The department of Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health is the pivot on which the state free Health programme revolves since the success of Health care delivery system depends on the availability of drugs and dressings.

The department is saddled with the responsibility of making drugs and dressings available for health care delivery in all public health Institutions in the state.

It also touches on such other aspects as Pharmaceutical inspection and monitoring, eradication of counterfeit and fake and unwholesome drugs, closure of illegal Pharmaceutical premises, drug abuse control and Herbal research and development.

Summary of Achievements

• The Pharmacies in the General Hospitals and some comprehensive Health Centres were recently monitored for drug redistribution so as to prevent drug wastages due to expiration and also to ensure efficient drug usage in our various hospitals. The findings on the field formed basis for drug procurement that was done recently, this has helped procure drugs based on patents needs and not just mere projection.
• About 80 Pharmacists and 30 Pharmacy premises have been issued licenses for 2013 after due inspection and monitoring activities of the department in collaboration with PCN.
• About 200 patent medicine stores have also been inspected by the department in collaboration with PCN.
• Free drugs worth N100 million Naira have been procured and same had been distributed to various public health institutions across the state this year 2013.

Pharmaceutical Inspection and Monitoring

• The Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee (PIC) of the department is mandated to ensure compliance with standards and regulations of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in Pharmacy premises (both public and private) in the state.
• Patent and Proprietary Medicine vendor License Committee monitors, controls and training in collaborations with PCN for the patent Medicine vendors in the state.

Task Force on counterfeit and fake Drugs and Unwholesome substances

• In view of the danger posed to the public by counterfeit and fake Drugs, a task force established by Decree 25 of 1999 in collaboration with NAFDAC police and Ministry of Justice ensures that on counterfeit and fake Drugs are eradicated in our society.
• The department also in collaboration with relevant agencies is involved in the campaign against drug abuse and misuse.
• This campaign includes Radio and T. V. Jingles, distribution of handbills, seminars for prison inmates and secondary school students, Drivers, market women and people from all works of life against drug abuse and misuse.

Herbal Research and Development

• In view of the fact that out herbal remedies need to be developed like the Chinese and Germans, a committee was inaugurated and has its secretariat in the department to research and develop hers and medicinal plants for inclusion in the Health care delivery system of the state.

Drug purchase and Distribution

• The department in conjunction with Department of Finance and Administration procures drugs and distributes same through Central Medical Store to various public health Institution in the state. The free Health programme covers pregnant women, children U-5, 6-18 years and above 70 years of age.

Registration Unit

• Annual registration and processing of licenses: The department also processes forms for registration and licences of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy premises and Patent Medicine Stores. The licences are issued by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).

For pharmaceutical services related information and enquiries, please contact:

The Director

Department of Pharmaceutical Services

Ministry of Health

Alagbaka, Akure.

Ondo State

Email:dps@ondostatemoh.gov.ng

Telephone: 08035850160

Pharm. Lasekan G.O.

Director Pharmaceutical Services