KIDNEY FAILURE: Pharmacists warn Nigerians against drug abuse
Citing its implications on the vital organs of the body, pharmacists in the country have warned Nigerians against abuse of common painkillers and over-the-counter drugs which, they said, could lead to kidney failure (a serious condition in which the kidneys fail to rid the body of wastes) in unsuspecting patients.
According to them, wrong usage of drugs especially painkillers have damaging effect on the kidneys and liver, stressing that every drug is a potential poison if not properly used.
The pharmacists disclosed this at a public enlightenment campaign organised by the Drug Information Centre (DIC), of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ACPN), to mark the 2017 World Pharmacy Day in Lagos.
They enjoined those in the pharmacy profession especially, those in the community practice, to strategise on attaining the global goal of the pharmaceutical profession, which is moving from research to healthcare, and service delivery.
Lagos Chairperson, ACPN National, DIC, Pharm. Bukola Folorunsho, explained that the World Pharmacists Day is celebrated to commemorate and honour the contribution of pharmacists to the world, saying community pharmacists were at the community to show the public that pharmacists are at their service always.
“In our day to day practice, we have realised that a lot of people are ignorant of how medicine works; as a result, series of abuse is ongoing in the country, to the extent that people now use drug for different purposes, other than the purpose the drug is meant to serve.
“Antibiotic abuse is on the increase, as well as abuse of so many other drugs. Thus, as pharmacists, we have set today being a very special day globally aside to attend to people free of charge and meet their needs in the aspect of drug and pharmaceutical care”, she said.
Commenting on the theme of this year’s celebration, “From Research to Health Care: Your Pharmacist is at your service”, which was chosen to reflect the numerous contributions of the pharmacy profession to the healthcare sector, she assured the populace of their selfless services – including medicine information, patient counselling, drug information and medication review, counselling as well as enlightenment.
In his remarks, Publicity Secretary, HealthCare Providers Association of Nigeria, Pharm. Jonah Okotie called on the Federal government to shut down open drug markets across the country as part of measures to reduce abuse of drugs among Nigerians.
Okotie noted that when drugs are abused, people tend to come down with several life threatening illnesses such as kidney and liver problems.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to source their drugs from registered pharmacists in their various communities.
The event witnessed free counseling and screening for various illnesses as well as free distribution of drugs to over 500 beneficiaries.
Angela Onwuzoo
