Kano State’s pharmaceutical business was found in shambles eight years after Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s second tenure.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the state Commissioner for Health, made this revelation while receiving executives from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kano Chapter.
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The pharmaceutical market, particularly the Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), was struggling to survive.
However, with the establishment of a drugs wholesale market at Dangwauro, things are starting to look up. Dr. Labaran emphasized the need to enforce the full utilization of the site to sanitize the drugs market in Kano state.
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The commissioner attributed the success of pharmaceutical services in the state to seeking input from technical working groups before making recommendations to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
He urged pharmaceutical business handlers to conduct their activities with caution and integrity, as fake and expired drugs can be reshaped and repackaged.
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Dr. Labaran also expressed satisfaction with the sponsorship of pharmacists to study in India during his previous tenure as commissioner.
This initiative increased the number of registered pharmacists in Kano state from 51 to over 100.
Pharm. Mustafa Umar, Council Chairman, praised Dr. Labaran’s efforts in transforming the state’s health sector. He noted that the commissioner’s return was timely, as pharmacists were concerned about the fate of the DMCSA.
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However, with Dr. Labaran’s leadership, things are returning to normal, and drug availability in public health facilities has increased to 96%.
Kano state is set to host the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria’s conference in November, expecting 3,000 to 5,000 pharmacists to attend.
The state government has been working to improve the pharmaceutical industry, including signing a memorandum of understanding with local pharmaceutical companies to boost the supply of essential medicines .