Speeches

Public Presentation Of A Book, Excellence In Pharmacy Practice Management: The Fred Adenika – Legacy And Launch Of The Fred Adenika Foundation

Feb 20, 2009 - Health related issues are so important and dynamic in our information age that efforts of any individual or group to keep practitioners abreast of current issues that engender development in the sector should be commended. The public presentation of the book, Excellence in Pharmacy Practice Management – The Fred Adenika legacy by Pharmanews Limited is therefore a testimony of the brilliant vision of your organisation to create awareness and promote healthy pharmacy practice and management among the practitioners in Nigeria. It also shows your genuine intention to support the provision of quality healthcare delivery system in our society.

I am therefore delighted to be part of this occasion of the public presentation of the book “Excellence in Pharmacy practice management: the Fred Adenika Legacy and launch of The Fred Adenika Foundation”. I warmly welcome the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, His Excellencies Danbaba Suntai, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Christopher Alao-Akala, and Segun Agagu, the Governors of Taraba, Osun, Oyo, and Ondo States to Lagos the Centre of Excellence.

The challenges confronting us in the health sector have necessitated initiatives of this nature, I believe that constant training, education and exposure to literatures, especially in the area of pharmacy would enhance the practice of our pharmacists. Aside this, the practitioners could exploit the benefits provided by Information Communication Technology (ICT) to seek new knowledge, innovations, and trends from other developed countries to help them in their practice. Information is powerful and our achievements and advancement will be a function of the quality of knowledge we acquire in a particular endeavour. I am sure that this book, among several others would be another inspiration and a reference point in the practice of pharmacy.

Our Pharmacists need to find a harmonized position on how to tackle drug counterfeiting, smuggling, quackery and many other issues that would raise the standard of the pharmacy practice. As it is the practice all over the world, drug manufacturers should be made to put in place measures like holograms, marks, special inks, to safeguarding their products and also assist regulatory agencies in post marketing surveillance.

It takes healthy men and women to drive a buoyant economy. Pharmacists in collaboration with other agencies such as National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should assist in providing adequate information to the public on the purchase, usage and administration of drugs. The public should be consistently enlightened on the best healthy lifestyle that could enhance life expectancy and significantly reduce infant and maternal mortality.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish to commend Pharmanews Limited for taking the lead since 1979 in the education of pharmacists and other healthcare personnel through publishing of periodicals and training. The magazine has really helped to ensure consistent improvements in the quality of health reporting, resulting into public health services and awareness. I am therefore not surprised that you have in collaboration with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) came out with this publication to further underscore your commitment to better pharmacy practice in Nigeria.

In Lagos State, we are committed to deliver qualitative, affordable and functional healthcare services to our citizens through applying appropriate technology by highly motivated staff and applying best practices at all levels of care. Part of what we have done to achieve this is to address the issue of human resources for the health sector which is aimed at continuing health programmes, enforcement of regulations as well as public health education. We are confident that our health reform agenda would achieve efficient, quality, affordable, accessible and effective, health services to the populace with a view to improving their health profile.

Once again, the efforts of Pharmanews Limited and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) must be celebrated, I congratulate you on the successful public presentation of this book “Excellence in Pharmacy Practice Management – The Fred Adenika Legacy”. I am sure that the book “Excellence in Pharmacy Practice Management – The Fred Adenika Legacy has adequately provided information that would help and support pharmacists and stakeholders on pharmacy practice management.” I believe that this knowledge would also help them to support government’s effort to deliver quality healthcare services.

Similarly, the launch of The Fred Adenika Foundation would also encourage other individuals, interest groups and non-governmental organisations to partner government in successful healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

I am sure that the legacy of this great man would continue to speak loudly to many generations, It is therefore my pleasure, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, to support the presentation of this book “Excellence in Pharmacy Practice Management – The Fred Adenika Legacy” and join you in launching the Fred Adenika Foundation to the glory of God and the benefits of our people.

Thank you and God bless.

Eko O Ni Baje O!

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Executive Governor,
Lagos State