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PSN, APIN presidents bemoan COVID-19 impact on pharma industry - Task government on strategic development of pharma sector By Yusuff Moshood he recent outbreak of separate exclusive interviews, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is of various health conditions, two pharma leaders explained Tdealing a severe blow to the President, Pharmaceutical Society that the nation’s pharmaceutical nation’s pharmaceutical industry, of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. (Mazi) manufacturing industries, and except the scourge is quickly Sam Ohuabunwa; and President, providing between 20 to 30 per curtailed, Nigeria and Nigerians Association of Pharmaceutical cent of medicines used locally, are in for a very tough time in Importers of Nigeria (APIN), Pharm. depend heavily on China for terms of getting medicines for (Sir) Nnamdi Obi, have said. the treatment and management Speaking with Pharmanews in continued on page 20

L-R: Mr Johnson Ekeh, MD, Grace Johnson Ltd and highest distributor of Lumapil Forte in 2019, receiving the gift of a car from the managing director of Phamatex Nigeria Ltd, Prince Christopher Nebe, in Lagos, recently.

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 1 3/19/2020 11:56:11 AM 2 Personality of the Month Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 harm, Michael Heavens, is the managing director /chief executive officer of CHAN Medi-Pharm Ltd/Gte. Born in PLokoja, Kogi State, Heavens is a native of Edo State. He had his elementary and Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi secondary education FPSN, FPCPharm, FNAPharm, FNAPPSA, DFPEFON, FNIM in different parts of the Publisher 08033015991 country. He graduated from Dozie David Atueyi the University of Jos, Executive Editor where he bagged his 07038576107 Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree, before Yusuff Moshood proceeding to Lagos Editor State University, for 08055212962 his Master of Business Ola Aboderin Administration (MBA) Sub-Editor programme. 07033179360 Heavens had a brief stint as a medical Moses Dike representative with Evans Business Development Manager Medical Plc, from 2004 to 08028396755 2008. Between 2008 and January 2010, he worked Temitope Obayendo with Pharmabase Nigeria Online Editor 08026748215 Limited as the regional sales manager, covering Lagos and Ogun States. Adebayo Oladejo As a reward for his valued contribution to the growth of Reporter Pharmabase, he was promoted to the post of product manager, 08037648465 a post he occupied from January 2010 to January 2011. From January 2011 to May 2012, he was the organisation’s business Matthew Anani development manager. Advert Manager In July 2012, Heavens joined Neimeth International 08038572215 Pharmaceuticals Plc, as head of sales/national demand Chidi Julius Ozoemena manager. Two years later, in December 2014, he became the Advert Executive national sales manager of Elbe Pharma Nigeria Limited. 08066103671 Following his track record of excellent performance over the years, Heavens was appointed chief operating officer Peter Ogbonna (COO) of CHAN Medi-Pharm Ltd/Gte in February 2017. As Advert Executive the COO, he effectively coordinated all the four major arms of 08137814813 CHAN Medi-Pharm (Essential Medicines, NGO/programmes, Warehousing/Supply Chain Management and PATH2 Elizabeth Amuneke Businesses) and made sure they delivered their numbers. Admin. Manager 08057235128 He also complimented the efforts of the marketing and national sales managers in promoting the company’s brands Chinedu Udeanyim for better sales. As the COO, he served as a member of the Accountant Finance and Medicare & General Purpose Committees of the 07066300374 Board of CHAN Medi-Pharm Ltd/Gte. In April 2018, he was elevated to the position of managing Chiazor Juliet Okeke director/chief executive officer (CEO) of CHAN Medi-Pharm Subscription Officer Ltd/Gte. Since assuming this position, he has provided 08134835525 leadership and strategic direction to CHAN Medi-Pharm Ltd/ Inspiration Solomon Ojigbo Gte and other members of the executive management team, IT Officer especially in ensuring that the company meets its strategic achievable, ambition and 08104754846 objectives and goals in line with its vision and mission. “When you decide to drive can erase excuses.” Heavens is a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of be better than you were – Lorii Myers Omolola Famodun Nigeria (PSN). He was a former assistant secretary, National yesterday and maintain Digital Marketing Executive Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP), as well as this attitude, you are 09025637371 being chairman, Conference Planning Committee, National “Do not be going to the peak.” ― embarrassed by your Association of Industrial Pharmacists. Israelmore Ayivor Andy Benson-Idima Heavens believes in giving back to society. This passion failures, learn from Graphic Artist them and start again.” – 08037151780 has birthed some thriving initiatives such as the scholarship “Keep your focus awards given annually to financially challenged students to Richard Branson aid them from primary to tertiary institutions and the giving on the things you can CORRESPONDENCE: actually control. Choosing All correspondence on editorial of financial and technical support to small business owners. “Success is simple. matters should be directed to: He is happily married to Mrs Oluwakemi Grace Heavens, and to center on anything else Do what’s right, the right The Editor-08055212962 their marriage is blessed with three children. will either stop you in your way, at the right time.” – tracks or significantly Arnold H. Glasgow Enquiries on advertisements slow you down.” should be directed to: The Advert Manager-08038572215 ― Sherene McHenry “If you don’t value Only NAFDAC- approved advert Celebrating your time, neither will materials are accepted . “Take action! An inch others. Stop giving away SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION of movement will bring your time and talents. 1. Subscription rate for 12 editions is you closer to your goals N10,000 including postage within Nigeria. 4141 YearsYears Value what you know and 2. Single copy costs =N=1,000.00 (without than a mile of intention.” start charging for it.” – postage) ― Steve Maraboli Kim Garst 3. Payment to be made directly to Zenith of Uninterrupted Bank Plc. A/c No: 1010701673 “The difference 4. You can also pay through portal, simply Monthly Publication “Striving for success visit: http://login.remita.net/remita/ between successful and without hard work is like external/PHARMANEWS/collector/ (1979 - 2020) unsuccessful people isn’t trying to harvest where 5. After payment text us the bank deposit really about resources you haven’t planted.” – slip number, your full name, contact address that were available to David Bly and e-mail. No one regrets advertising in Pharmanews them when they started For subscription enquiry, call 08134835525 out, instead it’s their ISSN 0331-815X “The difference Pharmanews Limited resourcefulness or between a successful 8 Akinwunmi Street, Mende, follow us on linkedin @Pharmanews limited personal initiative that person and others is not Maryland, Lagos makes the difference.” – P.O.Box 2213, Ikeja like us on facebook.com/pharmanewsltd a lack of strength, not a Tel: 08057235128, 08055212962. Derric Yuh Ndim lack of knowledge, but follow us on twitter@pharmanewsltd E-mail: [email protected], rather a lack of will.” – [email protected] When aspirations Vince Lombardi Website: www.pharmanewsonline.com follow us on instagram.com/pharmanewsltd. are perceived to be

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 2 3/19/2020 11:56:33 AM } Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 } Editorial 3 hen China confirmed the outbreak of coronavirus, remained adamant. It was not until Wnow officially named the confirmed cases had escalated COVID-19, on 31 December 2019, Now that Covid-19 to eight before the government most Nigerians had earnestly eventually announced, on 18 March, prayed that the viral disease would is here travel restrictions for travellers not find its way into the country and from 13 high-risk Covid-19 also hoped that the government countries. It is indeed deplorable would resolutely take all necessary Osagie Ehanire, confirmed that an the ultimate blow, as the number that the Nigerian government measures to safeguard the nation Italian man who had arrived the of confirmed cases of the infection should be more interested in and its citizens from the scourge. country from Milan, Italy, three has so far grown from one to eight, economic considerations when the This admixture of apprehension days earlier, had tested positive to as at the time of writing this. health of the citizen was in serious and hope was largely fuelled COVID-19. Nigerian thus became Even though the coronavirus jeopardy. The government need by memories of the harrowing the first country in sub-Saharan disease has not spread in the not be reminded that the citizens experience the nation went Africa to be hit by the disease, country as many would have must be alive first before they can through in 2014 when Ebola found and with that began the trademark expected, given the poor state benefit from and contribute to the its way into the country through a “fire-brigade” attempt to contain of our health facilities, it must be economy. Liberian-American lawyer, Patrick the spread of the infection in the emphasised that our carelessness The outbreak of COVID-19 Sawyer. The 40-year-old Sawyer, country. as a nation could have cost us should equally be a wake-up call to had arrived Nigeria aboard an But if Nigerians had been dearly as many countries with the intrinsic nexus between drug aircraft from Liberia. chagrined by the fact that the better health systems and more availability and national security. That an infected Sawyer was authorities allowed a repeat of resources are now in dire straits as The nation’s pharmaceutical able to enter the country from what happened with Ebola to a result of COVID-19. In fact, it is for industry is bound to have a tough Liberia, one of the nations worst happen with coronavirus, then this reason that many nations have time providing the medicines affected by the Ebola epidemic they were in for a greater shock been taking very drastic measures needed by our huge population of at that time, was considered quite when it was discovered that, such as flight ban and visa over 200 million in the next couple tactless and unacceptable by many contrary to earlier claims and cancellation to curtail the spread of weeks, except the coronavirus Nigerians who had expected the assurances by the government, of the condition in their countries. is imminently curtailed. This government to have done much the country was not fully prepared Curiously, while many of these is because India and China more to prevent the incursion of the to combat an outbreak of the nations around the world were that we depend on for finished disease into the country. One of the disease. Indeed, as at 3 February, prioritising the health and safety pharmaceutical products and lingering scars of that grave error the federal government, had of their citizens, the Nigerian Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients was the loss of the distinguished through the Nigeria Centre for government, citing economic (APIs) and other inputs for local Nigerian doctor, Stella Ameyo Disease Control (NCDC), declared reasons, refused to place a travel pharmaceutical manufacturing are Adadevoh, who heroically oversaw that it had not only put in place ban on countries with active no longer supplying to us as they Mr Sawyer’s treatment. There were measures to ensure that COVID-19 spread of the virus. Not even battle to take care of their own seven other fatalities out of the 20 was prevented from entering the massive calls from different citizens at this precarious time. cases of Ebola infection linked to the country but had also set up quarters, including the Senate and It is our view that the Nigerian Mr Sawyer. This was in addition mechanisms to swiftly contain the Nigerian Medical Association nation must begin to look to the seismic socio-economic any possible outbreak. The (NMA), for a total shutdown of the inward and act right on matters disruptions witnessed in the authenticity of these claims began nation’s borders, could jolt the of healthcare. The government country for the 92 days that the to crumble with the reports that government to the health hazard it must know that prioritiving the epidemic lasted, before the nation the isolation centre in which the was inviting on the citizens. Indeed, health of citizens at all times and was eventually declared Ebola index case was quarantined was the NMA had gone so far as to also being better prepared to free on 20 October, 2014. in a deplorable state, so much that raise the alarm that, at least, 730 handle emergency public health Sadly, to the disappointment the hapless Italian had threatened people from high-risk countries of challenges like the COVID-19 and dismay of many Nigerians, on to flee the centre due to “excessive coronavirus entered the country on outbreak is fundamental to the 28 February, the Minister of Health, heat and mosquitoes”. Then came a daily basis. Yet the government survival of the nation.

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 3 3/19/2020 11:56:39 AM } 4 }Reflection Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Priorities shape your life By Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi n your business and life, you “Life is short. Focus on what must determine what your really matters most; you should Ipriorities are in order to change your priorities over succeed. About half a century time” said Roy T. Bennett. It must ago, a management guru, Peter be realised that no one can do Drucker, coined the term, MBO – all things. You cannot attend all management by objectives. It has meetings and functions. Therefore, a lot to do with setting goals and you must have the courage to say is a very important management no to some invitations. You must tool. Goals list what you want to prioritise your schedule. accomplish but goals alone don’t Your priorities reveal a lot impress on you why they are about you. What you spend your important or which ones matter precious time on indicates what most. Therefore, you must set you consider very important your priorities by focusing and to you. Many a time people say OUR PARTNERS concentrating your resources on they have no time to do Alpha Pharmacy & Stores certain things. It only Adler Products Ltd the few things that truly count. Artemis Life Sciences You must develop the implies that they do Association of Industrial Pharmacist of Nigeria ability to say no to unimportant not consider those Biomedical Limited things important BG Pharm & Healthcare Ltd activities. Unsuccessful people Bond Chemical Industies Ltd tend to spend their time on low because we all have Dana Pharmaceutical limited priority activities. I remember 24 hours in a day. DKT International Nigeria many years ago, I visited a Observe how and Elbe Pharma Nigeria Ltd Emzor Pharmaceutical Limited professional colleague in a where they spend Euromed Limited pharmaceutical company. their time and you Expharlab Ltd Since that was my first can easily determine Health Plus Nig. Ltd Geneith Pharmaceuticals limited visit to his company, their priorities. Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals Nig. Ltd he wanted to When you Jawa International Ltd introduce don’t consider JB Pharmaceuticals Ltd Juhel Nigeria Ltd me to his something Lotus Technicals managing important, you Mark Pharmaceuticals Ltd director, a can always May & Baker Nigeria Plc Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd Briton. On give excuses Mega Lifesciences Nigeria Ltd getting to the for not Micro Nova Pharmaceuticals Ltd MD’s office, doing them. Neimeth International Pharmaceueticals Plc Nemitt Pharmaceuticals Limited his secretary What you Nigerian Army Drugs Manufacturing Company Limited told us to wait consider Olpharm Pharma Ltd because he your Neros Pharmaceuticals Ltd Phamatex (Nig.) Ltd had gone to priorities Phamatex Industries Ltd discuss with determine Pharma Ethics Ltd the carpenters at the back of the your life. Therefore, if you want Pinnacle Health Pharmaceutical Ltd Ranbaxy Nigeria Ltd building. After waiting for some to change your life, change your Sagar Vitaceuticals Nigeria Ltd time, she apologised to us saying priorities. Shalina Healthcare Nigeria Ltd that her boss liked to spend In the Bible, Mathew 6:21 says, Swiss Pharma Nig Ltd Therapeutic Laboratories (Nig.) Ltd time with the carpenters. That “For where your treasure is, Trinity University impression has not left me since. there your heart will be also.” Unique Pharmaceuticals Ltd When you have no set Whenever we talk of treasure, the Vixa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd priorities, you may not focus on mind runs to accumulated wealth the right opportunities and you and highly valued possessions. Thanks for your patronage spread yourself too thin. Without But we must consider the time priorities, you will fail to achieve God has given us as a treasure. In your goals. fact, time is considered to be more Your priorities must connect valuable than money. Take advantage of our underlisted “Disease of the Month” feature to your mission if they are correct. If you consider your time a articles to advertise your products. These priorities must be clear treasure, then where and how you to the team you are working spend it clearly show where your DISEASE OF THE MONTH FOR 2020 with. Some leaders struggle with heart is. I always ask myself what MONTH DISEASE many priorities. They never say I love to do with my time. Are JANUARY Ear, Nose & Throat Infections no and allow too many issues to those things I do taking me to my overwhelm them. destiny.Are they helping me to be FEBRUARY Prostate Cancer Setting priorities helps you the person God has planned for MARCH Skin Infections determine your purpose for life me? Are they helping me to fulfill and not just getting results. It helps my mission in life? APRIL Malaria you answer the question of why A critical analysis reveals that MAY Asthma you exist and what you are trying not all the things I spend my time to achieve. You want to ensure that doing really matter. John Wolfgang JUNE Hypertension your efforts contribute something von Goethe says, “Things which meaningful and worthwhile. matter most must never be at JULY Heartburn & GERD You must accept the fact the mercy of things which matter AUGUST Pain/Rheumatism/Arthritis that you can’t do everything and least.” you can’t give every task equal People have different SEPTEMBER Erectile Dysfuntion/Infertility attention. Therefore, you must rate priorities. What you consider your OCTOBER GIT Ulcer your tasks in order of importance. priority many not be mine. If you To determine your priorities, ask don’t know your own priorities NOVEMBER Diabetes yourself what you must do, what and work on them, other people DECEMBER HIV/AIDS & STD you should do, what you could do; will impose their own on you. It what you can’t do. This implies that is not being selfish but being wise Pharmanews Limited E-mail: [email protected], 8 Akinwunmi Street, Mende, [email protected] you must learn to say no without to focus on your own instead of Maryland, Lagos,P.O.Box 2213, Ikeja Website: www.pharmanewsonline.com feeling guilty. other people’s priorities. Tel: 08055212962.

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Coke’s original recipe: Was there really Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 4 3/19/2020 11:56:47 AM cocaine in it? }

Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 }News 5 Experts decry high mortality rates of under 15 in Sub-Saharan Africa - Advocate stiffer penalties for violators of children’s rights By Temitope Obayendo ith about 6.3 million impacts of action; as well as deaths of under 15 in government has its own role time such a law is passed, a lot delivering policy briefs to 2017, 60 per cent of to play, in promoting child’s of men will think twice before guide actions. W Idris also enjoined which occurred in Sub-Saharan right laws and policies in the embarking on such evil acts.” Africa countries, including country. There should be some Former Commissioner for researchers in the country to Nigeria, medical experts have legislations made on this case, Health in Lagos State, Dr Jide always endeavour to summarise declared that unless drastic to ensure laws that will protect Idris, who was the chairman their research outcomes into measures are taken urgently these children and give a stiffer of the event’s Organising concise formats for policy to address causes of mortality punishment to deter abusers Committee, noted that the age makers to act on, noting that in adolescents, there may be of children from such habit, as group under consideration, since the latter do not read no future for the worst affected present fines are so mild. 0-25, constitutes 65 per cent journals, such brief statements countries. “For instance, if punishment of the nation’s population, will enable them to translate The experts, who raised the for raping a minor is 10 years stressing that once this group’s such findings into policies for alarm at a conference jointly imprisonment without bail health is affected, the health of the benefits of the populace. organised by the University of option, I think that will be a the nation is in jeopardy. In his welcome address, Ibadan Research Foundation; stronger deterrent for rapists. He highlighted the mission the DG NIMR, Prof. Babatunde the Special Thematic Working Apart from that, the rapist is of STWG, which he said Salako, appreciated the Group on Maternal, Neonatal, also to be made to ensure that include: agreeing on the asset participants, including students Children and Women Health the affected girl child goes to base of the nation for positive and researchers from over 10 (STWG-MNCWH) and the school, while he pays for the health outcomes; effecting secondary schools selected Nigerian Institute of Medical girl’s school fees up to any level options on what available data from Lagos and Oyo states. Research (NIMR), identified the child desires. I’m sure by the show; reflecting community continued on page 23 some preventable diseases and aspirations and potential practices causing the spike in adolescent mortality to include diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria, typhoid, drug abuse, adolescent pregnancy and child marriage. They further called on fellow scientists from the over 150 universities in Nigeria, religious leaders, community leaders, and governments at all levels, to deploy all resources at their disposal towards reducing the scourge of adolescent mortality. Speaking on the topic, “Adolescent Health and Education: Meeting the Rights”, the keynote speaker at the conference, Prof. Ademola Ajuwon of the Department of Health Education and Promotion, University of Ibadan, x-rayed the various health hazards that adolescents are exposed to, which she said often arose from negligence and lack of adequate care from their parents or guardians. Citing teenage pregnancy as leading hazard for adolescents, Ajuwon noted that this accounted for the disheartening statistics by the World Health Organisation, which says about 16 million girls, aged 15-19 years and 2.5 million under 16 years give birth each year in developing regions, while about 3.9 million girls aged 15-19 years undergo unsafe abortions, with half of pregnancies among 15 -19 years old girls in developing regions being estimated to be unwanted. Ajuwon further explained that, aside from adolescent pregnancy, child marriage is also a major practice that jeopardises the health of adolescents, stating, “One of every seven girls in the developing world is forced to marry by the time she is 14 years old. And she is five times more likely to die in childbirth than a young woman in her twenties. She is more likely to be beaten, threatened, and infected with HIV by her husband than a girl who married later.” The health expert subsequently called on the National Assembly to legislate stiffer penalties for paedophiles and rapists. In her words, “The Pharmanews App now available on Google Play store, Apple Store, Windows Store

Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 5 3/19/2020 11:56:50 AM 6 }Selling Champion } Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Enlarge your style of thinking: Selling is a number game! By George O. Emetuche Your Sales Target! Yes, you can. You was once asked by a friend that if New Monthly Sales Target [MST] achieve this feat by changing the I had the opportunity of taking a becomes 40,000,000, instead of way you think and by doing things Ibank loan of one million and five 20,000,000 allocated from the differently. You need to look at your hundred million, which would I go office. approach to work. You need to look for? I replied him that I would go for You lose nothing by thinking at your strategy. Great things don’t five hundred million. The reason is this way. Think and act big always. just happen; great things are made simple: the same stress of taking a What salespeople are required to to happen. loan of one million will also apply do is to appraise the capacity of You have a lot of capacity within. with five hundred million. every prospect they are following You only need to believe and work In going for the latter, I will have up and work with the highest hard. There is nothing to lose when more advantages if I went for the figure they think the prospect can you follow this line of thought. You bigger amount because I will have achieve. Suppose the information only need to ensure a positive line more money to invest and more the salesman gathered tells him of thought and work hard to make it Masterclass holds for the first profit to make. The bank will likely that the prospect buys between come to reality. Thinking big drives time in Enugu, The Coal City! assign financial experts to me to 1000 unit to 3000 units of items at you to go for bigger goals and Theme: Making of a Selling ensure that the fund is adequately every purchase, a smart salesman achievements; it leads to greatness. Champion secured and judiciously utilised. will go for 3000 unit when he Think around the customer you Date: 8th April, 2020. Venue: This reduces the risk of failing. This eventually meets with the prospect. are already dealing with on how Villa Toscana, 1 Aguleri Street, is why I believe that it is better to He prepares all his efforts towards to make him buy himself into your Independence Layout, Enugu. Time: think big all the time. Think big. selling 3000 units of items. mega distributor category. Think 9am. No one wins a trophy for thinking This is how to succeed in of how you will be your company’s Faculty: small. This is one of my sales rules. your selling. No one expands by best salesman of the year. These Vincent Onodugo, PhD, contraction. People grow by going thinking patterns are no crime, FNIM, Researcher, Management Enlarging your thinking for bigger targets. Go for bigger they will enable the salesman work Consultant and Scholar of University The process of professional results. Work hard and smart to harder to maintain or exceed his of Nigeria. Topic: The Effective selling doesn’t flow with mediocre attain the best result. It is never a expectations. Leader. thinking. Salesmen should always crime to dream big. Dreams should When you enlarge your Charles Iloegbunam, FNIMN, discourage accommodating little be bigger than the dreamers. The thinking, what you have done is Former GM, Sales and Marketing, figures or projections in their minds. bigger the dream, the bigger the that you have broadened your Promasido, COO, Conoil Aviation When I teach the concept of sales achievement – the happier the expectation and capacity to do and Chairman, Asterisks Concepts target, I tell salesmen to apply The dreamer. more. Your capability is a function Limited. Topic: Route To Market. Selling Champion 1x2x20 Model. of your level of thinking. You can’t George O. Emetuche, MNIMN, In this model, Number 1 represents You stand out when you think achieve beyond what you think. You Bestselling Author, Accredited the sales target allocated from the like a champion are what you think and how you Training Consultant, Sales and office. Number 2 is multiplying the A champion doesn’t just think think. Marketing Expert and Convener, daily sales target by 2. Number 20 about the crown; he goes all the Walter Anderson said, ‘‘You Nigeria Sales Conference. Topic: is multiplying the figure you got by miles to win it! You attract respect and I are not what we eat; we are The Art of Selling 20, which is approximate working and followership when you think what we think.’’ You are not bigger Fee: N50,000. Group discounts days in the month. big and achieve extraordinary than the way you think. You cannot available. Therefore, if your office result. Nobody wants to identify grow beyond your thoughts. allocated 1,000,000 units daily for with a mediocre. Let your dreams You overcome your challenges Please call, 07060559429, you as sales target. Applying this be as big as you can imagine. by the way you think. Enlarge 08186083133, or visit www. formula, it becomes: 1,000,000 x Don’t be afraid to dream big. Just Your Thinking Style and be an thesellingchampionconsulting.com, 2 = 2,000,000 x 20 = 40,000,000. believe you can achieve your outstanding professional. or www.nigeriasalesconference. Your New Daily Sales Target [DST] goals and you will. Don’t be afraid becomes 2,000,000, while your of sales target. You need to Scare The Selling Champion Annual

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 6 3/19/2020 11:56:57 AM Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 7

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 7 3/19/2020 11:56:59 AM } 8 }Heroes of Healthcare Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Agnes Yewande Savage: West African pioneer of women in Medicine By Solomon Ojigbo

he early history of the There, she received an award medical profession in for General Proficiency in Nigeria and, indeed, Class Work and passed the T Scottish Higher Education West Africa, is replete with exploits of women who have Leaving Certificate. She was contributed in various ways admitted to the University of to the development and Edinburgh to study Medicine, advancement of healthcare. and excelled in her studies. However, little is remembered She graduated with first class of these women whose honours from the University of audacity to challenge the Edinburgh in 1929. discriminatory norms that time fuelled their determination Savage, like many African to excel as their male women who practised in a counterparts. male-dominated African civil service faced gender and One of those female racial institutional barriers in pacesetters was Agnes her career. After graduation, Yewande Savage. She was she joined the colonial service the first Nigerian and West in the Gold Coast (present- African woman to train, qualify day Ghana) as a Junior and receive a university Medical Officer. Though degree in orthodox medicine, better qualified than most of graduating with first class her male counterparts, she honours from the University of received fewer benefits. Edinburgh in 1929, at the age of 23. In 1931, she was recruited by the headmaster of A woman of excellence, Achimota College, Alec Savage was one of the brightest Garden Fraser. At the urging minds in the medical school of Alec Garden Fraser, the during her years at Edinburgh, colonial government gave her where she outperformed a better contract. She was with her male counterparts. In Achimota for four years as a her fourth year in medical Agnes Yewande Savage medical officer and a teacher. school, she obtained first class honours in all subjects, He worked for several years Savage played a leading won a prize in Diseases of the Edinburgh medical graduate in Cape Coast in the Gold role in women emancipation Skin and a medal in Forensic of Sierra-Leone Creole and Coast (modern Ghana) as a and empowerment in West Medicine - becoming the Egba-Nigerian descent; and government physician and as Africa. Her achievement first woman in the history of Maggie S. Bowie, a working- a private practitioner. in the medical profession Edinburgh to do so. She was class Scotswoman. encouraged many girls to awarded the Dorothy Gilfillan Yewande Savage’s brother, be doctors like her. While at Memorial Prize as the best The Savage family had Richard Gabriel Akinwande Achimota College, she came woman graduate in 1929. several medical doctors. Savage Jr, was also a doctor who in contact with Susan de Graft- Richard, her father was graduated from Edinburgh Johnson – who would later Savage was a co-founder a prominent physician, in 1926 and received his become Ghana’s first female of Korle-Bu Nurses Training journalist (publisher of the commission as a 2nd Lieutenant medical doctor. College in Ghana, where a Nigerian Spectator) and on September 23, 1940, making ward was named in her honour. politician in Lagos, Nigeria him the first West African to be Graft-Johnson regularly As Ghana’s foremost nursing during the colonial era. He commissioned an officer in the worked with Savage at the college, Savage played an served as an officer in the British Army. In September sick bay and became her active role in the Korle-Bu Afro-West Indian Society, 1941, He was promoted to mentee. She later went on nurses’ early formation and edited the Society’s 1899–1900 the rank of Captain and later to also study Medicine at training. handbook and was subeditor retired from the army as a the University of Edinburgh. of The Student. He was the last Major. He served as a medical Another West African female Education and African to be appointed to the doctor in the Asian Theater medical pioneer who was background colonial medical service, as of World War 2, specifically also mentored by Savage Yewande Savage was an assistant colonial surgeon, in Burma, where he tended and studied at both Achimota born on 21 February 1906, in before the 1902 declaration to wounded soldiers from and Edinburgh was Matilda J. Edinburgh, Scotland, to the by Joseph Chamberlain that Britain’s contingent. Among Clerk, who became the first family of Richard Akinwande in future the service would the soldiers that Richard Ghanaian woman to win a Savage Senior, a 1900 be restricted to Europeans. Savage Jr treated in Burma was university merit scholarship, Isaac Fadoyebo, a wounded the second female doctor in Nigerian soldier in the Royal Ghana and the fourth West West African Frontier Force, African woman to train as a who recounted the quality of physician. care that Savage provided to him and other West African Savage retired relatively soldiers. early due to “physical and psychological exhaustion” in Yewande Savage grew up 1947, after years of hard work in Scotland where she had her and dedication to healthcare entire education. She passed service education in Ghana. exams to the Royal College of She spent the remainder of Music in 1919 and was given a her life in Scotland raising her scholarship to study at George niece and nephew. She died of Watson’s Ladies College. a stroke in 1964.

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domain to know what they are Was the world slow to doing. This is to ensure that the WHO is able to respond react to coronavirus? to disease outbreaks quickly and prevent countries from covering up outbreaks for self- with serving reasons. POLEMIC Yusuff Moshood Unfortunately, the IHR [email protected]/08055212962 measures put in place in 2005 failed to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, as China once hen coronavirus questions, will have to be SARS outbreak in China, the again failed to quickly share (COVID-19) is answered, and answers to China Ministry of Health was vital public health information Weventually brought them will be quite invaluable said to be aware for months that perhaps could have under control and nations in ensuring the world never of a dangerous new type of helped the containment of the around the world finally halt again has to face the kind of pneumonia in Guangdong virus before it spread round the global pandemic in its challenge that COVID-19 is province, yet allegedly did not the world like the wild bushfire track, there would have to be currently posing to the world. share the information early that it has become. an enquiry on how the world I must first state that enough with other countries And it is not only the reacted or failed to react history gets repeated because nor issue a nationwide alert Chinese leadership that has appropriately to an epidemic people hardly learn from it. to health institutions and suffered from a dangerous that has affected thousands of However, there must come hospitals. inertia during this COVID-19 people and killed over 5,000 a time when humanity must Such timely information outbreak. Many world leaders already. let the knowledge of history dissemination could have also failed to be proactive, Could there have been be its guide. Such a time is helped prevent the spread decisive and prompt with better measures to prevent the now because coronavirus of that viral condition that preemptive actions that could spread of this viral condition has and is still teaching the eventually got to 29 countries, have saved their countries and around the world? Was the world a harsh lesson on how infected thousands of people citizens from the rampaging right decision taken by the not to react to a dangerous and killed no less than coronavirus. I know that many Chinese government when health condition, capable of 74 people, before it was of them would wish they had the condition was just among becoming a pandemic in a 21st eventually contained in July, acted differently. a few people in Wuhan? Were century world. A 21st century 2003. While the world should world leaders decisive enough in which the world has indeed After that SARS incident, urgently work together to save in coming together to prevent become a global village in the International Health humanity by doing whatever this condition from becoming every sense of it. Regulations (IHR) document is necessary to contain this a global threat? Did the WHO The way this pandemic was revised in 2005 and the COVID-19, we must ensure rise up to the challenge and has spread is not really novel. WHO was granted powers to act this outbreak compels us to appropriately deliver on its It has happened before. In on information from non-state draw a line in the sand and say, mandate as the global apex fact, students of history will sources and the permission “Never again would we allow body safeguarding public recall that between 2003 to question member states any health condition become a health? and 2004, when there was a on disease outbreak in their global epidemic.” These, among other

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kin infections or disorders groups of viruses–DNA and RNA constitute a significant types–both of which are obligatory Sproportion of consultations intracellular parasites. in Clinics. However, there is Athlete’s foot paucity of data on the prevalence Athlete’s foot is a very common of dermatological lesions in infection. The fungus grows best in hospitalised children and adults in a warm, moist environment such Nigeria. as shoes, socks, swimming pools, According to the Nigerian locker rooms, and the floors of Journal of Clinical Practice, skin public showers. It is most common diseases are one of the three in the summer and in warm, humid common causes of morbidity in climates. It occurs more often in the developing countries of sub- people who wear tight shoes and Saharan Africa, along with malaria who use community baths and and diarrhoea. The development pools. of acute glomerulonephritis, Causes of athlete’s foot following skin infection with Group Athlete’s foot is caused by a A b-hemolytic streptococcus, microscopic fungus that lives on has been demonstrated to be a dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and risk factor for albuminuria and outer skin layers. There are at least haematuria in adult life. four kinds of fungus that can cause Although skin diseases do contagious bacterial skin infection legs is most commonly affected by athlete’s foot. The most common of not feature prominently in the most common among pre-school this infection, though cellulitis can these fungi is trichophytonrubrum. paediatric morbidity and mortality children. It is primarily caused occur on any part of the body. Symptoms of athlete’s foot trends reported from many by Staphylococcus aureus, and Fungal infections Signs and symptoms of athlete’s hospitals in Nigeria, it is essential sometimes by Streptococcus Fungal skin infections may foot vary from person to person. to pay attention to bacterial skin pyogenes. present as either a superficial or However, common symptoms infections complicating scabies * Erysipelas is an acute deep infection of the skin, hair, include: and insect bites, as poor personal streptococcus bacterial infection of and/or nails. They affect as of 2010 * Peeling, cracking, and hygiene practices, especially the deep epidermis with lymphatic about one billion people globally. scaling of the feet among children are believed to be spread. Parasitic infestations, stings, * Redness, blisters, or contributory to its prevalence in * Cellulitis is a diffuse and bites softening and breaking down of the the country. inflammation of connective tissue Parasitic infestations, stings, skin Basically, skin infection is an with severe inflammation of dermal and bites in humans are caused * Itching, burning, or both infection of the skin. Infection and subcutaneous layers of the by several groups of organisms Types of athlete’s foot of the skin is distinguished from skin. Cellulitis can be caused by belonging to the following phyla: * Interdigital: Also called dermatitis, which is inflammation normal skin flora or by exogenous Annelida, Arthropoda, Bryozoa, toe web infection, this is the most of the skin, but a skin infection can bacteria, and often occurs where Chordata, Cnidaria, Cyanobacteria, common kind of athlete’s foot. It result in skin inflammation. Skin the skin has previously been Echinodermata, Nemathelminthes, usually occurs between the two inflammation due to skin infection broken – cracks in the skin, cuts, Platyhelminthes, and Protozoa. smallest toes. This form of athlete’s is called infective dermatitis. blisters, burns, insect bites, surgical foot can cause itching, burning, wounds, intravenous drug injection Viral infections and scaling and the infection can Bacterial infections or sites of intravenous catheter Virus-related cutaneous * Impetigo is a highly insertion. Skin on the face or lower conditions are caused by two main continued on page 13

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New trends in managing skin infections under a microscope to confirm the continued from page 11 diagnosis. Boils spread to the sole of the foot. A boil is a skin infection that * Moccasin: A moccasin-type What are the starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. infection of athlete’s foot can begin symptoms of At first, the skin turns red in the with a minor irritation, dryness, ringworm? area of the infection, and a tender itching, or scaly skin. As it develops, Ringworm lump develops. After four to seven the skin may thicken and crack. appears as a red, days, the lump starts turning white This infection can involve the entire circular, flat sore as pus collects under the skin. sole of the foot and extend onto the that is sometimes The most common places for sides of the foot. accompanied by boils to appear are on the face, * Vesicular: This is the least scaly skin. There neck, armpits, shoulders, and common kind of athlete’s foot. may be more buttocks. When one forms on the The condition usually begins than one patch of eyelid, it is called a sty.If several with a sudden outbreak of fluid- ringworm on the boils appear in a group, this is filled blisters under the skin. Most skin, and patches a more serious type of infection or red rings of often, the blisters develop on the is often accompanied by scaly skin. called a carbuncle. underside of the foot. However, The outer part of the sore can be rash may overlap. It is possible to Causes of boils they also can appear between the raised while the skin in the middle have ringworm without having the Most boils are caused by a toes, on the heel, or on the top of appears normal. Ringworm can common red ring of rash. germ (staphylococcal bacteria). the foot. be unsightly, but it is usually not a How is ringworm diagnosed? This germ enters the body through Diagnosis of athlete’s foot serious condition. A doctor can diagnose tiny nicks or cuts in the skin or can Not all itchy, scaly feet have Is ringworm contagious? ringworm based on the appearance travel down the hair to the follicle athlete’s foot. The best way to Ringworm can spread by direct of the rash or reported symptoms. Symptoms of boils diagnose the infection is to have contact with infected people or He or she will ask about possible A boil starts as a hard, red, your doctor scrape the skin animals. It also may be spread on exposure to people or animals with painful lump usually about half an and examine the scales under a clothing or furniture. Heat and ringworm. The doctor may take inch in size. Over the next few days, microscope for evidence of fungus. humidity may help to spread the skin scrapings or samples from the lump becomes softer, larger, Treatment of athlete’s foot infection. the infected area and look at them Athlete’s foot is treated with continued on page 15 topical antifungal medication (a drug placed directly on the skin) in most cases. Severe cases may require oral drugs (those taken by mouth). The feet must be kept clean and dry since the fungus thrives in moist environments Jock itch Jock itch, also called tineacruris, is a common skin infection that is caused by a type of fungus called tinea. The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas of the body and as a result, infection can affect the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks. Infections occur more frequently in the summer or in warm, wet climates. Jock itch appears as a red, itchy rash that is often ring-shaped. Is jock itch contagious? Jock itch is only mildly contagious. The condition can be spread from person to person through direct contact or indirectly from objects carrying the fungus. Symptoms of jock itch * Itching, chafing, or burning in the groin or thigh * A circular, red, raised rash with elevated edges * Redness in the groin or thigh * Flaking, peeling, or cracking skin Diagnosis of jock itch In most cases, jock itch can be diagnosed based on the appearance and location of the rash. If you are not certain that the condition is jock itch, contact your doctor. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and will perform a physical exam. A microscopic exam of the scales of skin can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of itch In most cases, treatment of jock itch involves keeping the affected area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medications. Jock itch usually responds to over- the-counter antifungal creams and sprays. However, prescription antifungal creams are sometimes necessary. During treatment of jock itch, be sure to: * Wash and dry the affected area with a clean towel * Apply the antifungal cream, powder, or spray as directed * Change clothes – especially underwear – everyday. Ringworm Ringworm, also called tineacorporis, is not a worm, but a fungal infection of the skin. It can appear anywhere on the body and looks like a circular, red, flat sore. It Pharmanews App now available on Google Play store, Apple Store, Windows Store

