…Mulls resuscitation of pharmaceutical factory, Ijebu-Ode
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
In its quest to promote and to encourage research in the medical field, the Ogun State Government is to establish the Professor Lateef Salako Institute of Research at the Olabiisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.
The State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who disclosed this at the maiden edition of the late Prof. Lateef Salako Memorial Lecture held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, said the research institute is also to honour the late professor, who was once the Chairman of the Hospital.
The Governor also stated that his administration would take a look at its comatose pharmaceutical factory at Ijebu-Ode with a view to resuscitating it.
Abiodun noted that Nigeria as a country needs more research into drugs or medication action and its attendance effects on human body system.
He described late Prof. Salako as one of the fathers of Medicine in the country who contributed to the development of pharmacology, through research, reading and mentorship.
“Late professor Salako was a Nigerian physician of international repute. His quest for knowledge, love for mankind and his desire to be a thoroughbred professional took him around the world thus making it possible to impact positively in humanity,” he stated.
He added that Professor Salako had served the nation and his state of Ogun in many capacities, saying that the best way to immortalise him is for Nigerians and in particular, the young professionals to emulate his value for service to humanity and the humility he displayed while alive.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, represented by the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos, Dr. Adedamola Dada, in his speech, said that the Federal Government was working on policy that would make drugs available to Nigerians at a reduced cost.
While urging the young ones to emulate the erudite scholar, the Health Minister, enjoined pharmacologists to work towards reducing incident of medication errors in the profession.
Retired Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Renal Consultant, Professor Abdulfatah Mabadeje, in his remarks, described late Salako as a true friend who contributed to the development of clinical pharmacology in the country, adding that the Nigerian Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, has taken steps to discourage the young ones from wrong use of drugs.
In a lecture titled, ‘The Science of Pharmacology in Health: The Nigerian case,’ the guest lecturer, Professor Ibrahim Abdu-Aguye, from the College of Medicine, Kaduna State University, said pharmacology plays important roles in the health sector which is promoted largely by the Local Government, States and supported by the Federal Government.
He noted that pharmacy is an interplay between chemicals and human cells, maintaining that pharmacology apart from producing medicine, drugs, foods, vaccines, also produces poison, hence the need to careful in its usage.
He said the nation lost a golden opportunity to be a vaccine producer during the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that the nation has few pharmacologists, and more are needed to be trained to bridge the shortfall.
Prof. Abdul-Aguye, however, proposed that for the nation to meet the required number, there is a need to reintroduce the 12-15 months professional masters degree in clinical pharmacology, establishment of National Clinical Training Centre as well as the establishment of National Toxicology Centre in the country.