In the interest of public health, the Edo State chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, or PSN, has requested the federal government to outlaw the open sale of pharmaceuticals in marketplaces.
The call was made in Benin on Wednesday by Mr. Chris Oisakede, the society’s chairman.
He emphasized that a contributing factor in the growth in drug usage among young people is the accessibility of narcotics on the open market.
“It worries me that drugs are so easily accessible in the open market, but I am also concerned about the terrible effects of drug abuse on young people,” he stated.
To stop drug addiction and trafficking, he encouraged the federal government to put in place an organized redistribution system that would promote prescription-only sales.
One of the few countries in all of Africa where medications are available for purchase on the open market with other goods is Nigeria.
This deviates from the standard. Since drugs are not offered in public markets like other goods, abuse, addiction, and trafficking are encouraged.
“It doesn’t work that way; we can’t be fighting against drug abuse when the drugs are easily accessible in the open markets,” he declared.
Oisakede also demanded that the nation’s elementary and secondary schools include a lesson on the negative effects of drugs in their curricula.
To empower our kids to make wise decisions, we must teach them about the risks associated with drug abuse.
We must impart to them the knowledge that drug misuse can lead to addiction, health problems, and even death,” he said.