In advanced societies, if the latest finding is anything to go by, a case where drugs are strictly utilized under the supervision of pharmacists, how much worse will the patient be in Nigeria, where there's chaotic drug distribution?
Nigerians are patronizing unlicensed pharmacies amidst recent findings that drug-related deaths rank third after heart disease and cancer globally. In addition, some allege that pharmacy services are more time-consuming and expensive.
Curbing Unlicensed Drug Use In Nigeria
Most Nigerian patients or clients don't know it is not just about giving drugs. Still, it is also about the dispensed drug information that accompanies medications.
Every drug has specific and accompanying Drug Information that guides its proper usage; otherwise, such use could turn out hazardous. Some of the harmful effects may not manifest immediately.
Unfortunately, many Nigerians are abusing or misusing drugs, and others are irresponsibly self-medicating and being non-adherent to guidelines for their medication usage.
It is foreseen that there will be a very high incidence and prevalence of drug-related deaths or complications that go unreported.
One keeps wondering about the negative impacts and drug-related complications that could have been caused by the unchecked activities of traders and quacks who have infiltrated and hijacked the Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria.
Therefore, effective drug education, medication review, and counseling. Are the only way out of this menace. Such practice could be accurately provided only by Pharmacists.
They are healthcare professionals trained to excel in the knowledge and actions of all types of drugs.
Since the highest trained healthcare Professionals on drug knowledge and matters are Pharmacists, any other person who assumes a Pharmacists duty and is involved in drug refilling, handling, or dispensing as an occupation is a Usurper or an Impersonator.
Such a person's actions pose great havoc to the health of the citizens and must be discouraged.
And even when other trained healthcare professionals handle medications, it will be under a pharmacist's direct supervision. So, again, this is a proper healthy practice.
In some cases, many people are more concerned about the cheap cost of their medications and the less time spent in non-properly registered drug outlets or non-pharmacies. Still, they are oblivious that most such drugs could either be fake, substandard, or subject to misuse due to the absence of professional guidance.
It partly explains why many Nigerians suffer from drug resistance, treatment failure, drug-induced diseases, adverse drug reactions, and even untimely death.
Many people in the country think that every person that handles drugs in a drug outlet is qualified and that one does not need to spend time with the Pharmacist.
Some think a Pharmacist is just anyone in a drug store, and they know who a Pharmacist is.
Many are unaware or don't care to know that any Pharmacist they see in Nigeria must have graduated from the University and is licensed.
Some Pharmacists have advanced degrees in patient-oriented pharmacy practice or clinical pharmacy.
Also important is that many fake drug outlets in Nigeria do not have signposts indicating their names. It makes them unidentifiable and dangerous.
An establishment dealing in drugs should have proper signage showing if it is a patent medicine shop, pharmacy, or supermarket. Before drugs can be safe for use, they will be accompanied by professional information and education from the medications experts and the Pharmacist.
