Kemi Olatunde
Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reiterated his commitment towards supporting good intentions of pharmacy profession in order to foster good pharmacy practice in the state for the benefit of the good people.
The governor disclosed this during the pharmacy week 2023 and World Pharmacists Day in Akure with the theme ” Pharmacy from Generation to Generation” which also featured fund raising in support of Olu Akinkugbe Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo state.
The Governor said his administration established the Ondo State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency to improve access to essential drugs and health commodities, ensure availability of high-quality drugs in the State at very affordable prices and provide lasting solution towards healthcare commodity security across tertiary, secondary and primary healthcare facilities within the state
Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Prof Dayo Faduyile, Akeredolu stressed that government had the interest of the health professionals at heart which was the main reason it approved the recruitment of health professionals to fill the gap for those who have left to other countries.
He hinted that the move would in no small measure guarantee the availability of high-quality drugs for individuals and institutions and ensure the stability of prices of medical supplies within the state.
He explained that the move is primarily to strengthen the healthcare system in the state for effectiveness and efficiency for the benefit of pharmacy profession and for the good people of the state
He emphasised that his administration has also supported the establishment of the pharmacy department in the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo and has promised the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million to be part of the fund to be used for erecting the building would be made available immediately by the government
Akeredolu said his administration had appointed a pharmacist as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health which has demonstrated that Pharmacists have what it takes to lead
He charged medical professionals in Nigeria to move from traditional ways to technology for relevance and quality service delivery, noting that world is revolving and they need to embrace new innovation in the medical field
The Head of Service, Mr Kayode Ogundele represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health congratulated Pharmacists in the state for a successful week, saying Arakunrin Akeredolu led administration would continue to prioritize the welfare of Pharmacists in the state
The HoS commended the governor for appointing first Pharmacist as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health while also explaining that the government had set up Task Force on Counterfeit Drugs to combat the menace of fake and counterfeit drugs in Ondo state.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof Abiodun Ogundaini, Pioneer Dean UNIMED, Faculty of Pharmacy charged Pharmacists to upgrade themselves to technological realities of today in order for them to still be relevant in providing quality service to their patients.
