In an effort to protect public health, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) is calling on the Federal Government to ban the open sale of drugs in marketplaces.
Mr. Chris Oisakede, Chairman of the PSN, emphasized that the availability of drugs in open markets contributes to the increasing drug abuse among youths.
In his appeal, he stated, “I am concerned at the devastating effects of drug abuse on youths, but the ease with which drugs are available in the open market is worrisome.”
Oisakede urged the government to implement a structured redistribution system that would encourage prescription-only sales to curb drug abuse and trafficking.
“Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa where open markets sell drugs alongside other goods. This deviates from the standard as the sale of drugs offered in open markets, like other goods, encourages abuse, addiction, and trafficking. It is not realistic for us to fight drug usage when drugs are easily accessible for purchase in open markets,” he empathized.
Oisakede also recommended that the nation’s elementary and secondary schools include a lesson on the negative effects of drugs in their curricula. Adding to that, in order for kids to make informed choices, they need to be taught about the risks associated with drug usage.
Source: Healthwise.punchng