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is disfiguring skin sores, lumps, or New trends in managing skin infections bumps that do not go away after several weeks or months. The skin continued from page 13 sores are pale-coloured. Nerve and more painful. Soon a pocket of of China, Egypt, damage can lead to: pus forms on the top of the boil. and India feared * Loss of feeling in the arms These are the signs of a severe leprosy was and legs infection: an incurable, * Muscle weakness * The skin around the boil mutilating, and It takes a very long time for becomes infected. It turns red, contagious symptoms to appear after coming painful, warm, and swollen. disease. into contact with the leprosy- * More boils may appear However, causing bacteria. Some people around the original one. leprosy is actually do not develop symptoms until * A fever may develop. not highly 20 or more years later. The time * Lymph nodes may become contagious. between contact with the bacteria swollen. You can catch it and the appearance of symptoms When to seek medical care: only if you come is called the incubation period. * You start running a fever. into close and Leprosy’s long incubation period * You have swollen lymph repeated contact makes it very difficult for doctors nodes. with nose and to determine when and where a * The skin around the boil mouth droplets person with leprosy originally got turns red or red streaks appear. of its appearance. You can make a from someone with untreated, sick. warm compress by soaking a wash severe leprosy. Children are more Forms of leprosy * The pain becomes severe. cloth in warm water and squeezing likely to get leprosy than adults. Leprosy is characterised * The boil does not drain. out the excess moisture. Today, more than 200,000 according to the number and type * A second boil appears. * When the boil starts draining, people worldwide are infected of skin sores you have. Specific * You have a heart murmur, wash it with an antibacterial soap with leprosy, according to the symptoms and your treatment diabetes, any problem with your until all the pus is gone. Apply a World Health Organisation, most of depend on the type of leprosy you immune system, or use immune medicated ointment and a bandage. them in Africa and Asia. About 100 have. The types are: suppressing drugs (for example, Continue to wash the infected area people are diagnosed with leprosy * Tuberculoid: A mild, less corticosteroids or chemotherapy) two to three times a day and to use in the U.S. every year, mostly in the severe form of leprosy. People and you develop a boil. warm compresses until the wound South, California, Hawaii, and some with this type have only one or a Boils usually do not need heals. U.S. territories. few patches of flat, pale-coloured immediate emergency attention. * Do not pop the boil with Causes of leprosy skin (paucibacillary leprosy). The If you are in poor health and you a needle. This could make the Leprosy is caused by a slow- affected area of skin may feel develop high fever and chills infection worse. growing type of bacteria called numb because of nerve damage along with the infection, a trip to Leprosy Mycobacteriumleprae (M. leprae). underneath. Tuberculoid leprosy a hospital’s emergency room is Leprosy is an infectious disease Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s is less contagious than other forms. needed. that causes severe, disfiguring skin disease, after the scientist who * Lepromatous: A more severe Boils treatment – home sores and nerve damage in the discovered M. leprae in 1873. form of the disease. It involves remedies arms and legs. The disease has Symptoms of leprosy widespread skin bumps and * Apply warm compresses been around since the beginning Leprosy primarily affects the rashes (multibacillary leprosy), and soak the boil in warm water. of time, often surrounded by skin and the nerves outside the numbness, and muscle weakness. This will decrease the pain and terrifying, negative stigma and tales brain and spinal cord, called the The nose, kidneys, and male help draw the pus to the surface. of leprosy patients being shunned peripheral nerves. It may also reproductive organs may also be Once the boil comes to a head, it as outcasts. At one time or another, strike the eyes and the thin tissue affected. It is more contagious than will burst with repeated soakings. outbreaks of leprosy have affected, lining the inside of the nose. tuberculoid leprosy. This usually occurs within 10 days and panicked, people on every continent. The oldest civilisations The main symptom of leprosy continued on page 17

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carbuncles New trends in managing skin infections See your doctor if a boil or boils do not drain and heal after a continued from page 15 few days of home treatment; or if * Borderline: People with this you suspect you have a carbuncle. type of leprosy have symptoms Also, seek medical evaluation for of both the tuberculoid and a carbuncle that develops on your lepromatous forms. face, near your eyes or nose, or on Diganosis of leprosy your spine. Also see a doctor for a If you have a suspicious skin carbuncle that becomes very large sore, your doctor will remove a or painful. small sample of the abnormal skin Your doctor may cut and drain and send it to a lab to be examined. the carbuncle, and ensure that This is called a skin biopsy. A skin all the pus has been removed by smear test may also be done. With washing the area with a sterile paucibacillary leprosy, no bacteria solution. Some of the pus can be will be detected. In contrast, collected and sent to a lab to identify bacteria are expected to be found the bacteria causing the infection on a skin smear test from a person and check for susceptibility to with multibacillary leprosy. antibiotics. Treatment of leprosy If the carbuncle is completely Leprosy can be cured. In drained, antibiotics are usually the last two decades, more than unnecessary. But treatment with 14 million people with leprosy antibiotics may be necessary in have been cured. The World cases such as: Health Organisation provides * When MRSA is involved and free treatment for all people with drainage is incomplete leprosy. * There is surrounding soft- Treatment depends on the type Cause of Carbuncles Superficial carbuncles – which tissue infection (cellulitis) of leprosy that you have. Antibiotics Most carbuncles are caused by have multiple openings on the * A person has a weakened are used to treat the infection. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, skin’s surface – are less likely to immune system Long-term treatment with two or which inhabit the skin surface, leave a deep scar. Deep carbuncles * An infection has spread to more antibiotics is recommended, throat, and nasal passages. These are more likely to cause significant other parts of the body usually from six months to a year. bacteria can cause infection by scarring. Other carbuncle Depending on severity, most People with severe leprosy may entering the skin through a hair symptoms include fever, fatigue, carbuncles heal within two to three need to take antibiotics longer. follicle, small scrape, or puncture, and a feeling of general sickness. weeks after medical treatment. However, antibiotics cannot reverse although sometimes there is no Swelling may occur in nearby tissue Impetigo nerve damage. obvious point of entry. and lymph nodes, especially lymph Impetigo is a highly contagious Anti-inflammatory drugs are Filled with pus – a mixture of nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin. bacterial skin infection. It can used to control swelling related to old and white blood cells, bacteria, appear anywhere on the body but leprosy. This may include steroids, and dead skin cells — carbuncles Complications of carbuncles usually attacks exposed areas. such as prednisone.Patients must drain before they’re able to Sometimes, carbuncles are Children tend to get it on the face, with leprosy may also be given heal. Carbuncles are more likely caused by methicillin-resistant especially around the nose and thalidomide, a potent medication than boils to leave scars. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) mouth, and sometimes on the arms that suppresses the body’s immune An active boil or carbuncle bacteria, and require treatment with or legs. The infected areas appear system. It helps treat leprosy skin is contagious: the infection can potent prescription antibiotics if the in plaques, ranging from dime to nodules. Thalidomide is known to spread to other parts of the lesions are not drained properly. quarter size, starting as tiny blisters cause severe, life-threatening birth person’s body or to other people In rare cases, bacteria from that break and expose moist, red defects and should never be taken through skin-to-skin contact or the a carbuncle can escape into the skin. After a few days the infected by pregnant women. sharing of personal items. So it’s bloodstream and cause serious area is covered with a grainy, important to practice appropriate complications, including sepsis and golden crust that gradually spreads Leprosy complications self-care measures, like keeping infections in other parts of the body at the edges. Without treatment, leprosy can the area clean and covered, until such as the lung, bones, joints, heart, In extreme cases, the infection permanently damage your skin, the carbuncle drains and heals. blood, and central nervous system. invades a deeper layer of skin and nerves, arms, legs, feet, and eyes. Carbuncles require medical Sepsis is an overwhelming develops into ecthyma, a deeper Complications of leprosy can treatment to prevent or manage infection of the body that is a form of the disease. Ecthyma forms include: complications, promote healing, medical emergency and can be small, pus-filled bumps with a crust * Blindness or glaucoma. and minimise scarring. Contact fatal if left untreated. Symptoms much darker and thicker than that * Disfiguration of the face your doctor if you have a boil or include chills, a spiking fever, rapid of ordinary impetigo. Ecthyma can (including permanent swelling, boils that have persisted for more heart rate, and a feeling of being be very itchy, and scratching the bumps, and lumps). than a few days. extremely ill. irritated area spreads the infection * Erectile dysfunction and Home treatment for quickly. Left untreated, the sores infertility in men. carbuncles may cause permanent scars and * Kidney failure. Risk factors for carbuncles The cardinal rule is to avoid pigment changes. * Muscle weakness that leads Older age, obesity, poor squeezing or irritating a carbuncle, to claw-like hands or an inability to hygiene, and poor overall health which increases the risk of The gravest potential flex the feet. are associated with carbuncles. complications and severe scarring. complication of impetigo is post- * Permanent damage to the Other risk factors for carbuncles streptococcal glomerulonephritis, inside of the nose, which can lead include: Warm compresses may a severe kidney disease that occurs to nosebleeds and a chronic, stuffy * Chronic skin conditions, promote the drainage and healing following a strep infection in less nose. which damage the skin’s protective of carbuncles. Gently soak the than 1 per cent of cases, mainly in * Permanent damage to the barrier carbuncle in warm water, or apply children. The most common cause peripheral nerves, the nerves * Diabetes a clean, warm, moist washcloth for of impetigo is Staphylococcus outside the brain and spinal cord, * Kidney disease 20 minutes several times per day. aureus. However, another bacteria including those in your arms, legs, * Liver disease Similar strategies include covering source is group A streptococcus. and feet. * Any condition or treatment the carbuncle with a clean, dry cloth These bacteria lurk everywhere. Nerve damage can lead to a that weakens the immune system and gently applying a heating pad It is easier for a child with dangerous loss of feeling. A person Carbuncles also can occur or hot water bottle for 20 minutes an open wound or fresh scratch with leprosy-related nerve damage in otherwise healthy, fit, younger several times per day. After each to contract impetigo. Other skin- may not feel pain when the hands, people, especially those who use, washcloths or cloths should be related problems, such as eczema, legs, or feet are cut, burned, or live together in group settings washed in hot water and dried at a body lice, insect bites, fungal otherwise injured.Approximately 1 such as college dorms and share high temperature. infections, and various other forms to 2 million people worldwide are items such as bed linens, towels, Washing the carbuncle and of dermatitis can make a person permanently disabled because of or clothing. In addition, people of covering the area with a sterile susceptible to impetigo. leprosy. any age can develop carbuncles bandage also may promote drainage Most people get this highly Carbuncles from irritations or abrasions to and healing and help prevent the infectious disease through physical A carbuncle is a red, swollen, the skin surface caused by tight infection from spreading. Over- contact with someone who has it, and painful cluster of boils that clothing, shaving, or insect bites, the-counter medications such as or from sharing the same clothes, are connected to each other under especially in body areas with acetaminophen or ibuprofen can bedding, towels, or other objects. the skin. A boil (or furuncle) is an heavy perspiration. help relieve the pain of an inflamed The very nature of childhood, which infection of a hair follicle that has Symptoms of carbuncles carbuncle. includes lots of physical contact a small collection of pus (called an The boils that collect to form It is important to thoroughly and large-group activities, makes abscess) under the skin. Usually carbuncles usually start as red, wash your hands after touching a children the primary victims and single, a carbuncle is most likely painful bumps. The carbuncle carbuncle. Launder any clothing, carriers of impetigo. to occur on a hairy area of the fills with pus and develops white bedding, and towels that have Pilonidal cyst body such as the back or nape of or yellow tips that weep, ooze, or touched a carbuncle and avoid A pilonidal cyst occurs at the the neck. But a carbuncle also can crust. Over a period of several sharing bedding, clothing, or other bottom of the tailbone (coccyx) develop in other areas of the body days, many untreated carbuncles personal items. and can become infected and such as the buttocks, thighs, groin, rupture, discharging a creamy filled with pus. Once infected, the and armpits. white or pink fluid. Medical treatments for continued on page 19 Pharmanews App now available on Google Play store, Apple Store, Windows Store

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The doctor may find the following New trends in managing skin infections conditions: continued from page 17 * Tenderness, redness, and technical term is pilonidal abscess. swelling between the cheeks of the Pilonidal abscesses look like a buttocks just above the anus large pimple at the bottom of the * Fever tailbone, just above the crack of the * Increased white blood cells buttocks. It is more common in men on a blood sample (not always than in women. It usually happens taken) in young people up into the fourth * Inflammation of the decade of life. surrounding skin Causes Home remedies Most doctors think that ingrown Early in an infection of a hairs cause pilonidal cysts. pilonidal cyst, the redness, swelling, Pilonidal means “nest of hair.” It is and pain may be minimal. Sitting in common to find hair follicles inside a warm tub may decrease the pain the cyst.Another theory is that and may decrease the chance that pilonidal cysts appear after trauma the cyst will develop to the point of to that region of the body. During spine or lanced, to improve. Like other requiring incision and drainage. World War II, more than 80,000 * Swelling at the bottom of the boils, it does not improve with soldiers developed pilonidal spine antibiotics. If any of the above Medical treatment for a cysts that required a hospital stay. * Redness at the bottom of the symptoms occur, consult a doctor. pilonidal cyst People thought the cysts were due spine Exams and tests Antibiotics do not heal a to irritation from riding in bumpy * Draining pus pilonidal cyst. Doctors have any of Jeeps. For a while, the condition * Fever A doctor can diagnose a a number of procedures available, was actually called “Jeep disease.” When to seek medical care pilonidal cyst by taking a history including the following treatments. Symptoms for a pilonidal cyst (asking about the patient’s history * The preferred technique The symptoms of a pilonidal A pilonidal cyst is an abscess and symptoms regarding the cyst) for a first pilonidal cyst is incision cyst include: or boil that needs to be drained and performing a physical exam. and drainage of the cyst, removing * Pain at the bottom of the the hair follicles and packing the cavity with gauze. Advantage- Simple procedure done under local anaesthesia Disadvantage – Frequent changing of gauze packing until the cyst heals, sometimes up to three weeks * Marsupialisation – This procedure involves incision and draining, removal of pus and hair, and sewing of the edges of the fibrous tract to the wound edges to make a pouch. Advantages – Outpatient surgery under local anaesthesia, minimises the size and depth of the wound without the need to pack gauze in the wound Disadvantages – Requires about six weeks to heal, needs a doctor trained in the technique * Another option is incision and drainage with immediate closing of the wound. Advantages – Wound completely closed immediately following surgery without need for gauze Disadvantages – High rate of recurrence (it is hard to remove the entire cyst, which might come back). Typically performed in an operating room, it requires a specially trained surgeon. Skin and molluscum contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that causes either single or multiple raised, pearl-like bumps (papules) on the skin. It is a chronic infection and lesions may persist from a few months to a few years. However, most cases resolve in six to nine months. Causes Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a virus (the molluscumcontagiosum virus) that is part of the pox virus family. The virus is contagious through direct contact and is more common in children. However, the virus also can be spread by sexual contact and can occur in people with compromised immune systems. Molluscumcontagiosum can spread on a single individual through scratching and rubbing. Symptoms Common locations for the molluscumcontagiosum papules are on the face, trunk, and limbs of children and on the genitals, abdomens, and inner thighs of adults. The condition usually results

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 18 3/19/2020 11:57:41 AM Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Disease of the Month 19 * Certain medications New trends in managing skin infections Medical science doesn’t understand why the virus becomes continued from page 18 reactivated in some people and not in papules that: in others. * Are generally painless, but Chickenpox can itch Chickenpox (varicella), a * Are small (2 to 5 millimetre viral illness characterised by a diameter) very itchy red rash, is one of the * Have a dimple in the centre most common infectious diseases * Are initially firm, dome- of childhood. It is usually mild in shaped, and flesh-coloured children, but adults run the risk * Become softer with time of serious complications, such as * May turn red and drain over bacterial pneumonia. time People who have had * Have a central core of white, chickenpox almost always develop waxy material lifetime immunity (meaning you Molluscum contagiosum can’t get it again). However, the usually disappears spontaneously virus remains dormant in the body, over a period of months to years and it can reactivate later in life and in people who have normal cause shingles. immune systems. In people who Because the chickenpox virus have AIDS or other conditions scarring. back, or face, but it may also affect can pass from a pregnant woman to that affect the immune system, Prevention your neck, limbs, or lower back. her unborn child, possibly causing the lesions associated with To prevent molluscum The area can be very painful, itchy, birth defects, doctors often advise molluscumcontagiosum can be contagiosum, follow these tips: and tender. After one to two weeks, women considering pregnancy extensive and especially chronic. * Avoid direct contact with the blisters heal and form scabs, to confirm their immunity with a Diagnosis anyone who may have the condition. although the pain often continues. blood test. Diagnosis of molluscum * Treat underlying eczema in The deep pain that follows after contagiosum is based on the children. the infection has run its course is Causes of chickenpox distinctive appearance of the known as postherpetic neuralgia. Chickenpox is caused by the lesion. If the diagnosis is in * Remain sexually abstinent It can continue for months or even herpes zoster virus, also known question, a doctor can confirm or have a monogamous sexual years, especially in older people. as the varicella zoster virus. It is the diagnosis with a skin biopsy relationship with an uninfected The incidence of shingles and of spread by droplets from a sneeze — the removal of a portion of skin individual. (Male and female postherpetic neuralgia rises with or cough, or by contact with the for closer examination. If there is condoms cannot offer full protection increasing age. More than 50 per clothing, bed linens, or oozing any concern about related health as the virus can be found on areas cent of cases occur in people over blisters of an infected person. The problems, a doctor can check for not covered by the condom.) 60. Shingles usually occurs only onset of symptoms is seven to 21 underlying disorders. Shingles once, although it has been known days after exposure. The disease is Treatment Shingles (herpes zoster) to recur in some people. most contagious a day before the Molluscum contagiosum is results from a reactivation of the Causes of shingles rash appears and up to seven days usually self-limited, so treatment virus that also causes chickenpox. Shingles arises from varicella- after, or until the rash is completely is not always necessary. However, With shingles, the first thing you zoster, the same virus that causes dry and scabbed. individual lesions may be removed may notice is a tingling sensation chickenpox. Following a bout of by scraping or freezing. Topical or pain on one side of your body chickenpox, the virus lies dormant Reports compiled by Temitope medications, such as those used to or face. Painful skin blisters then in the spinal nerve cells. But it can Obayendo with addition information remove warts, may also be helpful erupt on only one side of your face be reactivated years later when the from webmd.com/skin-problems- in lesion removal. or body along the distribution of immune system is suppressed by: and-treatments and wikipedia.org/ Note: The surgical removal of nerves on the skin. Typically, this * Physical or emotional trauma wiki/Skin_infection individual lesions may result in occurs along your chest, abdomen, * A serious illness

