PSN calls for investigation to alleged corrupt activities by CEOs of health institutions
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called upon the Federal Government to investigate alleged corruption cases involving some Chief Executive Officers of the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).
The call was made in the communique from the 96th annual national conference of the PSN, titled ‘Jewel City 2023.’ The conference expressed concerns about the existence of over two million unregistered drug sellers in the country.
The communique, signed by PSN President Prof. Cyril Usifoh and National Secretary Mr. Garfa Madehin, mentioned that the conference took place from October 30 to November 4 at the Gombe International Conference Centre, Bauchi Road, Gombe State, Nigeria.
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According to the communique, “The conference called for the probe of corruption against some of the CEOs of the FHIs, whom empirical data confirms, indulge in the procurement of drugs through their proxies in addition to diverting Drug Revolving Funds accruable to identifiable bank accounts that are not official accounts in their institutions.”
Furthermore, the communique highlighted the need for a special retreat to revitalize the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) by bringing together Heads of Departments of Pharmacy and the CEOs of all the FHIs, with a caveat to mandate the PSN National Executive Council to sponsor the retreat if the Federal Ministry of Health is interested in collaboration.
The PSN also cautioned about the potential rise in the mortality rate in the health system, emphasising the importance of funding for the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
It underscored concerns about the presence of unregistered drug sellers, open markets, and the prevalence of fake drugs and drug abuse.
The communique stressed the need for proactive measures to address emerging diseases and urged the government to allocate funds to research-based pharmacists in pharmaceutical institutions.
The conference’s recommendations aimed to address the challenges within the healthcare system, emphasising the importance of government intervention and collaborative efforts to ensure the effective regulation and provision of pharmaceutical services in Nigeria.