Pharmacists seek drug tariff removal to encourage domestic production

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Osun State branch, has appealed to the Federal Government to remove tariffs on essential drug production commodities being imported from outside the country.

The society said it has become imperative for the federal government to immediately act to stem the rising cost of essential drugs, noting that the move would also encourage local production of drugs.

This was disclosed in Osogbo on Monday, by the chairman of the society, Mr Michael Omoniyi, while addressing journalists on the activities slated to mark the 2024 Pharmacy Week held between 23, and 29, September.

According to him, the theme of this year’s celebration ‘Global Health Needs: Expanding Roles of Pharmacists in Beating Current Healthcare Challenges,’ was chosen owing to the group’s belief that there was a need to further expand the roles of pharmacists in health care delivery.

“We appeal to the government to act and remove tariffs on the essential drugs production commodities. Doing that will encourage local production and bring down the cost of drugs, thus making them available to the people,” Omoniyi said.

He urged members of the public to disregard a piece of news circulating on social media, purporting that a pharmacist stole drugs from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife and sold them at his wife’s shop.

He said besides the fact that the incident did not happen in OAUTHC, Omoniyi also claimed the perpetrator was never a pharmacist.

Commenting on the activities lined up for the annual celebrations, the Osun PSN chairman said; health work, a visit to the orphanage, a career talk, an award presentation, Jumat and thanksgiving service, were some of the events that had been planned for the celebrations, adding that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke was being expected at the opening ceremony of the weeklong events.

The chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Nurudeen Adebayo urged Nigerians who were in the habit of taking herbal concoctions, to desist from such acts to prevent untimely damage to their internal organs.