Ahead of its official inauguration next week, the Pharmaceutical Wholesalers & Distributors Association of Nigeria, PWDAN, has identified the dislodgment of a systematic drug distribution since Nigeria’s independence as the greatest challenge in the practice of pharmacy in the country.
PWDAN decried that over time the dislodgment has resulted in what it described as an unending chaotic drug distribution that has promoted circulation of fake, adulterated products, and treatment failures among others.
Making this assertion during a forum to announce the formal inauguration of PWDAN this week, the Chairman, of PWDAN, Pharm. Ernest Okafor regretted that lack of political will on the part of the Nigerian government has remained unchanged amidst the development and best practices required by the World Health Organisation, WHO.
“The growth of wholesale and distribution sector of the pharmaceutical Supply Chain is hampered by poor infrastructure as evidenced in power, water, transportation, and unsteady foreign exchange rate. In the same instance, funds for infrastructural upgrades, working capital required is limited and when available, they come with high interest rates and short repayment periods, and demanding for unending collaterals. “
READ ALSO: Four arrested for hijacking trailer load of Golden Penny flour in Ogun Okafor said the birth of PWDAN would change the narrative in pharmacy practice as wholesale and distribution as positioned in the National Drug Distribution Guidelines was critical to ensuring an effective and efficient delivery between the manufacturer and patient.