A community pharmacist and founder of Tolu Pakad Pharmacy and Stores, Ado-Ekiti, Pharm. Akin Peter Adewale, has called on the Federal Government to strengthen drug regulation and boost local manufacturing to guarantee access to safe, affordable and quality medicines.
Adewale, who spoke on RISING ICONS, a Newshereandthere Podcast, said stronger intervention and stricter control of drug distribution were essential to protecting public health.
He identified inadequate local manufacturing capacity, weak regulatory enforcement, rising cost of medicines and proliferation of counterfeit drugs as major challenges facing the sector.
The former chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Ekiti State Chapter, established Tolu Pakad Pharmacy and Stores in April 1989.
He said his motivation was to provide residents with genuine medicines without having to travel to Lagos to obtain scarce drugs.
“My motivation for setting up the business was to provide residents with genuine medicines and access to a wide range of pharmaceutical products without travelling to Lagos,” Adewale said.
He attributed challenges in the sector to regulatory gaps and insufficient local production capacity, noting that Nigeria’s large population requires a stronger manufacturing base and more effective laws governing importation, distribution and sale of drugs.
He contrasted Nigeria’s estimated 77 pharmaceutical manufacturing plants with thousands of facilities in countries like India and Pakistan, saying the limited capacity has increased dependence on imported medicines.
While acknowledging efforts of local manufacturers, he said greater investment in domestic production was necessary to reduce dependence on imports.
Adewale also called for stronger regulatory oversight to curb circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs.
He said agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, face enormous responsibilities and need adequate staffing, improved resources and more effective enforcement.
Speaking on how consumers can avoid fake drugs, he said his pharmacy maintains a deliberate procurement system.
“We prioritise original manufacturers, authorised importers and recognised distribution channels. We source products directly from reputable manufacturers and their authorised representatives,” he said.
He added that careful purchasing decisions, price scrutiny, traceability and customer feedback have helped the pharmacy maintain confidence in its products.
On family support, Adewale said his wife made significant contributions after leaving her teaching career to join the pharmacy, describing the enterprise as a family business under Tolupakad Ventures Ltd.
He said the pharmacy contributes to professional development through mentorship and practical training for pharmacy students, but warned against training unqualified persons to dispense medicines independently.
“Pharmaceutical practice requires appropriate professional education and regulatory authorisation,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of proper storage for temperature-sensitive products like insulin and vaccines, warning that poor handling could compromise quality even when products were originally genuine.
Reflecting on early challenges, including losing a consignment of medicines purchased for a supply order, Adewale credited perseverance, family support and faith for the survival of the business.
He urged young pharmacists to learn from experienced practitioners, develop specialised skills and build credibility with suppliers.