Academy of Pharmacy inducts six new fellows

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy has inducted six distinguished professionals into its esteemed ranks as fellows at an Investiture ceremony held in Lagos. Those inducted included the Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, former deputy provost, University of Lagos, Prof. Herbert Coker; one-time national pharmaceutical advisor, World Health Organisation, […]

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy has inducted six distinguished professionals into its esteemed ranks as fellows at an Investiture ceremony held in Lagos.

Those inducted included the Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, former deputy provost, University of Lagos, Prof. Herbert Coker; one-time national pharmaceutical advisor, World Health Organisation, Dr. Ogori Taylor.

Others were first African woman to bag the fellowship of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in the US and Professor of Pharmaceutics, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; Pharmacy Residency Director, Mercer University College at Atlanta Medical Center, Dr. Teresa Pounds and communications management consultant and CEO XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa.

Speaking at the Investiture of the new fellows, President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi said the individuals inducted were those with a strong passion for scientific research.

"These are tested professionals who appreciate the value of research in fast-tracking the social and economic progress of societies", he said.

He described pharmacy as the bedrock of effective healthcare delivery in the country and the most trusted healthcare provider as well as a driving force behind the discovery of new drugs.

President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, (PSN), Ahmed Yakasai, said the body was committed to making Nigeria the hub of pharmaceutical production and research in Africa.

“Through a well-tailored plan which we have broken down to short, medium and long-term plan, we are looking to promote pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria and examining the possibilities of producing about 70% of what the industry needs especially the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients while importing the remaining 30%."

Yakassai also announced the establishment of the PSN Foundation which would be launched in Abuja on October 17, 2017, adding that the 90th celebration of the PSN is billed to hold in Umuahia later.

World-renowned cancer researcher and professor of pharmacology at the University of Maiduguri, Professor Isa Marte Hussaini called for greater commitment on the part of the government to the funding of research in the country.

“Inadequate funding is still a big challenge for Research and Development in Nigeria, as well as lack of constant power supply and non- availability of reagents which we have to buy from US and UK. We need more research grants in our country; it is not about the personnel but the tools to work with. All over the world, there are Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the field of medicine", Hussaini said.