Rally: Count us out, FCT drug dealers tell national body

The Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicines Dealers (NAPPMED) FCT chapter has dissociated itself from the proposed rally organised by the association’s national body on Sunday.

A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Mr Theophilus Odoh, NAPPMED President FCT Chapter, said that their members would not participate following a court judgement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Federal High Court sitting in Ondo, had on April 28 dismissed the suit by NAPPMED against the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).

The suit sought to stop the PCN from regulating activities of members of NAPPMED.

The court further held that the PCN Act of 1992 empowers PCN to regulate the affairs and functions of pharmacy and matters related to the Pharmacists profession.

Odoh, however, noted that the decision was in honour of the court decision and sequel to its Central Executive Council meeting which upheld the PCN as its regulatory body.

He also noted that the FCT branch disassociated itself from the proposed rally or any form of demonstrations by any group or imposters under the guise of NAPPMED to ensure the integrity of the PCN.

“FCT chapter of the NAPPMED wish to bring to the attention of the general public on its dissociation from a proposed rally/summit organised by the national body of NAPPMED.

“This statement is a follow up to our letter to the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria on our dissociation from the proposed rally and summit.

“We further dissociate ourselves from rally or any form of demonstrations by any group under the guise of NAPPMED with a view to opposing or degrading the regulatory authority of PCN and indeed FG.

“We also seek to state that we are law abiding citizens and stakeholders that are sincerely committed to ensuring universal access to quality healthcare delivery and genuine medicines by the general public,’’ the statement quoted Odoh as saying.