By Hassan Zaggi
The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has inducted 159 foreign pharmacy graduates who have completed and were successful at the First Cycle of 2021 Foreign Pharmacist Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP).
The Registrar of the Council, Pharm. Elijah Mohammed who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said that registration for the second cycle of the FPGOP has been scheduled to commence on August 15, 2021.
He explained that the second cycle would take place at the University of
Ilorin, Kwara State (North) and University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State (South).
He, however, advised interested candidates and the general public are advised to visit pcn.gov.ng for more information on the programme.
Pharm. Mohammed, however, charged pharmacists in the country to brace up for the third wave of the COVID-19, which, according to him is imminent.
“It is evident that the world is facing the third wave of COVID-19, characterized with the Delta variant of the virus ravaging many countries.
“Let me therefore on this note, implore all colleagues to continue to rise up to the defense of the good people of Nigeria while also ensuring adequate protection of yourselves against the virus. “
He revealed that: “In keeping pace with the determination to sanitize the pharmaceutical practice environment, the PCN Enforcement team has stepped up the tempo of its activities nationwide.
“In this regard, the team visited Edo State within the month of July. During the enforcement exercise, a total of 348 illegal premises were sealed and this comprised of: 84 Pharmacies and 264 Patent Medicine Shops; while 22 compliance directives were issued to others for minor offences.
“The premises that were sealed were found not to be in compliance with the various regulatory provisions of the PCN mandate.”
He, therefore, applauded all Pharmacists in Nigeria for their diligence and hard work towards ensuring the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable healthcare delivery in the country, calling on them not relent but let us remain resolute.
