Change Of Baton: Pharm(Dr). Abiodun Aiyeku Gives Account Of Stewardship 2018-2021

It has been 3 fulfilling but challenging years for Pharm.(Dr) Abiodun Aiyeku, State Chairman, Ondo Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria ( PSN) as he handed over the baton of leadership to the newly elected chairman of PSN to run the affairs for the next three years.

Going down history lane, Pharm. Aiyeku said the story of his PSN Chairmanship would not be complete if he failed to mention the support from his then General Manager (who was then also the National Chairman of the National Association of Industrial Pharmacists ) the present National Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Prince Gbenga Falabi FPSN who got the Managing Director – Chief Ebere Nwosu to approve his application to run for the office. Chief Nwosu also gave his blessing and support throughout the 3 years

This singular move later saw him moving up the ladder from Area Manager to become the Regional Manager and in the last 3 years, he recounts the support from his wife, Dr. Mrs. Aiyeku and the entire Executives and members of the PSN.

On some of his achievements in office in 3 years, Pharm. Aiyeku states:

1. THE ONDO STATE HEALTH CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME LAW
   The Bill to confer legitimacy on the Health Contributory Scheme which started in November 2017 during Ogunjemiyo led-administration which I served as the General Secretary was perhaps one of my greatest struggle for relevance in pharmacy profession in Ondo State.
   We were able to reduce the membership of medical doctor on this board from 11 to 3.
   We also made the position of both the Chairman and General Manager Open to all Healthcare provider against the original law which says only medical doctors should be.
   This bill cost us money, sleepless nights; time and energy.
2. UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES TEACHING HOSPITAL LAW.
   This is another challenging law for the PSN but we were able to make a great stride and better gain than that of Health Contributory Law.
   . Some of three major highlights of this signed law among so many gains are:
   . making drug revolving fund as the the proceduce for drug procurement.
   . the transcription of the DRF into a legal entity and
   . having 2 pharmacists Statutoryly as a board member was achieved.
   . Having the Director of pharmaceutical services as a board member in the Teaching hospital
   . Most importantly the first law in Nigeria where the Director of Pharmaceutical Services of a Teaching Hospital sits on the board of a teaching Hospital just like the CMD ( The first in Nigeria)
   The PSN EMERGED WITH TWO BOARD MEMBERS in the signed law by the Governor
3. SCHOOL OF HEATH TECHNOLOGY LAW
   PSN opened the Headship of the School from being Medical/Dental Doctors only to other health professionals with a master’s degree. Also; we liberated the Board Membership to all health professionals.Board membership was skewed to department available like school of health technology e.g. pharmacy technician department.
4. PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY LAW
   This is another big one for the pharmacy profession as we opened up the position of the Permanent Secretary to all qualifying Health professionals unlike the Old law which made the leadership of the board only Medical doctors hence pharmacist can now become Permanent Secretary.
5. THE REGULATION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH PRACTITIONER LAW.
   Perhaps this is the only less-stressful bill. Nonetheless, we contributed by ensuring all facilities that stock drugs or drugs manufacturing and/or sales outlets must have at least a Pharmacist under its employ.This hs been committed to committee level.
6. The Drug Management and Health Commodity Agency Bill. We has concluded the public hearing of the bill. The bill is waiting passage into law with So many potentials for the state

THE ELECTION OF HON (PHARM) GBOLUGA IKENGBOJU AS A FEDERAL HOUSE OF MEMBER REPRESENTING OKITIPUPA /IRELE FED CONSTITUENCY.
PSN Ondo States gave full support to one of our own Hon. Dele Ikengboju Gboluga who was elected into the National Assembly and eventually appointed Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Matters. He has since also been of considerable help and support to most of our Bills that affect pharmacy practice in the National Assembly.

EMPLOYMENT OF PHARMACIST TO CIVIL SERVICE OF ONDO STATE.

1. INCREASE IN INTERNSHIP SLOT. The PSN under my administration was able to get a Fifty Person – INTERNSHIP SLOT FOR PHARMACIST. DR AKINDELE AKINRUNTAN AND THE PSN CHAIRMAN, DR ABIODUN AIYEKU mobilized all that we had, wrote the last letter after several other letters has been written. The then Head of Service, Dr. Toyin Akinkoutu gave the final approval after our Elder Pharm. Kayode Ogunsulire called him.
2. EMPLOYMENT AT HMB: The leadership of the psn made a case to the Government of Pharmacists’ shortage. We were referred to Recruitment Committee which led to 14 (fourteen) being employed. We further made another case; which let to additional 6 recruitments.
3. THE BOARD OF ALTER MEDICINE a case for the transfer of pharmacist to Head the unit of HERBAL AND ALTERNATE MEDICINE was made , and a promise that it is been looked into, we did not follow up due to the fact that the department has been fully formed at the Federal ministry of Health and needed to be domesticated at the state level.

