Following federal government's directive, the
Pharmacists Council of Nigeria has started recalling
cough syrup containing codeine from its stakeholders
- Regulatory bodies were directed by the minister of
health, Professor Isaac Adewole, to supervise the
recall
- This is because the drug is being abused by some
Nigerian consumers
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) says it
has started recalling cough syrup containing
codeine from its stakeholders in compliance with
federal government's directive.
The registrar of PCN, Elijah Mohammed, revealed
this in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, May 19 in Abuja.
The minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewole,
had directed PCN, NAFDAC and other regulatory
bodies to supervise the recall of codeine from the
market, NAN reports.
NAIJ.com notes that Mohammed reaffirmed that
codeine is an opioid drug similar to morphine
which has been approved and accessed over the
counter in low doses for relieving patients of
symptoms associated with dry cough.
According to the registrar, codeine in such
preparation, usually in smaller doses, serves as a
cough suppressant and relieves pain associated
with the stress of coughing.
He said: “However, due to its inherent properties when
used in high doses over a long period, it has been associated
with dependence and powerful addictive propensity
especially when used for recreational purpose."
Mohammed noted that the council in view of the
ministerial directive has carried out enforcement
exercise in Ogun, Sokoto and Nasarawa states,
adding that same activities were currently going
on in Adamawa.
The registrar noted that the council had met with
the leadership of the National Association of
Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors
(PPNVs), among other stakeholders, in the
pharmaceutical industry in order to facilitate the
recall.
Mohammed, who emphasised that codeine
containing cough preparation was not included
in the approved medicines list of PPMVs,
however urged them to desist from the sales of
codeine and other unethical drugs in order to
guard against sanctions.
According to him, the council as part of efforts to
rid off codeine in the society had also met with
the leadership of the Association of Community
Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) and they made a
strong commitment to enforce the recall process
as well.
the registrar said: “In continuation of various efforts of
implementing the ministerial directives, PCN enforcement
team has been strengthened to ensure strict compliance
with regulations and extant policies as they relate to the
council’s mandate.
“PCN is the agency of the federal government established by
Cap P17 LFN 2004 and charged with the responsibility of
controlling and regulating pharmacy education, training
and practice in all aspects and ramifications."
Mohammed, however, appealed to
manufacturers, importers and distributors of
drugs to display more sense of ethical and moral
responsibilities in the production, supply and
sales of codeine.
He added: “Economic interest and financial
considerations should not override the health implications
associated with the abuse of these preparations. The health
of Nigerians must come first before any other interest."
Meanwhile, adegokblog .com previously reported that the
National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was
directed by the federal ministry of health to ban
with immediate effect further issuance of
permits for the importation of codeine as active
pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup
preparations.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday,
May 1 by the minister of health, Professor Isaac
Adewole.
Pharmacists Council of Nigeria has started recalling
cough syrup containing codeine from its stakeholders
- Regulatory bodies were directed by the minister of
health, Professor Isaac Adewole, to supervise the
recall
- This is because the drug is being abused by some
Nigerian consumers
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) says it
has started recalling cough syrup containing
codeine from its stakeholders in compliance with
federal government's directive.
The registrar of PCN, Elijah Mohammed, revealed
this in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, May 19 in Abuja.
The minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewole,
had directed PCN, NAFDAC and other regulatory
bodies to supervise the recall of codeine from the
market, NAN reports.
NAIJ.com notes that Mohammed reaffirmed that
codeine is an opioid drug similar to morphine
which has been approved and accessed over the
counter in low doses for relieving patients of
symptoms associated with dry cough.
According to the registrar, codeine in such
preparation, usually in smaller doses, serves as a
cough suppressant and relieves pain associated
with the stress of coughing.
He said: “However, due to its inherent properties when
used in high doses over a long period, it has been associated
with dependence and powerful addictive propensity
especially when used for recreational purpose."
Mohammed noted that the council in view of the
ministerial directive has carried out enforcement
exercise in Ogun, Sokoto and Nasarawa states,
adding that same activities were currently going
on in Adamawa.
The registrar noted that the council had met with
the leadership of the National Association of
Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors
(PPNVs), among other stakeholders, in the
pharmaceutical industry in order to facilitate the
recall.
Mohammed, who emphasised that codeine
containing cough preparation was not included
in the approved medicines list of PPMVs,
however urged them to desist from the sales of
codeine and other unethical drugs in order to
guard against sanctions.
According to him, the council as part of efforts to
rid off codeine in the society had also met with
the leadership of the Association of Community
Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) and they made a
strong commitment to enforce the recall process
as well.
the registrar said: “In continuation of various efforts of
implementing the ministerial directives, PCN enforcement
team has been strengthened to ensure strict compliance
with regulations and extant policies as they relate to the
council’s mandate.
“PCN is the agency of the federal government established by
Cap P17 LFN 2004 and charged with the responsibility of
controlling and regulating pharmacy education, training
and practice in all aspects and ramifications."
Mohammed, however, appealed to
manufacturers, importers and distributors of
drugs to display more sense of ethical and moral
responsibilities in the production, supply and
sales of codeine.
He added: “Economic interest and financial
considerations should not override the health implications
associated with the abuse of these preparations. The health
of Nigerians must come first before any other interest."
Meanwhile, adegokblog .com previously reported that the
National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was
directed by the federal ministry of health to ban
with immediate effect further issuance of
permits for the importation of codeine as active
pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup
preparations.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday,
May 1 by the minister of health, Professor Isaac
Adewole.
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