Agency
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Edo State chapter, called on the Federal Government to ban the open sale of drugs in markets in the interest of public health.
The Chairman, Mr Chris Oisakede, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin City, the state capital on Wednesday.
He said that the availability of drugs in the open market was partly responsible for the rise in drug abuse among youths.
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 FG to implement a structured redistribution system that would encourage prescription-only sales to curb drug abuse and trafficking.
“Nigeria is one of the few places in the whole of Africa where you can find drugs being like other products in the open market.
“This is an aberration from the norms. Drugs are not sold in the open markets like ordinary products, this practice is encouraging abuse, addiction and trafficking.
“We cannot be campaigning against drug abuse when drugs are readily available for purchase in the open markets; it doesn’t work that way,” he stressed.
Oisakede further called for the addition of Harmful Drug Effects in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools in the country.
The chairman added, “We need to educate our children about the dangers of drug abuse so that they can make informed decisions.
“We need to teach them that drug abuse can lead to addiction, health problems, and even death.”
(NAN)
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