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 19 3/19/2020 11:57:46 AM } 20 }News Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 PSN, APIN presidents bemoan COVID-19 impact on pharma industry will certainly be continued from front page acute shortage of raw materials and other inputs, pharmaceutical adding that imported finished products in Nigeria pharmaceutical medicines from and Nigerians India, accounting for between will be in serious 70 to 80 per cent of drugs used trouble,” Obi said. by Nigerians, are also in serious While jeopardy because India depends commending on China for the raw materials to the Lagos State produce them. government for According to the PSN president, its efforts so far “Nigeria depends on China for in preventing both finished products and raw the spread of materials and even the India we coronavirus since buy finished products from buys the first case of raw materials from China. We have the Italian man been talking about this for a very was discovered, long time. We said we should do the APIN president something about drug security urged the federal for the nation. In 2017, it was our government annual national conference theme. to step up We said drug security should be surveillance at the seen as a national security issue. Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa Pharm. (Sir) Nnamdi Obi PSN president nation’s borders “The pharmaceutical industry APIN president and international is critical to the nation because including Nigeria, the country and was already causing serious airports to ensure people with the drug is as critical as the food we urgently needs to step up its problem for us in the industry condition are not allowed to come eat. We have to act now and put the campaign to prevent the spread before coronavirus outbreak. With into the country. necessary things in place to ensure of the viral condition and avert coronavirus the problem is now The Embassy boss also the pharmaceutical industry is exposing millions of the citizens to compounded. tasked the government to begin able to produce and provide the danger. “The fact is that a great to focus more on important issues medicines needed by Nigerians. It The APIN president noted that percentage of the medicines we affecting the nation, noting that is coronavirus today, another thing prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, use in Nigeria come from India. a situation whereby the nation’s can happen tomorrow. We have to Nigeria was already experiencing However, India relies on China for pharmaceutical manufacturing pay attention to what is important,”. shortage of pharmaceutical raw materials and machineries. The industries depend on importation APIN president, Sir Obi, who products and pharmaceutical raw raw materials for antidepressants, for all manufacturing inputs, aside is also the managing director/ materials because of challenges analgesics and most antibiotics all from water,is unhealthy for the CEO, Embassy Pharmaceutical & faced in clearing consignments at come from China. sector. Chemicals Limited, explained that Apapa port. He disclosed that, most “India depends heavily Nigeria, he said, should have Nigeria is in the present situation times, it takes about three months to on China for the Active an industrial complex where because the world is now a global clear pharmaceutical consignments Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) pharmaceutical raw materials village, noting that the outbreak discharged at the port, adding that and intermediaries for these drugs are produced and also ensure of coronavirus, which started in the coronavirus outbreak has now and with the problem in China, that there are alternative ports to Wuhan, China, has shown that further compounded the problem. getting these inputs is impossible the Apapa Port in Lagos to ease whatever happens anywhere in the “Bringing in finished now. business operation in the country, world can affect anyone all over the pharmaceutical products and “So, in the next couple of not just for pharmaceutical but world. pharmaceutical raw materials weeks or months, if this situation other businesses. Obi said that with the virus for manufacturing through the with coronavirus persists, there now spread to over 47 countries, Apapa port has been very difficult

Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 20 3/19/2020 11:58:02 AM } Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 } Body Language 21 Choosing your medrep the “write” way (2) By Dipo MacJob recruitment process with a tie. ctually, it is what we do not value to you in your organisation ? Which of them do you think is not say that matters most. How Below are three handwriting likely to struggle meeting up with can we possibly place a samples of three prospective deadlines for report submission? A Candidate A, B or C? value on a skill that can help us medical representatives who know so much about another had made it to the finals of the person within the “speed of light” even if they do not say Candidate (A) Handwriting a word. Really? You heard me Sample Candidate (C) Handwriting right. Graphology (handwriting Sample analysis) is a skillset that reveals informations about the social skills of the individual - the emotional outlay, coping mechanism, fears and defences, drives and motivations, intellectual prowess etc. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C) in the United States has declared graphological analysis (handwriting analysis) as the most unbiased personality assessment Dipo MacJob tool available . It is about the (Dr Write) fastest and most cost-effective method because all you need If you haven’t attended any to effect this is by employing the is a handwriting sample of the training course on handwriting right people the “write” way. candidate. analysis (graphology) these This year 2020, if you must There are so many denials that samples will seem useless to get it right, you must not ignore take place during job interviews you because you cannot get doing things the “write” way. In because the candidate is some Candidate (B) Handwriting any “data” from them. Yet, with the next edition, I will be sharing way desperate to get the new Sample good knowledge, you do not with you one very important trait job, medical representative for require up to a minute to figure that typifies a good medical rep example. That is because of all out that information. This further and a simple way of finding that the “excipient” benefits that underscores why we must do out in a handwriting sample come with the job of a medical things differently in this new of prospective med reps. Till I representative. What if I told you decade. come your way next time, this is that the knowledge of graphology You have often heard the Dr ‘Write’ saying STAY ON THE (handwriting analysis) can help you saying “slow and steady wins WRITE TRACK. gain insight into a medrep that is the race” but that has changed to most likely (please mark my words) “fast and steady wins the space”. going to handle the company’s car That’s right! I am talking about carelessly, thereby incurring more the market space. Your brand is Instagram (@dipomacjob) losses for the organization? Would going nowhere if it has no space [email protected] this kind of skillset be something of in the marketplace. One key way (07062456737 )(Text)

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 21 3/19/2020 11:58:08 AM 22 Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No.3

Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

spread March 2020 .indd 4 3/19/2020 11:48:46 AM } } Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Nursing Practice 23 2020 year of nurses and midwives: Making universal health coverage a reality By Comrade Abdrafiu Alani Adeniji humbly bring good tidings through Universal Healthcare services in every and solidarity message to Coverage (UHC). At the part of the globe. Iall nurses and midwives in centre of the struggle for the WHO stressed that Nigeria, as we celebrate Year attainment of UHC are the “they are often the 2020 as the year of nurses and nurses and midwives, who are first and only safe midwives. This is not a mere often the unsung heroes and and reliable point coincidence but an evolving heroines of the health sector. of care in their agenda and a divinely- Nurses and midwives communities.” driven circumstance which fundamentally are the peoples’ The WHO encompasses global actions, advocates on health affairs, has declared the objectives and programmes to and they serve as the pivot year 2020 as the resuscitate the spirit and letters around which other healthcare Year of the Nurse of that great phenomenon, professionals revolve to and Midwife. The nursing. deliver their services. While essence of this is to I felicitate with the entire the importance of nurses and reposition nursing nursing and midwifery midwives is echoed across and midwifery community for our selfless literatures, their roles remain globally towards services. I urge us to redouble largely misunderstood or the attainment of the and strongly reinvigorate our criminally misapplied and SDGs, especially the numerous efforts at repositioning misinterpreted for cynical health-related SDGs. the health sector and providing motives. This advocacy is to accessible, affordable and Often the responsible secure and enable quality healthcare services to agents do this to cover their the government to the Nigerian populace. inadequacies or to cover lead the way in the It is in the realisation of our the glittering features of attainment of UHC numerous vital roles that the the nursing profession. Our delivery services global community decided to voices are often submerged by empowering celebrate and give pride of and our roles are impeded nurses and place to nurses and midwives by unfriendly policies midwives. worldwide, which further and conspiracies gives credence and support to which have inflicted a lot of Effects of our great works, towards the retrogressive tendencies, not birds are of avian genealogy. attainment of welfare for the less- only on the professionals, shortage of nurses and This is not contesting the privileged, women, children and but painfully on the services midwives at PHCs point that these other middle those who can neither afford that the Nigerian citizens are The collapse of Nigeria’s level health workforce have medical tourism nor afford entitled to. primary healthcare centres roles to complement the work private healthcare services. Interestingly, no health (PHC) system was the resultant of the adequately trained policy can succeed without effect of the exit of nurse and professionals; but the global Nurses and midwives as the involvement of nurses and midwives from the PHCs, with best practice is not to disparage, citizens’ health advocates midwives. The Sustainable their replacement by lower level relegate or displace the original Nursing and midwifery Development Goals (SDGs) health cadre who had suboptimal owners of health professional services are the hope of the or Universal Health Coverage training and skill. Painfully, today, services for those that should Nigerian masses, whose (UHC) cannot be achieved with we are in more precarious health assist them. advocates we are. As advocates the relegation of nurses and situations than what it was before Despite this onslaught, and solicitors for the right midwives. It is in realisation the mass production of CHEWS, there is an assurance of the to health of the citizenry, as of this that the world Health which were aimed at substituting preparedness of all the sectors fundamentally stipulated in Organisation (WHO) leading nurses and midwives in primary of nursing services that we are Article 25 of the 1948 Universal others like the International healthcare in Nigeria. more than ever before resolved Declaration of Human Right by Confederation of Midwives, MDG goals were met in to revamp the words and letter the United Nations, this mission International Council of Nurses most countries that invested in of Florence Nightingale in calls on all nurses and midwives and Burdett Foundation, as nursing and midwifery human knowledge, skills, expertise, to vigorously pursue the goal. well as the United Nations resources development for attitude and practice to work Nigeria, as part of the global Fund for Population Activities health workforce. No matter relentlessly to reclaim the community, is witnessing various (UNFPA) identified the vital the resources pumped into lost glories of our cherished challenges in the attainment of roles nurses and midwives empowering a butterfly, it cannot health sector. (Continues next efficient healthcare services play in providing healthcare fly as high as a bird. Butterflies belong to insect family, while the edition…) Experts decry high mortality rates of under 15 in Sub-Saharan Africa continued from page 5 He warned parents and guardians to be careful about the freedom they allow teenagers to enjoy, stating that corruption, insecurity, moral decadence and other societal ills are at the zenith among the age group. “Teenagers and adolescents should not be left to too much freedom, because we see them as leaders of tomorrow, and with the several challenges around us today, their future may be affected if they are not well guided and tutored”, he cautioned. Dr Charles Owosisi, health specialist, UNICEF Nigeria, highlighted the rights of a child as contained in the Child’s Rights Convention (CRC), stating that any child less than 18 years needs to be aware of his L-R: Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde right and demand for it, adding Salako; Dr Jide Idris, former commissioner for health, Lagos State; and Prof. Oluwatoyin that this will enhance societal A. Odeku, dean of Pharmacy Faculty, University of Ibadan, at a conference recently held at respect for these rights. NIMR, Yaba, Lagos. Pharmanews App now available on Google Play store, Apple Store, Windows Store

Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 23 3/19/2020 11:58:12 AM 24 Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3

Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 24 3/19/2020 11:58:18 AM } Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 }Interview 25 Biomedical set to launch ultramodern syrup factory – Olojo iomedical Limited is a wholly private indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution in Nigeria by ensuring that tax company that is widely acclaimed for its leading role in the production and marketing of intravenous regulations and fiscal policies are infusion in Nigeria with its BioFLEX range of products. The company is, indeed, reputed as the harmonised to be friendly to local B manufacturers as is being done in birthplace of intravenous fluids in Nigeria and West Coast Africa. the progressive countries. Interest rates for local In this exclusive interview with Pharmanews’ Peter Ogbonna, the marketing manager of the company, manufacturers should be made Pharm. Olojo Watson, disclosed that the company is making final preparations towards commissioning near zero and the tax on imported its ultramodern syrup factory that will enable it to launch high quality oral formulations and medical goods with local substitutes should consumables for the benefit of the Nigeria healthcare industry. He also spoke about the challenges of be increased, so as to discourage local pharmaceutical manufacturing and how government can assist indigenous players to overcome importation and ensure quantum these impediments. Excerpts. growth in the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Please tell us briefly about It is also important to note that Biomedical and its strategic regulatory authorities have to be focus for 2020: empowered and well-funded to Biomedical Limited is a wholly play their statutory roles. private indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing, marketing and How would you describe the distribution company - now under state of healthcare services in the Bradford Group. The company Nigeria, especially as it relates is into production and marketing to drug distribution? of intravenous infusions, popularly Our drug distribution system known as the BioFLEX range. In a is still largely uncoordinated. The very short while, we will officially few private sector distributive declare open our ultramodern, outlets are concentrated in urban state-of-the-art syrup factory and areas, while the rural areas where launch, our oral formulations and about 70 per cent of Nigerians medical consumables. dwell are neglected. Indeed, some Also, it is important to note of the gains of recent years made that Biomedical will be looking in healthcare delivery may be forward to being actively engaged negatively affected, if efforts are with other smaller pharma sector not made to stem the unfavourable players for contract manufacturing trend in the drug distribution deals in our new syrup factory, situation. at a conversion cost that is Almost on a daily basis, unprecedented in this clime. cases of proliferation of fake and We are dedicated to adulterated drugs abound. The manufacturing premium quality regulatory authorities need to do a and affordable pharmaceuticals lot more to stem this tide. for the benefit of our citizens. The company currently has 16 product What message do you have lines, majorly intravenous infusions for your customers this year? (IVFs); and another 30 product We thank and appreciate our lines, mainly syrup lines coming up valued customers immensely - all being manufactured, marketed for their patronage. There has and distributed in the country. never been a more exciting time Indeed, Biomedical has a good to associate with them as a trade understanding of the local business partners. We’re shaping the future landscape and the Nigerian pharma of our operations and business, and market. The BioFLEX brand (of the way we see it, the possibilities IVFs) is already more than 30 years Pharm. Olojo Watson for all of us are endless. old, and its entrepreneurial spirit We want everything we do to burns as brightly today as ever. challenges, such as infrastructural government can do to help meet the highest standards. At the We take great pride in this brand, deficit. Power supply to effectively the operations of local top of that list is how we recruit the people behind them and the support manufacturing operations pharmaceutical manufacturers? our customers and trade channel celebrations they’re part of. is virtually non-existent in this part Government can do quite a lot partners, nurturing their loyalty, At Biomedical Limited, we of the world. So we have to depend to support local pharmaceutical consistently ensuring they are recognise the ever-changing on private sources of power supply manufacturers. They should work satisfied and that our business needs of the healthcare givers and this in turn increases the cost of harder towards infrastructural partnership with them is mutually and are poised to meet them. We local production and cost of doing development in this country and rewarding and profitable. also realise the need for simplicity business in Nigeria. stop to pay lip service to issues At Biomedical, we owe it to of drug administration, dosing, There are other challenges, surrounding infrastructural decay; them to spend real time, effort and access to affordable high quality including unstable government especially as it relates to local expertise talking, reading, hearing therapeutic agents, as well as policies, poor financial support for manufacturing industries. and absorbing their feedback pharmacovigillance and delivering local manufacturers, high interest The development of the - largely seeing our business on value proposition. rate from lenders, as well as a petrochemical industry is key to through their very own eyes, as poorly developed petrochemical the survival of local pharmaceutical our mirror on how we have fared As a local pharmaceutical industry – which makes it difficult manufacturers because that is where so far; so we can support, serve manufacturer, what are some of to source for raw material locally. we get our active pharmaceutical and reward them better for their the challenges you are facing? ingredients (APIs)/raw materials patronage and loyalty in 2020. We are faced with a number of What do you think the from. Government should improve on the ease of doing business We hope to get LS Scientific on the lips of every pharma company - MD continued from page 32 the pharma sector. We took this of quality control and spread the Association of Nigeria (PMG- plans to further be of service to decision for obvious reasons. One payment over some time to ease MAN). the sector? is because we want the drugs their burdens because we know What products and services I want to tell them that they people take to match up with the that it takes a lot of capital to set does LS Scientific have for those are not alone. We have identified quality of the food they consume. up a pharma company, while the in the core pharma sector? the challenges and we are ready We have discovered that a larger return has not been encouraging. Our company offers a portfolio to partner with them by giving percentage of the drugs we So, we are addressing that need of innovative scientific products them the kind of service that they consume are not produced here; from the angle of quality control, and a range of services, in line with can always consider as being so we want to ensure that our local good training programme, easy American and European standards, obtained from the advanced capacity is increased, while the payment plan and others, which for including chemicals, calibration countries of the world and we quality also compares with what is us is not about money making, but service, equipment, installation have resolved to offer them the obtainable in the developed world. impacting on the sector by ensuring and commissioning. Others are best quality service that will As part of our packages, we that the products that comes out of equipment and instrument service, help them save money from have some level of discounts the country are top quality drugs. laboratory solutions and services, production cost. We also want to exclusively for the pharma sector, Presently, we have about training, laboratory design and grow together and ensure top to support them. We are giving 20 pharma companies that we construction, as well as equipment quality of all drugs that will be 30 per cent discount, which is the are dealing with and we have and instruments for the pharma coming out of this country, so we highest we have ever given to a good relationship with the sector. want them to reach to us and it any company. We are giving them Pharmaceutical Manufacturers What’s your message to the would be win-win for us all. the opportunity to buy products Group of the Manufacturers pharma industry as the company

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Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 }Health & Wealth 27 Seven habits of highly successful sales professionals By Pharm. Sesan Kareem your sales target. Use your imagination here is no business success to see the actualisation of your goals. . without sales success. Innovation qualification and same training Believe in your ability to achieve your Tand good marketing lead to sales perform differently. One salesperson goals. growth. In order to achieve remarkable can sell three times more than another business revenue, profit and growth, in the same year. They are success-driven it is pertinent to understand what You see, good personality, Highly successful sales separates highly successful sales confidence, product knowledge, time professionals are success-driven professionals from the rest of the pack management and hard work are the because they have clear expectations and what habits incredibly successful effects, not the causes; they have more of what they want to achieve and where sales executives and managers have to do with who you are and what you do they want to be in the future. In the developed and mastered. than what you know. pursuit of their goals, they are able For questions or comments, mail When considering this, here are Here are seven habits of highly to develop the achievement drive or text sesankareem2@gmail. major factors to remember: successful sales professionals and how required for success. Because they com/08072983163 Incredibly successful sales you can develop them: believe in themselves and their ability professionals have developed good to turn their goals to results, they often of their ideas, products or services. habits that stand them out in the midst They are goal-oriented tap into their innate potentials and find They have mastered the ability to of the multitudes. Just like any habit, Highly successful sales ways to turn their invisible goals into study their clients’ emotional state, these habits can be learnt, developed professionals set SMART sales goals. visible results. They are determined, body language, facial expression, fear, and applied. They have goal clarity. They know committed, dedicated and resourceful worry and expectation, and use them Sales profession is a challenging exactly what sales they have to make in the pursuit of sales excellence. to their advantage. profession but is also pretty weekly and monthly to achieve their Successful sales executives and Respected sales professionals rewarding for those who are goal- sales target for the year. They don’t just professionals have developed the are those who use their emotions to oriented, success-driven, emotionally set written goals; they also have a plan right psychology to overcome sales their benefit, not the other way. They stable, customer-focused, great of action on how to achieve their goals. rejection, as well as temporary failure are conscious enough to identify, communicators and master They know the number of prospects to and setbacks. They have good self- interpret, understand and manage prospecting and closing. see weekly and the quantity of products image and self-confidence and are their emotions and their prospects’ Becoming a highly successful to sell weekly. They often review their ready to pay the price of success in state of mind. They are always cool, sales professional is not a short-term performance on a weekly basis and re- advance. calm and relaxed. project but a long-term commitment. adjust their course of action until they Make up your mind to become a Start paying serious attention to Therefore, developing habits of get their desired results. leader in your company and industry. your emotional state. Document on how successful sales professionals will They attached their goals to Read books, listen to audio messages, you feel when you are in front of your guarantee success in the long run in genuine reasons that will motivate attend seminars and work with a coach prospect. Identify how you can face your business. them to keep striving hard and never or mentor that will help you realise, rejection and difficult prospects in a I often ask questions from sales give up on their sales target and unleash and unlock your true genius as calm manner. Develop your emotional professionals during my sales training, reward themselves appropriately a human being. See rejection, setback vocabulary. Work on your emotional “Selling with Kindness” on what when they achieve their set objectives. and failure as necessary and important state through repeated affirmations determines success in sales, and the Successful sales professionals believe part of your sales success. Develop and imagination. Become immune to answers I receive often include: they can achieve their goals and are your self-image, self-esteem and self- feeling negative about setbacks and Good personality determined to do what it requires confidence. Be success- driven. Be rejection. Become a highly emotionally Confidence ethically to achieve them. result-oriented. intelligent sales professional. Product knowledge Set specific, measurable, To be continued…. Time management achievable, relevant and time-bound They have emotional stability Hard work goals that inspire and challenge Highly successful sales ACTION PLAN: Set Smart sales While the above traits play some you to grow and become better as a professionals have developed goals. Unleash your achievement drive. important roles in sales success, they sales professional. Read your written emotional intelligence. Emotional Develop your emotional quotient. don’t explain why two salespeople in goals morning and night. Make sure intelligence leads to emotional stability. Believe more in yourself. the same company, selling the same your goals contain daily action plan They have developed their ability AFFIRMATION: I am a successful products, with the same experience, and weekly review. Plan appropriate to face rejection on the field and use sales professional. I am blessed and same compensation package, same reward for yourself when you achieve the rejection as a fuel for acceptance highly favoured.

