PHARMACY BILL 2017 : Community Pharmacists To Shutdown Operations Nationwide

As part of effort to Celebrate the World Pharmacist Day, the  Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has directed all community pharmacists to shut all outlets  on Monday to protest delay in assenting to the Pharmacy Bill 2017.

The pharmaceutical group stressed that the protest is to draw President Muhammadu Buhari’s attention to the bill, seen as strategic in fighting against drug abuse.

According to the council,  in a communique signed by its chairman Adekola Samuel and secretary Abosede Idowu,in  an executive council  meeting in Kano  issued the shut-down notice, adding that “It is unfortunate that the most potent legal instrument that could curb drug abuse, “is seemingly being treated with levity”.

The body also stated that health workers in public and private hospitals will join in the protest in ensuring that the government react in passing the bill into law.

“Every community pharmacy practitioner in Nigeria will withdraw their services by closing down their Pharmacies on Monday 6th May, 2019 between the 12.00hours and 14.00hours to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to do the needful in public health interest.”

The association also plans to mobilise pharmacists and stakeholders in the  health sector to Abuja for a march , “in support of this patriotic call for immediate assent of Mr. President to the Pharmacy Council Bill 2017”.

On why Buhari should sign Pharmacy Council bill 2017, PCN declared the state of emergency on hospital pharmacies .