illicit drugs in Nigeria.”

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He assured the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria of continued partnership and commitment towards assisting her in achieving her mandate through effective regulation and control of all items of import, including medicines, as this would positively impact the economy of the country, as well as the wellbeing of Nigerians.

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