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spread March 2020 .indd 3 3/19/2020 11:48:36 AM 30 }Senior Citizen} Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Staying idle after retirement portends danger – Pharm. (Mrs) Oluwole By Moses Dike but through the help of God and the cooperation of the people During your years of practice, working with me. you concentrated on hospital pharmacy practice. What Looking back now, how would prompted your decision to you assess the current state study Pharmacy and narrow of service delivery in our down your practice to hospital hospitals and healthcare pharmacy? facilities? I wanted to study Medicine I don’t want to criticise. and my father was very much People are doing their best but interested in me studying sometimes I don’t think their Medicine. My father was already best is good enough for Nigeria. saving up for me to go abroad When I left LUTH, a classmate of to study Medicine, which was mine took over and did his best. the only place you could study He carried on with the work. But Medicine at that time. But when now, I don’t even know anybody it became impossible, he begged there again. They are all gone. me to study Pharmacy and that, All of them are gone but the sad maybe after some time, I would thing is that you go to the hospital, opt out to study Medicine. That was drugs are prescribed for you and how I went to pharmacy school. they give you the prescription I enjoyed it; and when I went to go out and buy. There are abroad, there was a controversy pharmacies around the hospital about my certificate but when where you go to buy drugs. You they saw my performance, they no longer receive prescription were satisfied and offered me and you go straight to the hospital employment in all the places I pharmacy department to obtain have earlier mentioned. the drugs, even if you have to pay I was going once a week to man for it. all these pharmacies. My boss at Those days, when you were that time was a very strict woman in the ward, you didn’t have to but was very fond of me. I did all send people to go and buy drugs these, until we returned home. At for you. Every morning, baskets that time in Nigeria, it wasn’t easy were sent from the wards to the to set up a pharmacy. I first went pharmacy department. A request Pharm. (Mrs) Modupe Oluwole to Kingsway dispensaries where I was made, then you would fill the worked during the holiday. After baskets and change all the labels orn 86 years ago, Pharm. (Mrs) Modupe Oluwole is one of the this, I moved to hospital pharmacy that needed to be changed. That practice and since then, I have was the first work every morning pioneers of hospital pharmacy practice in Nigeria. With a vast been in hospital pharmacy in the pharmacy department. wealth of experience garnered within the country and overseas, practice. I don’t know if they still do B that in the department these the octogenarian pharmacist has had memorable stints in paediatric, When would you consider the days. These days, when there geriatric, maternity, infectious diseases and general hospital practice. most memorable time in your are no drugs, the patient will ask In this recent chat with Pharmanews in Lagos, Oluwole, who founded years of practice? a member of his family to go out When I was in LUTH, I became and buy them. the now rested Modus Pharmacy in Surulere, Lagos, bares her mind the acting head of Pharmacy on a number of issues affecting pharmacy practice in Nigeria. She Department and I instilled What are the areas of also shares some of her life experiences after retirement from active discipline. Coincidentally, three pharmacy practice in Nigeria of my classmates at the pharmacy that you would like to see service. Excerpts school were there with me. improvements? There was a vacancy then I would like to see that and the chairman of the board, these pharmacies are manned Ma, can you tell us a little a lot of experience. a very strict man, Professor by pharmacists. Most of the about your background and After about five-and-a-half Orisejolomi Thomas, was asked pharmacies all over the places education? years, we returned home. Then I who would take over as head of now are owned by laymen and I attended the oldest girl’s started work again at Poly Clinic the department. He wasted no they just put somebody there. It’s secondary school in Lagos. When before it was turned to Children’s time in recommending me and only in a few cases that you see a we graduated, the school was hospital. When the Lagos State said he had confidence in me. pharmacist there. moved to Ibadan to form St Ann’s Teaching Hospital was started, I That was how I took over and I For instance, a pharmacy was School, Ibadan. We celebrated became one of the pioneer staff enjoyed working with my team. opened a few doors from me here, our 150th anniversary a few to be employed as a pharmacist. I Discipline was perfect and but each time I send somebody months ago. After that, I went spent about 10 years there before my classmates working with there and they do something to pharmacy school, Yaba, and our retirement during General me cooperated very well. We wrong, I send a message back to finished in December, 1954. Murtala Mohammed era. Then, ensured that drugs were always them and over time I could see After graduation, I first worked I started my own community available in the hospital. There the improvement. For instance, with Kingsway Stores Dispensary. pharmacy business, named was a time a professor came for selling tablets in envelopes There was a pharmacy inside Modus Pharmacy. drugs and we didn’t have it. It without labelling it. I will send it that big Kingsway building - that When my husband became a was a May & Baker product. So back and insist that they label the was where I first worked with a priest, we had to move from place we phoned May & Baker and they drug properly. Now, they know few of my colleagues. One was to place. While we were still in said that particular drug when what I can’t take; so when I send my classmate, Mrs Onasanya of mainland Lagos, I was still able to imported was always sent to the people there, they telephone Bola Chemists, and two others, manage the business until we were north because the particular me to get clarifications on what were my senior colleagues at posted to Epe. When I got to Epe, illness which the drug was used I want. They make sure they try the pharmacy school. After that, I tried managing for one month, for was rampant in the north; so to do the right thing, at least with we decided to work with the then I saw it wasn’t that easy. So I they didn’t have it in Lagos at all. me, and I want to assume they do government. stayed back at home. Somebody I went to Professor Thomas the same with other people also. So we went to general hospital, was in charge but I wasn’t quite to complain that I had problems; Lagos, where I worked briefly pleased because I wanted the so he got in touch with one of the before being transferred to best for the pharmacy. Already, top army officials in government How has life in retirement Massey Street Maternity Hospital. people in the area had become and they radioed their branch in been? That was the only maternity very familiar with the pharmacy London and they gave me time to It’s being lovely. It was hard hospital in Lagos at that time. as a place where you would get meet the airplane crew at Ikeja at first because I was bitter. After some time, I went abroad to what you wanted, I didn’t want the airport to receive the drugs. Everybody knew I did my best join my fiancée in 1956. We got name to be tarnished. I carried There were few cases like for the pharmacy department; married and I started working on, until we came back to Lagos. that where I had to go the extra so when it happened, people felt in a few hospitals there, ranging By the time I got to Lagos, I tried mile to render services, instead bad and fought my case in the from general hospital, paediatric to push further but old age was of just announcing that the drug administration department but hospital, infectious diseases creeping in, so things were not wasn’t available and then sit the management was adamant. hospital and lastly, I worked at a the same again. I decided to let down to do nothing to help the That was when I established geriatric hospital, taking care of the business go rather than spoil situation. I raised the standard, Modus Pharmacy and since the old people. So I was able to gain the name I have made. not just through personal efforts, continued on page 36 Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

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spread March 2020 .indd 9 3/19/2020 11:49:24 AM } 32 }Industry News Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Why Neimeth launched “Stay Worm-Free, Stay Healthy” campaign - Azoji he “Stay Worm Free, Stay By Yusuff Moshood excited to begin the deworming Healthy” campaign recently campaign and also very proud to launched by Neimeth be associated with the Pyrantrin T brand ambassador, Woli Arole who International Pharmaceuticals Plc., is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria was unveiled at the event. has more worm-free individuals Also speaking with and families, the company’s Pharmanews in an interview at managing director/CEO, Pharm. the event, Pharm. (Mrs) Chovwe Matthew Azoji, has said. Emaniru, head of marketing of Speaking with Pharmanews Neimeth, explained that Woli in an interview during the launch Arole was chosen as the brand of the campaign at Neimeth’s head ambassador is because he is office in Ikeja, Lagos recently, a respected influencer who Azoji said the campaign was to stands as a bridge between the encourage all Nigerians to deworm old generation and the young and encourage families to deworm generation. their children, noting that worm The brand ambassador, she infestation is a serious public said, will help take the message health challenge, as more than 80 of the company on the need for million people are suffering from Nigerians to deworm regularly to the condition globally. the general public. She noted that While noting that children are L-R: Pharm. Chovwe Emaniru, marketing manager, Neimeth deworming regularly has not been the most vulnerable group affected International Pharmaceutical Plc;Pharm. Roseline Oputa, executive part of our culture for a long time by worms, the Neimeth helmsman director; Pharm. Matthew Azoji, managing director, presenting a cheque and that the Neimeth’s campaign to the new Pyrantrin ambassador, Woli Arole, while other managers of was to create awareness about the explained that worms compete for Neimeth look on with keen interest. the food that children eat, stressing danger worms pose to Nigerians that they are a major reason for family. product for the family, adding that it and the need to regularly clear malnutrition, anaemia, diarrhoea Oputa stated that, based on has a broad spectrum anthelminthic them from the system. and other health conditions in WHO estimates, soil-transmitted activity against intestinal worms Speaking after his unveiling as children. helminth infections are among and is suitable for the treatment Pyrantrin brand ambassador, Woli The “Stay Worm-Free, Stay the most common infections of roundworms, threadworms, and Arole thanked the management of Healthy Campaign”, he said, will be worldwide, noting that intestinal other types of worms. Neimeth for asking him to be the carried out through enlightenment worms produce a wide range of Pyrantrin, she explained, can brand ambassador for the worm campaign in the media to enlighten symptoms, including intestinal be used across all age groups expeller which has been produced Nigerians on the importance of manifestations (diarrhoea, from six months of age, with very by the company for over 60 years, deworming and staying worm-free. abdominal pain), general malaise suitable dosing, stressing that the adding that he is honoured to be Also speaking at the event, and weakness. well-tolerated worm expeller is the ambassador of the product Pharm. (Mrs) Roseline Oputa, Oputa said that according to a product that is ideal for mass that has been trusted for several executive director, Neimeth, a current survey, over 30 million deworming because it has a wide decades by Nigerians. explained that the company will be Nigerians are affected by worm safety margin. Arole said he is quite happy to rolling out massive enlightenment infestation, 85 per cent of whom are She warned that worm help with the deworming campaign campaign in the markets, children, adding that over 70 per infestation, if left untreated, usually because he is aware that the neighbourhoods, pharmacies and cent of adults in Nigeria have not leads to severe malnutrition, poor culture of deworming in Nigeria schools within and outside Lagos taken any worm-expeller in the last mental and physical development, is very poor. He noted that he is State, to educate the public on the 10 years or more. severe anaemia, intestinal particularly glad to be part of the importance of deworming regularly She stated that, for decades, obstruction, as well as having campaign because it is focusing on and the need to choose Pyrantrin those who have used the company’s serious economic consequences how to help improve the health and as the ideal worm expeller for the worm-expeller, Pyrantrin, have for the nation and society at large. life of Nigerians. realised that it is a revolutionary Neimeth, she said, is very We hope to get LS Scientific on the lips of every pharma company - MD By Adebayo Oladejo core of our business at LS Scientific lumurewa Odunjo is the and we hope every other business chief executive officer We aim to ensure a imbibes this as well. We need to Oand managing director, LS very good quality standard ensure that as a nation, whatever Scientific, which specialises in that will further enhance we consume, either as medication providing quality control solutions the productivity of finished or refreshment, they come with top for science-based companies. A products and the expertise quality that will do us good and not strategic, visionary and innovative level of scientists, using damage our health. thinker, with over 20 years’ different techniques that What has been the experience experience in the business, Odunjo satisfy the global scientific of this company, especially has successfully driven the growth requirement. regarding the Nigerian of LS Scientific to unprecedented Meanwhile, our long pharmaceutical sector? heights for the past 13 years. He term goal is to spread this The company is 13 years in pilots the affairs of the company idea beyond the shores of Nigeria as we speak, and it has both in Nigeria and the UK. In this country. But as we speak been through the ups and downs. this interview with Pharmanews, now, our focus is on Nigeria, However, due to the steadfastness he reveals the challenges facing being the “giant of Africa”, and competence of our team, we pharmaceutical manufacturers in and we want to grow it further have been able to weather the Nigeria and how LS Scientific can before moving to other African storm. As for me, I have over 22 help local manufacturers to produce countries. Our vision is to be years’ experience in the scientific top quality drugs that can compete the one-stop solution for all world, selling ideas and solutions, internationally. Excerpts: scientific and technological even before the establishment of needs in the area of quality LS Scientific. Tell us about LS Scientific, Olumurewa Odunjo control in Europe and Africa. Today, the country is gradually when was it established and Quality, especially in the moving from being an import- what was the philosophy behind pharmaceutical industry, based nation. We’ve started its establishment? that, we also provide laboratory is a fundamental component of manufacturing and the masses LS Scientific Limited is a services for people to set up their the process and practice. What are there to consume these goods company dedicated to providing own laboratories. are the measures that can help being manufactured. But the quality control solutions within the What prompted the decision strengthen it? challenge is, how we ensure that scientific sector. It was incorporated of the company to come into Truly, regulation is important these goods are top quality that can in the month of February 2007 in the the Nigerian market and what and government involvement is compete internationally. This was United Kingdom and, in Nigeria, are your short and long term also important; but the bigger what necessitated the need to have in the month of March of the same objectives in the country? responsibility rests on the a company like LS Scientific. year. Basically, our short term government, so that the regulatory Tell us about your relationship We specialise in quality control plan is to get LS Scientific on the agencies will be empowered to do with the pharma sector. How do solutions. We help manufacturers lips of everybody that needs the job. Another measure is the area you intend to break in further? to decide on the quality of what quality service - be it consumers, of sensitisation and awareness from Over the last few years, we they produce and also to maintain manufacturers, regulators and the manufacturers to the public. have been very active in food and and check the quality standard. everybody. Quality is very Let’s take the pharma sector, beverages. So, an idea came to us We operate in different markets, important. In fact, it would be hard for example. When someone is sick recently that if people are eating from the industrial market, to the to progress as a nation, if we don’t and he is taking fake medication, it right, we need to ensure that if manufacturers of consumer goods, have the culture of quality, either in means the sickness won’t go and, they are sick, they are also treated food and beverages companies, our processes, dealings, services, in most cases, it leads to death. right. So, for us at LS Scientific, we pharmaceutical companies, oil and education, and what have you. This So, quality, for us, is not a mere are dedicating this year 2020 to gas, and we also help researchers is what gives a nation the status of word of the mouth; it is about the to enable them carry out their being healthy and wealthy. wellbeing of a nation. This is the research works. In addition to all continued on page 25 Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 33 3/19/2020 11:58:38 AM } 34 }Viewpoint Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Coronavirus: Did the Nigerian government do enough to prevent an outbreak? he recent outbreak of coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has continued to convulse the world with dread, as the spread and death toll keep mounting. On 28 February, Nigeria recorded its first case of the disease and since then, additional cases have been Tconfirmed. Considering that not all countries, including those around China, where the pandemic is reported to have emanated, have recorded an outbreak, our reporter, Omolola Famodun, sought the opinions of Nigerians on whether the government did enough to prevent an outbreak in the country. Their diverse reactions are presented below: They could have done better - Tochi Nwanehiudo countries should first be isolated and proven to test negative before The government tried their possible best allowing them into our society. to liaise with airport authorities in order to If this was in place, we would see that people coming from the countries have detected easily that the Italian that had the virus didn’t get into the country was infected with the deadly virus. to spread it - just like what they did with the The FG used a corrective approach, Ebola virus when it came in. In my opinion, instead of a preventive approach they did their best. Nevertheless, when towards this viral disease. compared with few other countries, using But then the virus is in the Turkey as a case study, the government country already, the way forward didn’t do enough. is to increase our contact tracing Turkey is surrounded by countries that effectively, which I think, so far so have the highest incidence of this disease; good, the FG has really handled yet, to date, not one case of COVID-19 has well. been recorded in there. What they did is that, as soon as the cases of coronavirus broke, they started taking preventive measures. The way Turkey handled the prevention Ebola made them over- made other countries came to consult them. So, just like I said earlier, the Nigerian government tried, however confident - Jonathan Ogbonnaya there were still some extra efforts they could have put in place, just like No, they did not do well. We all know that Turkey. Nevertheless it is not totally bad yet; we trust in the power of the COVID 19 is a global phenomenon in the federal government that, just like Ebola was eradicated completely from sense that all countries are doing their Nigeria in a very short time, this one too will pass. best to curtail the virus from entering their domains. A lot of countries are bringing Prevention lies with the citizens - Olajobi Aramide up so many ideas, setting up strategies, Coronavirus is not new. It had been making sure that their borders are in existence for years but was not given improved; their airspace, land space and the media attention like it has now. Many water space are being checked every time; antiseptic products had been prescribed to the places people enter and come out from cure and attack it for ages. You may check are watched. They try to make sure that the contents written on both the old and the everywhere is tight medically. new labels on Dettol antiseptic container. Coming down to Nigeria, the way the I think blaming the Nigerian government world is trying their best to curtail this for insufficient health facility to tackle it virus is not being done in Nigeria. We tend or security to stop its spread is hypocrisy. to show a lackadaisical attitude towards Do you know that most of these diseases, such things and that is the reason why we especially coronavirus, come from self- are here. The Minister of Health’s first press mismanagement on health activities and release concerning coronavirus emphasised more on the millions of handling animals? Some people do not even money they released for the virus. In fact he was bragging, saying with put appropriate measures in place before that amount of money, no one with the virus could pass through the eating some animals. airport without being detected. So what happened? What changed? I submit that it’s true that, for anything Those facilities were not medically sophisticated to detect any case - that happened, we humans love to hold the government responsible. But not even malaria - how much more coronavirus! the reality is that most prevention methods lie in our hands as citizens, if The victory we recorded during the Ebola virus saga made them we love our health. to be overconfident; the miracle shook the whole world. They believed since they defeated Ebola then, they could overcome COVID-19, perhaps using same method. There is no COVID-19 in Nigeria - Winifred Egwu Government did nothing - Ruth Ogubuike No, the Nigeria government didn’t take any As regards COVID-19, I don’t think it is preventive measures against coronavirus, not in Nigeria, because recently I have heard a to talk of doing enough. There were no good lot of people saying so many things. In fact, I efforts at international airports to screen heard that it was because of the 600 million returnees. Even the Chinese nationals that disbursed back then that they had to quickly were in the country were not quarantined; do something to justify their spending. instead, they were asked to self-isolate. We heard someone brought the virus The Nigerian government is just a joke. All from Italy. There is no particular information I see is just an avenue to loot more money in about the person. There is no proof of the guise of fighting coronavirus and, yes, they anything. Even the person that they said should be blamed for it. drove him in to the isolation centre, there How well has the federal government is no information about the person or his mandated FAAN and other relevant agencies family. Everything is just being cooked by in the fight against coronavirus? I can say for the federal government. Anytime they want sure that the airport authorities have been to discuss the matter, it is mostly behind lackadaisical in screening and beefing up closed doors, unlike the case of Ebola. Then, activities in the fight against the virus because we had the footage of him (the index case) currently there are no due processes to screen from the airport. Even when he collapsed, the passengers accurately on arrival. the whole thing was on camera. We saw that As individuals, we are urged to maintain good personal hygiene but the government is to be blamed if good preventive measures are not put the virus did not claim just his life but even the medical practitioner in place for the citizens. that treated him. So I don’t want to say whether they prevented it or not; the fact Federal government and employers should start is just that we are not sure the virus is in the country or not. The isolation centre they talked about, we did not see any sample. There emergency plan - Seyi Famodun is no information on research. We have a lot of research centres in They did not put in their best. How Nigeria; yet they don’t have samples. Then, how can we be sure this can we say the 600 million naira they virus is in our country? disbursed was their best? We read about what other countries are doing FG adopted corrective, instead of preventive and how they are doing it - installing measures – Prosper Efe cameras everywhere, screening at airports and borders, giving rationing No! They didn’t. They actually didn’t do anything, until February care, ensuring that no foreigner goes or when they began a fire brigade approach to prevent the virus by disbursing funds to put our isolation centres in place, but then it comes into the country without proper was too late. check. The very first thing I think the federal government should have Who knows how many people the done was to increase the surveillance systems at our international Italian guy had contact with - how many airports, especially for flights coming in from affected countries people he touched or hugged? The like Italy. truth is that the federal government is I mean, the index case (the Italian) was not detected until 27 not doing enough. This is not their best, February, when records showed that he got into the country two and they should put the same drive days earlier. The government should have put in place isolation towards Ebola and help us eradicate this centres at our airports or nearby, where passengers from affected from our country. Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020) continued on page 48

