NDLEA, NASS seek partnership with medicine dealers
NDLEA on Tuesday at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta, sought the collaboration of patent medicine dealers to check drug abuse and trafficking.
NDLEA made the request in collaboration with the National Assembly Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics at a sensitisation workshop for patent medicine dealers.
In his lecture, Commandant of the NDLEA in Delta, Barrister Babatunde John, called on drug and medicine dealers to desist from dealing in prohibited drugs.
He said that consumption of unwholesome and prohibited drugs like Codeine and Tramadol which had become rampant among youths, had destroyed many lives.
"As patent medicine dealers, you are expected to be professional in plying your trade. Don't buy or sell prohibited and illicit drugs because you want to make money.
"You know what the law says about these drugs, and you equally know that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. So, please, let us do what is right,'' John said.
Addressing the workshop, Dr Christabel Okoye, Executive Secretary, National Association of Nigeria Drug Monitors, charged medicine dealers to support government's efforts at checking drug abuse among youths.
She reminded them that the war against drug abuse and trafficking called for collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to save humanity from destruction.
"All over the world, the issue of drug abuse and trafficking has become very worrisome. It is a cankerworm that we must rise to stop.
"As registered medicine dealers, you have a duty and responsibility to complement government's efforts at curtailing this deadly menace.
"Let me remind you that with your role in the provision of medicine and drug services to our people in the communities, you occupy a very important position in public health services.
"That is why I want to urge you to be professionals in your dealings. You must be compliant with NAFDAC rules and regulations at all times,'' Okoye said.
In his address of welcome earlier, Chairman of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers, Delta Chapter, Prof. Benjamin Owhe-Ureghe, commended the National Assembly committee for organising the workshop.
He described the role of patent medicine dealers as very pivotal in the dispensation of healthcare services.
"As health merchandisers, we have been licenced to save lives, and in doing so, we must ensure we carry out our job with utmost care and sincerity.
"The proper use of medicine or drugs can save lives, but when not used properly, can equally kill.
"This workshop will also enrich our knowledge on the proper use of medicines and what is expected of us as dealers in the fight against drug trafficking,'' he said.
The chairman used the occasion to appeal to the National Assembly to put in motion a framework for the recognition of patent medicine vendors under the law.
"I use this medium to call on the National Assembly to create a board for patent and proprietary medicine vendors licence holders just as we have for nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and traditional medicine practitioners,'' he said.
The workshop was attended by more than 500 patent medicine and drug dealers in Delta.
The workshop had: "The role of medicine dealers in curtailing drug abuse and trafficking'' as its theme.
