Cross River govt closes down quack pharmacies

Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the Cross River State commissioner for health, has suspended vendors operating a pharmacy at the general hospital, calling them quacks.
He said that they had not made any payments to the State’s coffers for more than a year, and claimed that they are to blame for the extent of irregularities that plague the hospital.
Ayuk took the step after complaining about the lack of certified staff during an unplanned visit to the hospital on Monday evening.
“The people managing the pharmacy are not qualified. They do not have any background in pharmacy; so we do not know why they are there.
“As far as I am concerned, that place is a quack shop because it does not have the required personnel. How do you ensure quality assurance when you do not have even pharmacy technicians, which is a minimum requirement for such services?
“Accordingly, I have directed that there should be a review of the memorandum of understanding.
“I have asked that their services be suspended. Government officials (the Medical Superintendent, accountants of the hospital and Ministry of Health, hospital pharmacists, etc) have been directed to take charge, have a record of the stock balance, and ensure accountability in their operations until more effective arrangements are put in place.”
The Health Commissioner also appealed to those in charge of the laboratories to block revenue leakages through accountability.
He noted that a certain body was collecting about 15 percent of revenue generated in the hospital and distributing it to the appropriate quarters.
“We have also asked that they come to the office for their agreement to be looked into, too. We want to see exactly what value they are bringing to the hospital that guarantees the 15 percent they receive,” he stated.
He used the opportunity to commend the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, for restoring doctors’ services to hospitals after a 40-day halt.