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spread March 2020 .indd 5 3/19/2020 11:48:55 AM 36 }Senior Citizen of the Month} Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Staying idle after retirement portends danger – Pharm. (Mrs) Oluwole continued from page 30 tackle this problem? can you just come out with standard pharmacy was doing fine, I felt This problem is not new. six certificate, open a pharmacy and happy. People would tell their It’s been there since when then think you know it all? Do you wards to go to Modus Pharmacy we were in practice. Patent know what pharmacists go through for their drugs and if you returned medicine dealers would want to get certified? At the Association of with drugs not packaged in my to pose as pharmacists. At Lady Pharmacists, there was a time branded pack, they would send some point, my husband we went round educating people them back. worked at Holy Trinity Church, not to buy drugs from just anybody. I was happy with the way the Ebutte Ero, along Adeniji I think the government is pharmacy was going but when Adele Road. When we went not doing enough. How can the my husband joined the church there, I saw people hawking patent medicine dealers take the ministry, it wasn’t too easy for me, drugs and I was surprised. PCN to court? It’s unheard of. As because in the ministry you have Then I saw their depot and pharmacists, we have to put our feet to work very closely with your so many things done wrong, down because if we don’t, pharmacy husband. I tried for four years to I became sad because there technicians and patent medicine keep running the pharmacy but was nothing I could do. There dealers will take over our profession. it was not working as the ministry was a day inspectors went work was constantly demanding there. Those patent medicine Is any of your children or for my time; that was why I shut dealers gathered a crowd and grandchildren a pharmacist? Pharm. (Mrs) Modupe Oluwole the pharmacy down. surrounded them. They were I have four children. Two of my almost assaulted but God was grandchildren are married but I 50 years. How would you react to the kind and they ran away. am not a great-grandmother yet. I None of them took to my hydra-headed issue of patent It’s been like that from am praying for that. The youngest husband’s profession as an medicine vendors intruding time immemorial and I am of my grandchildren is seven years engineer. When they saw me into pharmacy practice? How praying to God and hope this and the oldest of my children is 63 struggling at the pharmacy would you like regulators to thing will be sorted out. How years and my last child just turned business, they said no they couldn’t go through all the activities, ranging from buying the products, sorting them out, setting up and dealing with the patients. They were not ready for all that. None is a doctor and none is a pharmacist. One of my daughters got married to a doctor but unfortunately the husband passed on. One of my grandchildren is now trying to go into Medicine. If given another chance again, would you choose pharmacy as a profession? I would. I would choose it over Medicine because of the satisfaction I derived from it. Like I do say, anytime you go to a hospital, you must necessarily come to the pharmacy. It’s the first and last port of call. What advice do you have for young pharmacists who want to keep fit and retire gracefully the way you have done? Naturally, I’m not a lazy person. I want to do things myself and my family members know this. But when you retire and you don’t have something doing, your body will relax and that is when trouble starts. Like I told my children, when I clocked 80 years and they were worried that I still go to the kitchen to cook even when they hired a chef for me, I told them, I like to cook myself. But with so much pressure from them, I gave in and now I am feeling it. I thought I should have put my feet down but they would not agree with me. So that is why I’m struggling to walk now. I’m using a walking stick now. Otherwise, I am the go-go type. Even in my workplace, you can’t work with me and be lazy. The young people should cultivate the habit of being active even in old age. So, whether they have their own pharmacy or doing something else other than Pharmacy, they have to go all out. It keeps you fit. Choosing to do nothing because you have retired is a bad habit that spells doom. I have always been very active in church work. I faced church work fully after retirement and am still doing it, although not as much as I want. I still give talks once in a while, so that I can exercise my body and my brain.

Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 36 3/19/2020 11:58:50 AM } Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 }PANS Focus 37 Why withdrawal of students over repeated failure is questionable – President, PANS-OAU uccess is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue ability. that counts,” so said Sir Winston Churchill. And this seemed to be the dominant thought in the mind of Ayobami Michael Olushola, Is it true that the pharmacy S curriculum is cumbersome president, Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), and does not allow pharmacy as he reflected on the recent saga of mass failure in the Faculty of students to participate in social Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Speaking activities like other students? with Pharmanews in an exclusive interview, the final year student If the flight ticket from Lagos to Abuja is 20,000 naira and takes of the pharmacy faculty, bared his mind on this and other burning one hour, the flight ticket to Ottawa issues in pharmacy education in Nigeria. Excerpts: in Canada from that same Lagos state will definitely require more, Why did you decide to study session, you are expected deliver both with respect to time and Pharmacy? on your mandate as president, as amount. This is the case of the To be honest, the choice to well as excel academically, how curriculum in pharmacy school. studying Pharmacy for me didn’t have you been juggling these? Does it require more from its start as a childhood dream. It was I can only honestly answer this students, with respect to volume never really in the picture and question at the end of my tenure. and quality of knowledge? Yes, neither were a lot of the other To be honest, I really do hope I can it does. Does it require more Ayobami Michael Olushola popular academic options in the give a good account at the end of in terms of time and effort, as health sector. In any case, I have it all as this is a new challenge and it pertains to the peculiarities average pharmacy student is more always felt that I have the ability to I trust God for the strength to pull needed to produce a competent given to proper time management, prosper in any field. through. I have a personal target and dependable pharmacist? Yes multitasking ability, as well as the When I began my pharmacy regarding this, which is known to it does. Does this mean lesser time ability to find a balance amidst programme, I probably wouldn’t a lot in Ife Pharmacy actually, as I for pharmacy students, compared different pulls. have been able to give a satisfactory would like to set a precedence of to their colleagues on campus? Yes answer to this question. However, balance in excelling academically it does and it also means that the There have been mixed five years onward, I can say that I am and also increase in capacity and reactions towards the recent studying Pharmacy to be a symbol continued on page 48 and a drive for those behind me in the race of actualising purpose. How did you arrive at the decision to become PANS-OAU president? Ever since I came into Ife, I had always found myself in one thing or the other for the benefit of PANS. I served on committees in my 100 Level days. I was also made to serve as the public relations officer of the association under the Ojelabi Jesujoba administration in 300 Level. Through all this, I was a member of the debating and literary arm of the association, as well as the faculty football team. I served as the head of Publicity and Logistics Committee for consecutive PANS week programmes. All this culminated in me seeing the beauty in the synergy that makes up Ife Pharmacy. For the purpose of continuity and increase, I decided to take the bold step to help channel Ife Pharmacy into greater heights as a body. And as God would have it, here we are today. What aspects of your responsibilities as president do you consider particularly challenging so far? Definitely a lot of aspects of leadership in such a sphere start off as being tasking at first and it is the responsibility of the leader to rise above them and succeed. For me here in PANS-OAU, the aspect that I consider most challenging so far is taking the numerous ideas, visions and potentials domiciled here in Ife Pharmacy and helping them get beyond the confines of Ile Ife to external bodies that will help push them to the needed destinations. The scandal of “sex-for- marks” has become a major issue in universities recently, especially OAU. How would you react to this as it affects the faculty of pharmacy. Such issues as this are some of the things that place a dark cloud on the genuine efforts of many honest students around, and it is sad that our very own Great Ife which is known for learning and culture, is in the public view for a matter like this. However, I can confidently say that, regarding the lecturers and students in this great faculty, such issues have not and cannot be a thing to give thought to. With respect to the nobility we are known for, decency and honesty remains the crests written on the pages of the heart of all here in Ife Pharmacy. Amidst a tight academic Pharmanews App now available on Google Play store, Apple Store, Windows Store

Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 37 3/19/2020 11:58:55 AM 38 }Natural Medicine } Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 , more than just a vegetable Ewedu Pharm. Ngozika Okoye consumption is recommended MSc, MPH, FPCPharm to normalise asthma-related (Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency) problems such as wheezing and breathlessness. ute leaf, popularly called Ewedu is said to lower blood ewedu among the Yoruba, pressure and cholesterol. It Jahinghara in Igbo and rama is good for heart health and in Hausa, is a popular vegetable diabetes, and can increase in West Africa. The botanical sexual libido and aid fertility. name is Corchorus olitorius It is also a blood purifier and (Fam: Malvaceae). laxative. In fact, dieticians call jute Constituents “a pharmacy on your plate” Ewedu contains almost due to the numerous nutritional all of the nutrients needed by health benefits associated with humans. It is rich in carotenoids, it. vitamins A C, B, K, Folic acid, calcium, potassium and iron Corchorus olitorius. Adverse effects and dietary fibres. It is also Ewedu should be avoided rich in both essential and non- dysentery, enteritis, pectoral and maintaining the menstrual when taking antibiotics like essential amino acid, such as ciprofloxacin in order not to lysine. pains, and tumours. Leaves are cycle regularly. It has also used for ascites, pain, piles, been advised by researchers reduce their effectiveness. It should also be avoided in Preparations cystitis, dysuria, gonorrhea that women going through and tumours. The cold infusion menopause should take more first and second trimesters of The leaves and tender pregnancy. shoots are eaten. Ewedu may is said to restore appetite of this vegetable. and strength. An infusion is Jute plant consists of be boiled (alone or with locust Economic potentials beans, lemon or olive oil), dried used in the treatment of liver a considerable amount of disorders and dyspepsia. The Vitamin K which is helpful in The stem of the plant can be steamed or pureed, mixed burnt as firewood. The stalks with chicken, or prepared into leaf is a good anti-anaemic reducing the threat of bleeding which prevents anaemia due to in the liver, poor nutrient are used for industrial products soup. Jute leaves are used to like rope, pulp, paper, fibre and flavour soups, stews, teas, and its high iron content and also absorption, jaundice or the facilitates the production of red combination of long term use composites. The fibre is used vegetable dishes. Dried leaves for making gunny bags, rugs, can be used as a thickener in blood cells. of antibiotics or aspirin. The jute leaf has been Regular consumption ropes, carpets, rough cloth and soups. Young leaves are added many other similar articles of to salads. The leaves and roots known to be a remedy for of jute plant is believed to pregnant women experiencing help slow the start of certain daily use. may be prepared as cold Light and soft wood is used infusion or decoction. prolonged labour. It has also eye diseases, including age- been discovered to aid milk related macular degeneration. in making sulphur matches. Ewedu leaves can be used Pharmacological actions secretion in lactating mothers. Jute plant consists Ewedu helps in overcoming of a sufficient amount of to make cosmetics like face and medicinal uses masks, creams and serums. Jute is a traditional remedy the problems that occur from magnesium that is required for for aches and pains, fever, premenstrual symptoms (PMS) the body. Therefore frequent

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40 }CEO of the Month Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Coronavirus outbreak, another wake-up call for drug security – Lolu Ojo By Yusuff Moshood