4 . UNIMEDTH a case was made for employment at university of medical sciences teaching hospital 20 pharmacists was approved for employment, I sat at the interview panel too at the recruitment process
A case was made to PCN for a visitation panel to UNIMETH to strengthen the operation of Pharmacist in the Hospital and it was done. A strong support was always there from PSN to this hospital. However the management of pharmacy are not firm as the hospital is highly indebted to many company and are not ready to pay.

1. THE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY advertised but left the pharmacist out, however the PSN leadership moved and a letter of was generated by the office of establishments and the head of service has recommended Nine (9) slot for approval to the state governor. No Health worker has been employed since then.

THE NEW PHARMACY HOUSE
The committee headed by Dr. Felix Akinyemi commenced the project in October 2019 after three architectural design was received, the One submitted by the Architect of the Vice Chairman of the Building Committee Pharm. Oguntomesho was accepted. By early march the chairman building committee travelled to the United States and was held back by Covid 19, the Vice chairman refused to take up the responsibility due to family issues and the Secretary Osahon was transfer to FCT.Abuja. Necessity was laid upon me to avoid a failed project , I have to swing into action with some support from the PSN Secretary to continue work and Victor Adebayo. Today the rest is history. We have a new masterpiece of architectural design, a New conference room and a library.

THE PHARMACY LAND OR ESTATE
The dream to have a land for pharmacist was suggested by the then financial secretary Pharm Ogunmodede during Adekola administration as, However only 2 people subscribed.(Pharm Akande FPSN and Pharm Folashade Adeolu.).
When Ogunjemiyo Administration took over, Pharm Ashaolu FPSN and the then secretary Dr Aiyeku was mandated to get a land and get people to be interested, ( my chairman specifically told me to do everything practically possible to get the project working) later the committee members were expanded with Pharm Akande and pharm Saheed. Two sites were proposed, one along Owo road and the other Federal Secretariat road. We work assiduously to deliver a befitting land with good topography. The Aiyeku led administration worked very hard with the Exco, what was supposed to be a land dream was transformed to what is called Pharmacy Estate. Today we has phases 1 ,2,3, and 4 of the pharmacy estate with about 115 plots of land. The Perimeter survey was not only done but the Certificate of Occupancy of the Phase 1 ,2, and 3 is already signed and issued by the Governor.
We already have the tentative approval of loan and a go ahead for the technical of the Architectural design and documentation to be complete.

A PSN multipurpose cooperative society was formed to enrolled all members as a prerequisite for the estate loan from the Federal mortgage Bank. Documentation was also carried out with insurance of passbook. Presently we have engage with the developer and the bank for application approval .

Project and Design Associate Ltd an accredited Federal mortgage Bank partner has been engaged as the Developer, we has been working with them in the last 3 years. The documentation of the phase 4 is ongoing. Meeting has commence with federal mortgage bank and the PMI and the PSN for the mortgage commencement.

THE EMPLOYMENT OF LAWYER
The PSN for the first time got the retenalship of a lawyer, Omoshola Odusola. This became necessary when we were having problem with large amount charged by the Landowner then in transfer of process of the land to the PSN. The lawyer has before now help in the tax impose issue on the the ACPN business premises and other illegal tax to the community pharmacy. Stoppage of advisement of herbal medicine among other .

THE ACPN NATIONAL ELECTION. TAGGED EDO 2019
The election of the ACPN national chairman Sam Adekola was one of the major task undergo by the leadership of PSN under the Administration of Aiyeku/Adetunji. The PSN called for financial support by all PSN members and people responded, the PSN also made contribution to the election and the Thanksgiving at Akure. The Director General Pharm Babalola Taiwo worked hard The PSN chairman Dr Aiyeku Led an advances team where we spent 10 days, campaigning from one shop to the other in other to making sure our candidate win the election, we won by a narrow margin of 4 votes.

THE AHAPN NATIONAL ELECTION 2019
This conference product the the immediate past Chairman of the PSN Pharm Olabode Ogunjemiyo FPSN as the National Treasurer of the association

FELLOWSHIP OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCEITY OF NIGERIA.
The State PSN privilege committee was constituted by the Chairman Dr Aiyeku was led by Pharm Oluwatimilehin FPSN, with Pharm Bodede as member and Pharm Adetunji as secretary . Four Pharmacist were presented and we recorded 100% feat.
1.Pharm Osundolire Funmilayo
2.Pharm Akande J O.

1. Pharm Famakinde A A, and
   4.Pharm Ogunjemiyo Olabode

The PSN in conjunction with the Board of Fellows Ondo state had a grand reception to Honors Four Fellows . The highest number of fellows recorded in the history of Ondo state . The Total number of Fellows in Ondo our state rose to Nine .

THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT ROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES.
The creating of this department was not without it attending problems between the two Directors involved , Aladenola who heads the new department also play a significant role in the creation too, this department started as a unit originally created by the DPS Lasekan metamorphosed into an independent department shortly after the separating of Directorate of pharmaceutical services from Directorate of Logistics at the primary healthcare development Agency Law where the PSN play a very prominent role . the elders resolving the problem was led by the former Director of Pharmaceutical services Dr Omosa , other members are Pharm Ashaolu FPSN , Akande FPSN, Olowatimilehin FPSN, Babalola Taiwo , Osundolire ,Ashaolu and the PSN Chairman Dr Aiyeku.

MANDATORY CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME MCPD.
The leadership of PSN organized MCPD for it members, we did modulus 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
We also did Mop up modules for those who are deficient in some modules. We did brought in Obafemi Awolowo University Ile ife at one instant and later Delta state University Abraka on another instant..

ASSOCIATION OF LADIES PHARMACIST ALPS.
The emergence of the Folashade Adeolu lead executive brought a renew synergy amount the younger ladies and cooperation , the result is the association of ladies pharmacists Ondo state branch was able to get a product in the process of registration with NAFDAC called SUNSHINE COCONUT OIL. The Certificate of incorporation of the company has since been done . This product was on displace and sale at the Oshogbo Conference. UP ALPS,

THE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY , UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, ONDO .
The leadership of the PSN made an initial conscious effort to get the government see the reason to start a school of pharmacy but funding was a major issue that stood on the way. In February 2020. The new vice chancellor Prof Fatusi engaged Prof Fola Tayo who instituted a Twenty two man committee to brain storm to commence a new school of pharmacy to be known as Akinkugbe college of pharmacy . The PSN Ondo state had a day in the program when we hosted our guest to a befitting reception. By the grace of God the college of pharmacy is schedule to take off by October 2021.

ULTRA LOGOSTICS COMPANY LTD .
The Oshogbo conference saw the emergence of one of our own Hon. Bamiduro Dada being elected as the Chairman board of Director of ULCO with full support of the PSN Chairman and it leadership Other directors are Chima Ogbu (chairman River state PSN) Ajibade Abiodun (immediate Past Chairman Oyo state PSN ) Ade Popoola (MD Reals Pharma). Ondo State is the Fourth Highest Subscriber to Ultra Logistic

ELDER TRUST FUND. The Akande Led committee report adopted by the house set aside N5,000 for every pharmacists for the purpose of taking care of our Elder in need . The elder when turned 70 years too will be exempted from all State PSN dues henceforth. As we all know that old age is associated with low productivity and ill heath with little most time little fund. The PSN chairman in conjunction with the Pharmacy Advisory board will consider those elder that will benefit from this fund.

ONDO PSN MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY .
The Ogunnola led committee report which produce the Bye Law for the Cooperative was adopted by the house as a working document for PSN Ondo State. The primary purpose for forming this cooperative was born out of the requirement of the Federal Mortgage Bank to access long term loan for the building of a propose 100 housing unit to be called Pharmacists Estate. The cooperative have been form in 2019 and fully registered in 2020. Two bedroom , Three Bedroom and a Duplex at the Bank maximum amount of 6m, 8m and 15m respectively. Contributors are only required to make a 10% of the house sum and the house will be completed and hand over to them. The cooperative can further engage with other business. The PSN chairman Aiyeku Abiodun been the vice has since assume the Chairmanship following the transfer of Pharm Ogunnola to Abuja for training so as to make progress of the land matter

ONDO BYE LAW REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The Nwedozie led committee was saddle with the responsibility to fashion out a bye law for Ondo State PSN . this is the first time a bye law review committee was put in place in Ondo State PSN as we had never had a bye law . so enormous work was involve .. the report is expected to concluded before the end of this present Administration.

PROMOTION OF PHARMACISTS TO GRADE LEVEL 17
We made conscious effort to help in promotion of our members to grade level 17 without been permanent secretary, first with Dr Totin Akinkouto tenure as head of serve, this went to Exco and the fact that many other category of professional are agitation, a financial implication was demanded for all civil servant who are qualified . Obviously the cost would be too much for the government and the idea was jettison. With the release of the new scheme of service, and the approval of the Pharmacists consultancy status and a New Head of service for the state, the PSN Exco leverage on some of our members who close to some people in government , hence another presentation has been done with all relevant document attached. Lobby has continued.

TASK FORCE ON FAKE COUNTERFEIT AND UNWHOLESOME PRODUCTS ACTIVITIES.
The activities of the the task force improved and was at it peak as we carry out enforcement activities every month until the covid 19 pandemic took it toll on the world . this eventually slow down all activities .

PHARACY INSPECTORATE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
The Pharmacy inspectorate also improve on it meeting against previous years from every 6 months to almost bi monthly meeting , in spite of the unhealthy rivalry in the top echelon in the committee we were able to move on. The PCN state officer was sent on training which bring another chapter in the PIC activities

PROMOTION TO PERMANENT SECRETARY.
One of our own Pharm Foluke Aladenola, the Director of supply chain and pharmacy investment was promoted to Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health by his Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in my last days in office. The first time a pharmacist would head the ministry of Health in Ondo State.