The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Akwa Ibom state branch called on the commissioner for agriculture, Akwa Ibom state to partner with the society in providing a research farm for medicinal plants cultivation in the state.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr (Mrs) Offiong Samuel Offor, the State Chairman of PSN , Dr Akwaowoh Akpabio stated that the state is blessed with medicinal plants. He stated that most synthetic drugs have their origin from plants and animals. He stated that our corn and cassava starch can be processed into pharmaceutical starch.
He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture is saddled with the responsibility to plan, devise and implement the State policies on Agricultural resources; hence the move to collaborate with the ministry in areas of medicinal plants cultivation, research and development.
The PSN, AKS chairman says that such collaboration will further improve the utilization of untapped benefits of medicinal plants in healthcare services in the state and the country at large. Dr Akpabio also stated that the research and development will also help in the development of high standard active pharmaceutical ingredients from various plant and animal sources. This, the PSN, AKS believe will grow the industrialization agenda of the present administration.
Dr Akpabio also used the medium to invite the commissioner to her 2022 Pharmacy week which is scheduled to hold in October 2022.
The Chairman added that one of the highlights of Akwa Ibom State Pharmacy week, will be fund raising ceremony for the completion of the maiden Drug Information center here in Uyo. The project when completed will serve as a central point where drug information will be given to the public leading to right use of drugs.
Responding, the commissioner for Agriculture Dr (Mrs) Offiong Offor thanked the PSN-AKS for the visit. She hinted on her Ministry’s readiness to immediately commence the paper work for the research farm which she noted was apt and timely.
The commissioner also pledged to be part of all future programs of the association as pharmacists depends on plants and livestock to produce drugs.