harm. (Dr) Obalolu Ojo is the managing director/CEO, Merit Healthcare Limited. In this exclusive is killing the industry. It bothers interview with Pharmanews in his office in Lagos, Ojo, a former national chairman of Association me because it is this same of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) and incumbent chairman of the PSN Committee on government that will come to P your office and lock it up for not Research, Documentation and Industrial Liaison, examines the impacts of the outbreak of coronavirus paying one tax or the other. The on the pharmaceutical industry and the lessons the Nigerian nation should learn from it. He also reveals same government owing you. It what his committee has been doing since inauguration, as well as his thoughts on other burning pharmacy is difficult to see the logic behind government’s action sometimes. issues. Excerpts: However, we shall not run As the chairman of the away or give up because if we do, PSN Committee on Research, we know the charlatans are ready Documentation and Industrial to take over and they won’t care Liaison, what do you consider as what happens to Nigerians. We the most fundamental challenge care about the patient that is why facing the pharmaceutical we are not giving up. It is also industry and how can the because we know anybody can challenge be surmounted? be a patient anytime. Since your question started from that PSN committee, let The outbreak of coronavirus me first use this opportunity to aptly named COVID-19 by WHO appreciate the PSN president, is said to have put Nigeria in a Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, for setting difficult situation, as it relates up the committee. Having that to medicines availability, committee is a result of good because we depend on thinking, I must say. And the China and India for our president summarised the work pharmaceutical raw materials of the committee in one sentence. and finished pharmaceutical He said he wants the committee products, what can we do about to provide an intellectual basis for his precarious situation? PSN advocacy. That is, he wants the Unfortunately in this committee to look indepth at all situation, there are no quick fixes. issues pertaining to Pharmacy and If there are no raw materials, you provide an intellectual basis for just have to get them and you whatever is the advocacy the PSN can’t start today to produce the will be making. raw materials you need. It is a And that is what we have process. We import everything been trying to do. We have we need for pharmaceutical handled some cases. We handled manufacturing, despite the fact the Pharmaceutical Technology that we have opportunity to Bill, which was a bill they were produce some of them locally. We pushing to split Pharmacy into sub- have been saying this for a very categories. long time, Nigeria needs to look We had to look into what was inward. I just hope that perhaps happening in other climes, the when things like this coronavirus complaints of the group and other outbreak happen, it will make us things. At the end of the day, we to pay attention to the things that were able to give the PSN president are important and serious. some basis for what we needed to The things that are serious do. I thank God that that bill was are life, food and medicines. killed at the National Assembly. These are important matters We have also worked on that serious nations don’t joke online pharmacy. Without any Pharm. (Dr) Obalolu Ojo with. We have been saying that particular regulation right now, drug availability is a national the entire online space is filled However, the most important the sector. Even the simple process security issue. That was the with pharmaceuticals that are intervention the committee has of clearing what you need at the port theme of the PSN Conference being offered for sale. We did made so far is in the manufacturing is so difficult. in 2017. Medicines availability a webinar that involved about sector. The question we are This affects not just manufacturers for Nigerians has to be seen 1000 pharmacies. More than 1000 asking is how can we ascertain of pharmaceuticals but also importers as a serious security issue. The pharmacies registered for the the real percentage of what we of finished medicines. You will go nation cannot afford to continue webinar, although not all of them are importing as pharmaceuticals through hell just to clear things at to depend on other nations for it. were able to participate eventually. and what we are producing locally. the Apapa port. Eventually, when it 200 million people require For the webinar, we had an expert Because the percentage being is cleared and you want to get the medicines and about 80 per from India who shared experience bandied is actually not based on container out of the port, you will cent of that these are imported. on the situation in India and advised fact. They are saying that we are face another trouble. It costs about 2 Now, coronavirus is blocking us on what we needed to do. importing 80 per cent of what thousand dollars to ship a container importation of medicines from What we eventually agreed weare consuming locally. This is from India to Nigeria. It however will China as China is the source on is that we are having a big not based on fact. cost you more than one thousand of raw materials for the whole challenge handling the physical Even the 20 per cent that is said dollars to move the same container world. Even India where we go to medicines, not to now talk of the to be manufactured locally, what from Apapa to Isolo. This is not a story. buy our finished pharmaceutical ones online. However we can’t percentage of the manufacturing Yesterday, I paid 400 thousand naira products buy raw materials from close our eyes and pretend as if inputs are sourced in Nigeria? to move my container from Apapa to China. The implication is that this nothing is happening online. We Apart from water, what else is used my office here in Isolo. If there is no problem in China is a big problem spoke to a lot of people. We spoke in pharmaceutical manufacturing traffic, driving from Apapa to Isolo for the whole world. Even the USA to the managing director of Jumia sector that is produced in here should not take more than 10 get its inputs from China. That and other stakeholders. Nigeria? We had a summit on this minutes. That is the distance that will country, China is a big player in We are still on it and our issue and a lot of people came cost you more than 1000 dollars to raw materials and is indeed the position is that it is better if we and made presentations. We transport a container. It is crazy. second largest economy in the take control of the process now, had speakers from the Central Other challenges facing the world after USA. not for anything, but to protect the Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal pharma sector are that of power, which Certainly, except the people. This is because a lot of fake Ministry of Health (FMOH), raw cannot be overemphasised, as it is COVID-19 is quickly contained, products are being sold online. materials manufacturers and other central to all manufacturing activities. we are going to see the effect, This has been documented in so stakeholders. Patronage is also fundamental all not just on pharmaceuticals many countries. It was confirmed in Unfortunately the pace of over the world. Today, in Nigeria, the but on other sectors of our a number of researches that online progress has been very slow, but government is the biggest spender economy. However, the issue of transactions actually enables the certainly we need to and should be and we need to ask how much they pharmaceuticals is particularly sale of fake products, including able to address that challenge. I are spending on the sector and how serious because we are so pharmaceuticals and vaccines. have my hands full but I’m happy we they are spending it. Even when you helpless, since we depend on I have some evidence to have colleagues that are assisting supply drugs to government, to get importation for our finished confirm this. It happened in the so- us with pushing to get things done. paid is difficult. Government is the medicines and even the 20 per called advanced countries, despite However, to answer your highest debtor to this industry. We cent that we say is manufactured all their sophisticated processes of question on what is the most are working on the statistics, but if we locally depends on importation preventing such. fundamental challenge of the put it together, it will run into billions for the raw materials to produce. We are having problem with pharma industry, I will answer by of naira owed to this industry by I just hope that this incident will the physical medicines which are telling you that the challenges are government. make the government to listen sold like ordinary commodities on legion. They are so hydra-headed When I say government, I’m and act on what is important our roads. What do you think will and multidimensional. Sometimes not saying federal government. I’m henceforth. happen when it is now so liberalised you begin to ask yourself if this saying FMOH, all the state agencies, that you can buy it online anytime? nation really wants pharmaceutical all the teaching hospitals, all the It will be a big challenge and we manufacturing industries and the Federal Medical Centres, all the Continues next edition cannot afford to keep our focus out pharma sectors as a whole. There is state hospitals and other government of that. nothing that is not stacked against parastatals. The debt is huge and it Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 41 3/19/2020 11:59:09 AM 42 Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Pharma relationship Par Excellence marketing: Strategies with and management Pharm. Tunde Oyeniran he reality of the Nigerian pharma market today is that Sales. Marketing. Leadership. Management competition is tough and most Tcompanies sell generic products. Building a lifelong partnership with customers The implication of selling generics is the only way to accelerate business growth example, if the company provides (aka “me-too” products) is that free analysis of operations of most of the products are old, do in today’s highly competitive market, and customers or training for its staff. not offer a unique advantage and guarantee that we are in business tomorrow. The results are to create a structural are not protected by patents. In the Therefore, to succeed in the marketplace, bond that makes it difficult for circumstances above, customers companies to switch to competitors and healthcare providers exert companies and salesmen need to continually 3. Financial relationship great influence on the specific and continuously run a process by which marketing programmes provide brand that get prescribed, that get customer loyalty is created so that a stable, economic benefits such as dispensed and are available on the discounts, free shipping, favourable shelves. Even the unique brands mutually profitable and long-term relationship payment terms, etc. Customers under protection have competitors is developed. respond financially to protect and get substituted. customer relationships, though Building a lifelong partnership It is imperative if you are selling selling to organisations. There are they do not necessarily enhance the with customers is the only way generic pharmaceuticals, as the various roles in organisation buying relationship because all companies to accelerate business growth trade and healthcare providers – users, buyers, owners, gate- do it. in today’s highly competitive and administrators have a heavy keeper, deciders, approvers, etc. market, and guarantee that we are influence on what gets into the These roles vary from organisation Professional relationship in business tomorrow. Therefore, PLO, what get on the shelves and to organisation, from time to time, development to succeed in the marketplace, product substitution from purchase to purchase. To In the pharma industry, companies and salesmen need It is faster and much cheaper to understand the “buying centre” healthcare professionals and to continually and continuously sell to current customers requires in-depth knowledge of the service providers exert a lot of run a process by which customer It makes it easier to overcome organisation, time and attention. influence on what is bought and loyalty is created so that a stable, objections, especially price Personalised offer. Needs of what is prescribed. It is then mutually profitable and long-term objections customers are different. Best offers necessary for pharmaceutical relationship is developed. It enables consistence of sales are the offers made with a particular companies to create a general In defining relationship that performance as you are assured or person or organisation in mind. relationship with the healthcare way, it is noteworthy that it must be regular orders Relationship marketing makes it groups like PSN, NMA, NANNM, a mutually rewarding connection Saves you in times of trouble possible, practical and believable etc. and specific relationship with between the parties so that they (urgent need for money, short- to make such “personalized” offers. individual specialists, consultants expect to obtain benefits from dated products, heavy stock levels and administrators for long-term it and both parties must have a etc). Strategies and tactics for growth. The latter can be achieved commitment to the relationship relationship marketing and by sponsorships to professional over time and are, therefore, willing Relationship marketing and management and association events, scientific to adapt their own behaviour to management Issues 1. Social strategies and meetings, conferences, research maintain its continuity. Some customers are more programmes. These are personal programmes, collaborations, etc. important than others. It is a known and interpersonal bonds created What is the grand strategy fact that customers do not contribute via human social interactions and Tunde Oyeniran, a Sales/ for relationship marketing? equally to our sales and collection, opportunities. Birthdays, marriage Marketing Strategist, Selling/Sales Make the customer want to buy indeed our performance. Then it anniversaries, life-events, group Management Trainer and Personal from you because of you for a very makes sense to isolate the most activities. In this regard, it is frequent Coach (Sales Management) is the long time. If the customer wants to important ones and deploy more and personalised communications Lead Consultant, Ekini White Tulip buy from you because your product resources towards them, as this will that develop bonds and make the Consulting Limited, Lagos. has a “technical advantage”, the yield higher returns. relationship special and difficult April Programs: ESSENTIALS truth is that such an advantage can Lifetime value of customers. The for rivals to duplicate. The outcome OF PHARMACEUTICAL BRAND be, and will be copied, sooner or value of a customer to a business of social programmes is often that MANAGEMENT COURSE (15/17. later. But your unique relationship is not just the last order. It is the customers reciprocate with repeat APR.20); CONTEMPORARY with the customer CANNOT be total purchase over a “lifetime”. So, business and referrals. It has a has MEDICATION HANDLING copied, if carefully developed decision with respect to a customer a direct positive effect on profits PRACTICES FOR THE PHARMACY and built. Be foretold, however, cannot and should not be based on and is longlasting TECHNICIANS (14-16.APR.20). that building such relationship the recent purchases but also long- 2. Structural relationship For more info, contact 080- requires strategy, time, resources term value of purchases. In the same marketing programmes provide 2960-6103 (SMS/WhatsApp) / and attention. vein, investments in the customer a service/product to increase ekiniwhitetuliptraining@gmail. should take into consideration the productivity and/or efficiency com or check https://fb.me/ Why should you pay attention “lifetime” potential purchases. for customers through targeted EkiniWhiteTulipConsulting to relationship marketing? Organisational buying. Selling investment that customers would to individuals is different from not make for themselves. F o r

}Industry News } Ohuabunwa, Adejumo, others applaud Shalina’s

Young Talent Award urging the company to not only contestants for putting up a good continue the programme but also make ey stakeholders in the country’s over 700 pharmacy students from five fight and proudly representing their it bigger in the coming years. pharmaceutical sector, including universities across the country, namely different insitutions, adding that no “It was a brilliant programme and the President, Pharmaceutical Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), matter the position they had taken, they the students made it more colourful by K University of Ibadan (UI), University of Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mazi should not be disappointed but see it giving good accounts of themselves, Sam Ohuabunwa; Director of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Nigeria, as an opportunity to prepare better for as future pharmacists. Whether they Nsuka (UNN), and Ahmadu Bello the next edition. emerge winners or not, the 16 students Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State University (ABU). Ministry of Health, Dr (Mrs) Moyosore Commending Shalina Healthcare deserve kudos for putting up such a At the grand finale of the for organising the programme, the great performance,” she said. Adejumo; and National Chairman, competition, which took place at On his part, Pharm. Samuel Association of Community Pharmacists number one pharmacist in the country Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, requested the company to sustain the Adekola, ACPN national chairman of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Samuel 16 finalists spent three intense initiative to ensure that brilliant and also congratulated and commended Adekola, have commended Shalina hours seeking to outsmart one talented young scholars are identified Shalina for sustaining and improving Healthcare Nigeria for the successful another in debates, case studies, and rewarded. the initiative, in terms of quality of hosting of the second edition of the open presentations, clinical and Ohuabunwa, who was represented presentations, the increased number Shalina Young Talent Award (SYTA). pharmacological quiz, as well as mode by Dr Kingsley Amibor, National of schools and others. At the latest edition of the of dressing and comportment, before Chairman, Association of Hospital and While speaking earlier, Somnath competition, tagged the “Biggest young Adeleke of UNILAG edged out Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria Malakar, Managing Director, Shalina Hunt for the Best Pharmacy Brains other contestants to clinch the much- (AHAPN), said the programme would Healthcare Nigeria explained that in in Nigeria”, final year student of the coveted prize. contribute immensely to the quality of keeping to the company’s promise last Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Olanrewaju Israel, and Esther graduating pharmacy students in the year to make the programme bigger Lagos (UNILAG), Adeleke Adekunle, Damilola Olukorede of the University country. and better, it had worked assiduously took over from last year’s winner, of Ibadan, took second and third places While speaking with journalists, to increase the number of participating Folashade Salako, of the Obafemi respectively. the Director of Pharmaceutical schools from three which were at Awolowo University (OAU), to emerge Reacting after the programme, Services, Lagos State Ministry of the inaugural edition to five and the the best pharmacy brain in the country. Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, president, Health, Dr (Mrs) Moyosore Adejumo, number of participants from nine to 16. The keenly contested event, which Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria applauded the initiative by Shalina, initially started at regional levels, had (PSN), commended all the 16 continued on page 48 Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

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spread March 2020 .indd 7 3/19/2020 11:49:10 AM 44 Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Events in Pictures Coming Events

37th Global Nursing Care and Patient Safety Conference holds in Canada The 37th Global Nursing Care and Patient Safety Conference is billed to hold in Toronto, Canada, from 8 to 9 May 2020. Themed: “Exploring Latest Advancement in Nursing Education and Digital Health”, the conference aims to discover advances in nursing care, management and education in relation to health disparities, in addition to other current issues. Expected participants at the conference are healthcare professionals in different fields of nursing. It is a forum to explore issues of mutual concern as well as exchange knowledge, share evidence, ideas, and generate solutions. Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, immediate past PSN president (3rd from left), flanked by other colleagues, during the inauguration ceremony of the NIPSS Course 42,2020, held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. International Conference on Medical and Health Science holds in Lagos

The International Conference on Medical and Health Science comes up in Lagos, from 14 to 15 July, at Blowfish Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. The conference, with the theme, “Leading Forum for the Presentation of New Advances and Research Results in the Fields of Medical & Health Science”, will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and results in medical and health science. The conference aims to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners from both academia and the industry to meet and share ideas on innovative developments in the field. The primary goal of the conference is to promote research and developmental activities in medical and health science. It also seeks to promote scientific information, interchange between R-L: Pharm. Matthew Azoji, managing director/CEO, Neithmeth students, doctors, researchers and academicians working International Pharmaceuticals Plc; Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, around the world. managing director/CEO, Alpha Pharmacy & Stores Ltd; flanked by some participants, during the 25th edition of the Dubai International Pharmaceuticals & Technology Conference Exhibition in UAE 2020 FIP Conference holds in Seville, Spain he 80th edition of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is scheduled to hold in Seville, Spain from T13 to 17 September, 2020. The conference, tagged “The Technological Revolution- Impact on Pharmacy and Healthcare”, will also offer a wide range of topics on pharmaceutical practice, science and education. Papers will be presented on topics such as: “Passion for pharmacy innovation”, “From children’s health to healthy ageing – impact of technologies on quality of life” as well as “Enabling change – Is your country ready?” Expected at the conference are pharmacists and Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora (right) and pharmaceutical scientists from all over the world. Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Yaba, Lagos, at a 3-day training on current techniques in effective laboratory diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases. 2020 NAPPSA Conference & Exposition holds in Tysons, Virginia The 2020 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) is scheduled to hold from 24 to 27 September 2020, at the Sheraton Tysons Corner. The NAPPSA conference will feature current advances in pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical education, drug discovery and development, regulatory and safe utilisation. In addition to a distinctive networking opportunity with colleagues and friends, the conference is designed to provide pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists with timely information and resources to enrich their career and practice. L-R: Pharm. Austin Otu, marketing director, Phamatex Industries A continuing pharmaceutical education programme of Ltd; Mr Rufus Oyeleye, national sales manager, Phamatex; Pharm. over 22 pharmacy credit hours, covering different areas of Samuel Adekola, national chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Prince C. O. Nebe, managing pharmaceutical profession, including pharmaceutical care, director, Phamatex Industries Ltd; Pharm. (Mrs) Taiwo Aliu, funding for pharmaceutical projects, mentoring sessions, and managing dorector of Santus Pharmacy; Pharm. Friday George Deans Workshop will be offered. of Phamatex and Pharm. Ambrose Eze of ACPN during the visit of ACPN officials to the company recently.

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46 }Industry News Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Nigeria is the 34th largest importer from China globally, China is Experts caution industrial pharmacists the number one trade partner of Nigeria as it relates to imports, on business expansion in 2020 adding that as at the end of 2019, Nigeria has a trade import figure - As NAIP holds first bi-monthly meeting of 1.99 trillion naira from China. istinguished economic By Yusuff Moshood Speaking with Pharmanews and pharmacy experts in an interview at the event, Mazi Dhave advised chief Ohuabunwa said that the take- executive officers (CEOs) and home message for NAIP members business leaders involved in the at the forum was that 2020 is going to pharmaceutical business to focus be a tough year economically and more on consolidating on gains and urged the nation and stakeholders successes of their business in the to embrace greater introspection outgone year and not embark on and be more focused on how to ambitious expansion plans in the optimise local opportunities that new year, as the economic outlook can help transform the industry for 2020 has indicated that such a and the nation. decision may be counterproductive. The PSN helmsman reiterated The experts, among whom were that the Nigerian pharmaceutical Mr Fidelis Okwuagwu, managing industry must find ways to develop partner/CEO, Chapters & Heights local inputs needed for local Investment Partners Limited; Pharm. pharmaceutical manufacturing, (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, president, adding that the government needs Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to help ensure that the nation (PSN); and Pharm. Ignatius Anukwu, has a functioning petrochemical national chairman, Association of industry. Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria Also speaking with (NAIP), spoke during the first bi- Pharmanews in an interview at monthly meeting of NAIP, themed The PSN President Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa(4th from right), the event, Anukwu said that the “2020 Economic Outlook”, and and Pharm. Ignatius Anukwu, NAIP national chairman (2nd from economic outlook forum has held at Radison Hotel Ikeja GRA, left), with other dignitaries at the event. become an annual tradition of Lagos, recently. NAIP and it is usually organised to added that there is an immediate income, as well as portfolio help ensure that pharma industry According to Okwuagwu, the loss of quarter 1 income and a diversification, managing costs economy in 2020 has started on a leaders are better prepared for potential and potential loss of through trimming, monitoring the year. very sombre note, with COVID-19 quarter 2 income projection. economic swings by analysing ravaging the global markets and The NAIP chairman equally The financial sector, he and anticipating next government reiterated that the year would be the security situation in Nigeria noted, will be the most-affected, direction and by using the powerful reaching worrisome heights. He tough and that business leaders as borrowing request will dip, social media tools for promotion. in the industry should consider noted that the economic outlook in stressing that when financial sector He said that the world was on the Nigeria in 2020, as with the rest of measures that would enable them dips, the general economy sleeps. path of progress and unselfish trade trim expenses and be circumspect the world, “looks bleak, although we He stated further that the relationship after the signing of the expect corrections as from quarter about expansion. devastation on economic activities US-China Phase One agreement, The pharmacy business 3. Quarter 1 and quarter 2 look set by this lethal disease is far- noting that the outbreak of COVI-19 to rather be recessionary, locally leaders, he said, should use reaching because it occurred early changed everything. this year to consolidate and dig and internationally, but quarter in the year and because it started The viral disease which has now 3 and quarter 4 are expected to necessary foundation for future with the largest exporting country claimed more than 5000 people has growth, adding that the forum was witness slight corrections.” in the world. crippled the Chinese economy and The effect of the outbreak of the to help pharmacy CEOs to avoid He urged the pharmacy CEOs is now a big threat to the global mistakes of the past. ravaging COVID-19, he said, is that to defend their businesses against economy, he said. businesses had been affected even the sombre economic outlook by Mr Okwuagwu stated further before the year commenced. He maintaining minimum operating that even though statistically, Regulate sales of herbal concoctions, sachet alcohols, AHAPN-Lagos tasks govt s a means of curbing the By Temitope Obayendo in a health talk at the programme, increasing incidence of the AHAPN-Lagos Chairman, kidney disease in Nigeria, Pharm. Titilayo Onedo, listed membersA of the Association some preventive measures against of Hospital and Administrative kidney disease to include regular Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) monitoring of blood pressure and Lagos Chapter, have called on blood sugar, regular exercise, governments at all levels to enact adequate hydration, avoidance laws against the circulation of of fried foods, abstinence from herbal concoctions and sachet self-medication, avoidance of alcoholic drinks, which have heavy consumption of red meat, been identified as leading abstinence from drug abuse and causes of kidney failure in the misuse, as well as eating of healthy country. foods loaded with fibre, fruits and The hospital and administrative vegetables. pharmacists made the submission Onedo made it clear to the during a health awareness participants that part of the programme organised by the preventive measures is what group to commemorate this year’s the association tried to do by World Kidney Day on 11 March, at conducting free urinalysis, the Surulere Local Government screening of blood glucose level, Area, Lagos. blood pressure, Hepatitis B, and Highlighting other established body mass index. causes of kidney disease, like illicit Pharm. Kingsley Ekwunife, use of analgesics, uncontrolled one of the coordinators of hypertension and diabetes, drug L-R: Vice-Chairman, AHAPN-Lagos, Pharm. Femi Ojuoko; Chairman, the programme, stressed the abuse, consumption of herbal Lagos State PSN, Pharm.(Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran; and Chairman, importance of the kidney in the concoction, alcoholic drinks, AHAPN-Lagos, Pharm.(Mrs) Titilayo Onedo, at the World Kidney Day human body, which makes it very smoking, and so on, the association celebration. essential for people to check what urged governments to set up a they consume in order to prevent special task force to control the said there is an urgent need to the kidney cases they are treating the kidney from being damaged. peddling of herbal concoctions regulate the sales of these herbal are due to analgesics consumption. He said: “Drugs can damage and pocket-size alcoholic sachets concoctions in open places, to Majority of these artisans who work the kidney, and it is noted that on the street. reduce cases of people coming in the sun all day often complain kidney function decreases as one Speaking in an interview with down with kidney conditions. about body ache, and they just go advances in age. One important Pharmanews, the AHAPN Planning In her words: “The government on to purchase analgesics without test all of us must do to know our Committee Chairman for the World needs to step up its special task prescription. In fact, some of them kidney status is called systemic Kidney Day event, Pharm. (Mrs) force for this. Although these are in the habit of using Alabukun clearance. This will help us plan Yewande Olorunshola, decried hawkers have their own association without diluting it in water. our lifestyle better. the manner in which poisonous of traditional medicine dealers, the “According to the Deputy “If the kidney is not functioning substances are openly displayed PSN can also invite their association Director, Pharmacy Department, well, what that means is that you’ve on the streets and motor parks during the PSN Week to engage Lagos State University Teaching not been excreting drugs properly; by hawkers, which ensures easy them in discussion regarding the Hospital, LASUTH, Pharm. (Dr) the side effects will increase and access to these substances by regulation of their herbs. Perhaps Modupe Oyawole, indiscriminate worsen the kidney”, he asserted. addicts. through them, their customers can usage of analgesics, has been He listed some symptoms of Olorunshola, who also called be enlightened identified as the cause of kidney kidney problem to include: swollen on government to set up a special “If you visit the dialysis clinic at problem for most of their patients.” face, legs, stomach, and others. task force to address the challenge, LUTH, they will tell you that most of Addressing participants earlier Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 47 3/19/2020 11:59:39 AM } 48 }News Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 ACPN-Lagos tackles PCN on regulation, fee hike continued from back page association would have directed its members to ignore paying the newly hiked fee but for the timely intervention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). “For us to have a sanitised practice environment, PIC activities must be at its peak and for this to happen, both the logistics and personnel problems beleaguering the PCN must be tackled. “I am aware that PSN-Lagos has provided a vehicle to aid their activities, so that the challenge of not doing monitoring regularly would be solved; therefore, we at ACPN are also considering doing something along this line too,” he said. Speaking on the Lagos L-R: Pharm. Jonah Okotie, secretary; Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, chairman; and Pharm. State Health Service Insurance Charles Oyeniyi, assistant secretary at the AGM. Scheme, which allegedly denied Also speaking at the Pharm. (Mrs) Abiola Paul-Ozieh, Ekhator, vice-chairman; Pharm. pharmacists and some healthcare immediate past chairman, ACPN- Jonah Okotie, secretary; Pharm. providers in the state from programme, Pharm. Deji Osinoiki, chairman, Board of Trustees, Lagos commended the current Charles Oyeniyi, assistant participating as providers, Obideyi ACPN leadership in the state for secretary; Pharm. George Agbude, noted that while the insurance ACPN-Lagos, called on the federal government to, as a matter of doing everything in its power to treasurer; Pharm. Obiageri Ethel scheme concept, in itself, was good, ensure that members in the state Ikwu, financial secretary; Pharm. its implementation was fraudulent. urgency, constitute the Pharmacists Council Board, stressing that until were constantly informed and Mosunmola Dosunmu, public “As I have always said, the given a sense of belonging. relations officer; and Pharm. Paul scheme was fashioned after the the Board is established, pharmacy practice in the country would not Paul-Ozieh further urged Owolabi, editor-in-chief. National Health Insurance Scheme pharmacists in the state who were Other dignitaries at the event (NHIS), which is a failure; so it is also be fully standardised. “As at today, what we have is yet to join the association to come included Pharm. Ismail Aminu, a failure. But we are still very much on board and contribute their former chairman, ACPN, Lagos open to dialogue if the government just the registrar, who is trying truly, but has to take orders from the quotas to its advancement. State; Pharm. Bola Oyawole, former is ready. We are making some The highpoint of the AGM was chairman, PSN, Lagos State and moves to meet the Commissioner Minister of health, who, of course, is a medical doctor. So until we have the re-election of the executives former presidential aspirant, PSN; for Health in that regard; but for of the association for another Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, former now the resolution at our AGM a board in place, our hands are still tied and we have no freedom to year. The re-elected included: chairman, PSN, Lagos State; and still stands that no member shall Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, Pharm. Gafar Madehin, former participate as a provider until all operate as we are supposed to yet,” Osinoiki said. chairman; Pharm. Lawrence national treasurer, ACPN, among the issues around these scheme many others. are resolved,” Obideyi declared. In her speech at the event,

