By Yagana Ali, Yola.

The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has destroyed illicit and expired drugs worth over 100 million Naira in Adamawa state.

The PCN Adamawa State Chairman Ibrahim Talba, while briefing newsmen, said the drugs were seized from stands across the state as part of the organization’s efforts to rid the state of expired and fake drugs.

“Members of the public should always check the expiration date on any medicine they are buying,” he advised.

Taliba also urged owners of pharmacies and patent medicine stores to stop displaying expired drugs on their stands.

The Deputy Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Pwamakino Mankendo, who represented the Speaker, Iya Abbas, supervised the destruction at kwanna ware, a suburb in Yola, the state capital.

The speaker commended the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, for not allowing these expired drugs to get back to the market, particularly in the rural areas.

He noted that “if these drugs get to the end users it will not only destroy the health of our people.”

Adamawa state National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Commander, Femi Agbolu who also spoke at the event said the drugs would be abused with concomitant adverse if allowed into society.

Pharmacists across the country have solicited increase in their wages.

They made the demand during the observance of World Pharmacists’ Day in Lokoja on Sunday.

Dr Lawal Mohammed, the Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, (PSN), Kogi Chapter, made the call, observing that wage increase would boost pharmacists’ output.

“Due to the economic hardship occasioned by the global economic recession, pharmacists are suffering over poor remuneration.

“In fact, there have been mass exodus of pharmacists out of the country for greener pastures because of the meagre pay and poor welfare.

“The gab left behind had unfortunately given rise to quackery in the profession, thereby putting the lives of innocent people in danger, ” he noted.

Mohammed explained that the Kogi Chapter of the society carefully chose this year’s theme — Pharmacy United in Action for a Healthier World — to underscore the importance of the day.

He said that the federal government had to do something urgent to address the plights of pharmacists in the country.

He expressed concern that in spite of the huge impact pharmacists were making in the health sector, “we are not being appreciated as our take home pay is nothing to write home about.

“Many of our colleagues are jetting out of the country to look for greener pastures.

“We are using this medium to call on the government to look into the welfare of pharmacists across the country”.

Mohammed also called on the public, especially the youth in the country to desist from substance abuse and other vices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

By Propser Okoye, Abuja

Two medical practitioners, Dr Denis Richard Shatima and Dr Hauwa Galadima Shehu, have been referred to the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (MDPDT) for adjudication by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The referral by the  Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria followed an indictment of the duo over the death of nine year-old Miss Disney Nwanne upon a petition filed by the Mother of the deceased,  Mrs Faith Nwanne via an affidavit dated  October 5, 2020.

Disney Nwanne died on February 4, 2020 at the Angelic Care  Hospital, Garki,  Abuja in circumstances that the Mother suspected negligence by the Medical Personnel at the health facility.

The Council had conveyed the report of the indictment to Mrs Nwanne in a letter dated October 4, 2021 with the title: “Re:Affidavit of facts of Mrs Faith Nwanne Against Angelic Care Hospital and Maternity and Dr.

D. R. Shatima For Malicious Medical Negligence And Sunsequent Death of Miss Disney Nwanne in the Weak Hands of the Medical Staff of Angelic Care Hospital and Maternity Garki, Abuja On The 4th of February 2020.”

In the letter signed by Council Secretary, Dr ED Abdu, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY ASSET, the Council stated that : “Further to the affidavit of complaint dated 30th September, 2020 on the above subject, and the counter affidavit of the underlisted doctors: Dr. Denis Richard Shatima dated 18th December 2020,  Dr. Hauwa Galadima Shehu dated 22nd December 2020, Dr. Titlayo Kayode – Alabi dated 11th May 2020 and  Dr. Arinze Ezeanyagu dated 17th May 2020, The Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Investigation Panel at its 9th session held at the Council Chambers, Medical and Dental Council House, Plot 1102 Cadastral Zone B11, Kaura District, Abuja on Friday, 17th September 2021 concluded investigation on your petition.

“A Prima facie case of misconduct in a professional respect was established against Dr. Denis Richard Shatima and Dr. Hauwa Galadima Shehu. The matter has been referred to the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (MDPDT) for adjudication.

“The Panel did not establish any prima facie case of misconduct against Dr. Titilayo Kayode – Alabi and Dr. Arinze Ezeanyagu.”

Mrs Nwanne had in a 13-paragaraph affidavit alleged that “poor handling and treatment from the doctors” led to the death of her daughter.

She  stated further that owing to the circumstances of her daughter’s death, she demanded for a report about the possible causes more so as a nurse allegedly sprinkled water on  her daughter, while she was a patient at the facility after the said Nurse had   administered a “suspicious injection” to the late Miss Nwanne.

Mrs Nwanne also stated that  to her surprise, the Chief Medical Consultant, Dr. Denis R. Shatima produced two reports “dated 20th February and 28th February 2010” for an incident that happened on 4th February, 2020”

It was  learnt that the “conflicting reports” were attached to the affidavit and formed part of the evidence that enabled the Council arrive at the decision to indict the senior medical personnel.