From Femi Mustapha, Kaduna
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN,) Kaduna state branch has lamented the incessant harassment of its members by personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA.)
While addressing journalists in Kaduna, Friday, the Chairman of PSN Kaduna State branch, Pharm. Sunday Ali Okoh, revealed that the Agency had on several occasions unduly, illegally, and unprofessionally obstructed and hindered their roles, considered to be a life-saving profession only to feather their nest.
He lamented the excesses of NDLEA and called on the presidency and the National Assembly to curtail the excesses of the Agency in Kaduna state adding that it is disrespectful to the Profession.
This is as the group said that they are aware of the role of the Agency to arrest and prosecute dealers of illicit drugs but not to the extent of disrespecting the rights of patients and hindering pharmacists from carrying out their statutory roles.
He said, “We wish by this medium draw the attention of the state and federal government as well as relevant stakeholders and the general public to the incessant harassment of members of PSN in the hands of NDLEA Kaduna state Command for some time now and we say Enough is Enough.
“We say to NDLEA, respect the rights of patients and allow pharmacists to carry out their statutory roles. All over the planet earth, the rights to medications (life) are fundamental.
‘It is worthy to note that pharmacists are licensed to import, export, mix, compound, prepare, dispense, counsel, sell, procure, and distribute drugs and poisons, PCN Established Act, 2022.
“Time without number, the NDLEA has unduly, illegally, and unprofessionally obstructed and hindered these life-saving roles only to feather their nest, exploit Nigerians, collect bribes, and force their victims to give assent that bail is free after collecting millions of naira.
“Law enforcement agents have become lawbreakers. Allow pharmacists to do their work. Arresting pharmacists and obstructing bail applications with a cover-up – investigation is ongoing, confiscating prescription drugs at pharmacies and placing a seal on the pharmacists can no longer go down the throat.
“Pharmacies are legal entities and many patients’ medications are stored in them. Sealing up pharmacies is as good as denying the citizens the right to life and we call on the Presidency and the National Assembly to curtail the excesses of NDLEA in Kaduna state,” he said.