}PANS Focus } every eye that sees it. There are reports that some Why withdrawal of students over repeated pharmacy schools operate “withdrawal policy” over poor failure is questionable – President, PANS-OAU academic performance. What do you think of this? continued from page 37 our noble faculty. The results do not produce results that match our I doubt that one can see issue of mass failure in your tell the story of how much effort and efforts. That is why, as a family, both any student that believes that faculty. As the number one work the students put in over the the students and the faculty have withdrawal of students, especially pharmacy student in this school, past academic year. As students, carefully looked into the necessary pharmacy students, is the best way how would you react to this? it is our wish and goal that, at the things, the required checks, as well to go. True, the road that brings As PANS-OAU, we are really end of every academic year, we as improvements, as we all strive about withdrawal here in Ife isn’t disheartened by the news making can boldly say we have confidently to ensure that the fruits of all our one that doesn’t offer a second waves, regarding mass failure from run the required race and can labour here will be pleasing to chance before a final verdict is delivered. However, we must also remember that some of the great Ohuabunwa, Adejumo, others applaud Shalina’s Young men of science that laid most of the foundations that we now build upon Talent Award are men that failed countless times continued from page 42 but were unwavering in their quest He disclosed that at for success. the regional level, Shalina I believe that all pharmacy connected directly with students should be afforded over 700 contestants from this privilege as well. While five schools of pharmacy, understanding the rigorous out of which 16 finalists amounts of work this involves, I emerged for the grand believe that the second fall should finale, emphasising not be what will make us bring the that the pharmacy issue of withdrawal to the table, as a profession is an integral second fall is not enough to boldly part of healthcare – an say that such a man cannot stand understanding that fuels again and jump to reach for the the company’s desire skies. to assist in bringing out future talents for the Where do you see PANS-OAU industry. by the time you will be leaving The panel of judges office? at the completion The goal is to have a more comprised Prof. (Mrs) harmonised home of men with the Oluwatoyin Odeku, dean, same goals and potentials come Faculty of Pharmacy, together and begin to posit moves University of Ibadan; Prof. that will help benefit the profession, Nuhu Danjuma, dean, the country and the world at large. Faculty of Pharmacy, PANS-OAU has always been Ahmadu Bello University, a hub for great minds and this I Zaria, Kaduna State; Prof. believe can only get better. Years to Moses Akanmu, Dean, come, I see an association filled with Faculty of Pharmacy, men and women of capacity, ideas Obafemi Awolowo Somnath Malakar, managing director, Shalina Healthcare Nigeria; Prof. (Mrs) and resources able to benefit and University, Ile-Ife, Osun Glory Ajayi, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Adeleke Adekunle, improve the profession, the country State; Dr Chukwuemeka the winner; Dr Kingsley Amibor, national chairman, Association of Hospital and and the world, even from the early Ubaka, senior lecturer, Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), and Miss Folashade Salako, who years of being undergraduates. department of Clinical was the 2019 winner. Celebrating 41 Years of Uninterrupted Monthly Publication (1979-2020)

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Pharmanews March 2020 Layout .indd 49 3/19/2020 11:59:56 AM } 50 }Interview Pharmanews March 2020 Vol. 42 No. 3 Coronavirus medication could be ready in weeks - Iwu - Says $2m is required for large scale production By Temitope Obayendo

hief Executive Officer of Bioresources Development Group, Professor Maurice M. Iwu, has assured isolates) and Akiluvir (pure Nigerians and the world at large that his plant-based medicine for the treatment of COVID-19, isolated single compound) which occur in G. kola seeds that are Calso known as coronavirus, can be made available for use within the next few weeks, without antiviral. We have Garcinia in compromising safety or regulatory requirements. capsules now. Learning from that experience, we have not publicly The renowned scientist and professor of Pharmacognosy, who spoke to Pharmanews in a special named the plants to avoid people interview, noted that the plant-based treatment has lead compounds and chemically characterised consuming them on their own but fractions that have been active against more deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and all the details are in the patents, other lesser known viruses, has shown promise against COVID- 19. as required by law.

Iwu further stated that in a During your bid to expedite the availability presentation to of the revolutionary medicine for the ministers, patients in Nigeria, he had met you mentioned the three concerned ministers in collaboration Health, Science and Technology, with international to work out modalities for the laboratories on product to be ready in a few bulk extraction weeks. Below is the full text of the of the active interview: compound. Are you also in collaboration with Congratulations on the World Health your plant-based treatment Organisation on discovery for coronavirus. You this? described the medicine as a No, we are not broad spectrum antiviral drug yet collaborating based on your findings. Can with WHO. We are you explain the degree of your working with private findings concerning this much and government anticipated cure? owned institutions Please overlook the sensational in other countries in reports. We do not have a “cure” both the biological yet; but we have lead compounds assays and chemical and chemically characterised optimisation. The fractions that are active against international SARS- coronavirus that hold collaboration is one promise against COVID-19. It is of the key reasons for still work in progress. briefing the Nigerian According to the experts, government. We COVID-19 is the least lethal of Prof. Maurice Iwu already hold patents all the known coronavirus. The on the products candidate compound was found purpose, recalibration of dose and which means that active against the more deadly of the extraction and processing it is in public domain. Having more appropriate dosage-form of biomass. reached agreements with foreign SARS-coronavirus and other will be necessary. lesser known viruses. So far, it countries, it was imperative that For easy accessibility by the host country be briefed in line has been found active against Sir you cited funding as a four clinically important viruses. the populace, what distribution with Kyoto Protocol and Article 8j limitation to the large scale channel do you intend to use to of the CBD on natural products Luckily, the lead compound (BION production of this drug. What -3) is one of the most studied prevent faking? IPR to safeguard our interest. is the estimated cost for the The Bioresources Although the patents were issued natural products in history with commercial production of this a remarkable high safety profile. Development Group has always in our names, some of the benefits medicine? used only registered pharmacies accruing from them remain part of There are published reports on its We have not done the pharmacokinetics profile and the and institutional outlets for our national patrimony because numbers yet. But because of the the distribution of its dietary the compounds were derived putative mechanism of action are large scale processing equipment being reviewed. supplements and nutraceuticals from nature. that will be required for a cGMP marketed under the Intercedd We intend to follow a dual level production, we need about track of developing an active Health Products (IHP) label. Going forward, what kind of $2m (two million USD). The The raw materials can also be support are you seeking from pharmaceutical ingredient with other limiting factor is the plant all the phased clinical trials, and made available to different Nigerians and the government materials. We already operate four pharmaceutical companies to as regards this patented a phytomedicine which will be a organic farms in different parts combination product formulation manufacture under their own treatment? of Nigeria but the scale of raw label. During the presentation to containing the three agents materials that may be required (Rhygyfyn) contained in our the ministers, I explained that may call for extensive cultivation Just like your previous beyond seeking support from patents. by many out-growers on contract. Thanks to the Minister of discovery on Garcinia kola as government in cash and kind, we The International Centre a remedy for Ebola, is there need to re-examine our policy Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; the for Ethnomedicine and Drug Lagos State Commissioner for any similar plant-based food towards support for scientific Development (Intercedd) at or fruit that has shown signs of research, especially in the private Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and Nsukka can handle the single their teams for their efforts in inhibiting the causative agent sector. I pointed out that targeted chemical entity candidate of this COVID-19? studies on drug discovery and containing the spread of the drug, while our cGMP level disease. Garcinia kola is not a remedy development for Neglected Bioprocessing Centre at Umuna- for Ebola but kolaviron (mixed Tropical Diseases, Emergent Okigwe, Imo State, will take care Now that Nigeria has a few Infections and Orphan Diseases cases of the disease to handle, are usually funded by national how applicable will this plant- governments, even when such based treatment be? According to the experts, COVID-19 is the studies are conducted in private That is actually the reason least lethal of all the known coronavirus. The laboratories. for informing the relevant candidate compound was found active against I indicated that it is usually ministers in Health and Science when a crisis of the nature of the and Technology. The product the more deadly SARS-coronavirus and other coronavirus epidemics and other can actually be fast-tracked and lesser known viruses. So far, it has been found pandemics occur that the wisdom ready in a few weeks, without active against four clinically important viruses. of such contributions of funds to compromising safety or regulatory Luckily, the lead compound (BION -3) is one of a private group of researchers requirements. Two of the source become obvious and the fruits of plants are already ingredients the most studied natural products in history with such public investments become in a NAFDAC listed product as a a remarkable high safety profile. openly and publicly apparent. tea (IHP –Detox Tea). But for this

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tells pharmacists and how can you be talking about continued from back page medicinal products without the in the industry. As a pharmacists? Then if it has been Bill. regulator and an operator, limited to mental health alone, The number one pharmacist, the old scheme became a part of the medications in treating in an exclusive chat with competitor and sometimes mental health are medicines and Pharmanews, on the results of made decisions that were how can you be talking about the public hearing at the Senate not very favourable to institutions that will be treating said it was agreed that there other operators, but this or managing them or designing must be a special arrangement new scheme will not allow policies and a pharmacist is not with HMOs which will ensure that for this anymore. there? the only providers they will use Secondly as I gave them an example, are hospitals with all relevant pharmacists, we made a saying it is just like discussing professionals, adding that for case that in the board of the legal issues without a lawyer; other institutions, it was decided old scheme, there was no or discussing accounting issues that they must have relevant provision for all healthcare without an accountant. So, why will professional qualifications for professionals. We made you be discussing mental issues certification. a recommendation without pharmacists? I said you Ohuabunwa added that that there should be must involve the pharmacist both penalties have been stipulated three critical groups in in the policies and also in the for facilities that contravene the healthcare that should operation. If you reduce the billing new guidelines, noting that their be represented in the to mental health, there is a role for bills will be turned down by the board. These are the the pharmacist. If you still want to management of NHIS as well as the Pharmaceutical Society go with the substance abuse which regulatory agencies. Below is the of Nigeria, the Nigerian you say is complicating matters, full text of the interview: Medical Association, and pharmacists are there, too. the National Association So, they agreed with us that You and a few other of Nigerian Nurses and they may remove the substance pharmacists were at the Senate Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa abuse because it is more related recently for a public hearing on Midwives. Those three should to what NAFDAC is doing. It is some cogent issues. Could you be on that board, and if for any bring someone with PhD in Igbo related to what MDR is doing. So explain some of the issues and reason there is a problem of language, who is qualified, maybe the commission should just focus the outcomes? accommodating the three groups, in Islamic jurisdiction, and that on mental health, as it has more As pharmacists, we had longed because of the need to minimise will not help. It is healthcare, and economic impacts. complained that the National Health overhead cost and the size of the in fact, national health insurance All our proposals were Insurance Scheme (NHIS) had no board, then they must put one for that matter; so we agreed that accepted; there was no contention, provision for pharmacists in any healthcare professional society, it must be a relevant professional, either from those attending the way. Therefore, we expressed our and make this rotational among the and he must have qualification in hearing or the Senate. The chairman concerns and called for a review professional groups, perhaps after any of the healthcare sciences, with of the senate committee on health, to ensure that pharmacists are well three years or four years, and that additional healthcare qualifications Ibrahim Oloriegbe, was respectful integrated into the scheme. The was accepted by the committee. and character, and that suggestion to our opinion as he showed first reason for our complaint is We also suggested on the was accepted. preference to our submission. I told that the previous NHIS was both a personality and criteria for The third matter we deliberated them that I wasn’t just speaking as regulator and an operator, but the choosing the CEO of the agency. upon was the operations itself. This a pharmacist but because it is the new one is essentially a regulator What was there before was that is the corporate governance in right thing to do and they agreed. now. the person must be with relevant the operation within the context This proposed NHIS will be qualifications, good character of the NHIS. In the department, When is the next date for the able to balance its obligation by and all that; but we said that was pharmacists must be given a hearing? accommodating all stakeholders too vague, because they can prominence. It is clear that without We don’t need time for hearing medicine, no healthcare is credible. again. What we are waiting for now is to see the law. What we have done Where does the pharmacist is to challenge the status quo, while come into the picture, as most the leadership of PSN has directed private facilities do not have some of our people in Abuja to pharmacists in their dispensing continue the follow up outside the unit? hearing to help to guarantee that We agreed as pharmacists what we went to do is fixed and that there must be a condition for followed to the letter. the HMOs that the only providers they will use are hospitals with all Recently, India banned relevant professionals; and then exportation of Active for other institutions, we said they Pharmaceuticals Ingredients must have relevant professional (APIs) and drugs to all countries, qualifications for certification. including Nigeria, and the For example, a clinic cannot be NAFDAC DG also alerted on certified as a place drugs can be possible drug insecurity in used except they have a pharmacist. Nigeria. As the PSN president, If they don’t have a pharmacist, the what is your advice regarding doctor has to prescribe. Clinics drugs availability in the country? cannot dispense except they have I think that alert by the a pharmacist. That is the change NAFDAC DG, Professor Moji that is going to happen. Adeyeye was timely. In 2017, PSN held a conference and the theme What if a clinic breaches was “Medicines Availability these guidelines? Is there any and National Security”. What I am penalty for such? saying is that if we are running a The HMOs and the NHIS will country where there is too much decline to accept the bills from such dependence on external sources institutions and that is why there for help, we will run into crisis. has to be joint regulation. NHIS A good example is this case of will have its quality assurance, and coronavirus. China is virtually shut the regulatory agencies will also down, and most countries of the conduct regular inspection to make world, especially Nigeria, depend sure there is complete compliance. on China for pharmaceuticals The other issue we presented raw materials. so there is bound before them was the memorandum to be some scarcity of the drugs on mental health and substance that we are currently importing abuse commission. They are and the raw materials that we are trying to start another commission also importing. I think NAFDAC on mental health abuse; so our and the Federal Ministry of Health prescription first was that having should set up a taskforce to boost mental health and substance abuse pharmaceuticals industries. was too broad. Substance abuse is Let us assume that there is a one thing that is caused by many war. What happens, or instance, if other things. So the view was aired we have a diplomatic war the like that we should remove substance Americans and the Chinese are abuse. having.what do we do? We look However, in that substance at two areas, food sufficiency and abuse, there was no room for drugs availability. We can do our pharmacists, even with the law local plotting, but those are two that was made. So our case which areas that can cause crisis. If there we made is that if you are talking is no food and there is no medicine, about substance abuse, most of the people will rebel because their substances are medicinal products; livelihood are threatened.

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ACPN-Lagos tackles PCN on regulation, fee hike - As association holds AGM, re-elects executives By Adebayo Oladejo ising from its 2019 Annual General Meeting, held Rrecently, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Chapter, has called on the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to step up its regulatory activities in ensuring that the practice environment is sanitised, stating that failure to do so could compel ACPN members in the state not to register with the Council from next year. The association’s Chairman, Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, also lamented that the 50 per cent increase in the yearly fee, as recently announced by the Council, was arbitrarily done without due consultation with the relevant stakeholders, adding that the increase was unjustifiable as the PCN had not lived up to expectations in sanitising the L-R: Francis Chinemeze, member, Rethink Initiative team; Pharm. Chijioke Njoku, member, Rethink practice environment in line with Initiative team; Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Ltd; Pharm. Frank Eze, the promise it made when a similar winner, Young Pharmacist of the Year Award 2019; and Pharm. Kingsley Udeh, member, Rethink hike was introduced in 2014. Initiative team, at the recent Young Pharmacist of the Year 2019 award presentation ceremony, held at Obideyi disclosed that the the Pharmanews corporate head office, Mende, Maryland, Lagos. continued on page 48 Expect a reformed NHIS Bill soon, Ohuabunwa tells pharmacists - Says only hospitals with pharmacists will function in the new NHIS By Temitope Obayendo resident of the Pharmaceutical He further disclosed that the Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. new NHIS will not accommodate P(Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, any hospital without the services has assured pharmacists of of pharmacists at the dispensing an improved National Health units, stressing that such practice Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the will negate the agreement reached nearest future, following the recent with the Senate Committee on public hearing on the matter and Health on the review of the NHIS others at the National Assembly. continued on page 52

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