Pharmacists Protest Over Alleged Harassment By NDLEA in Kaduna

The Kaduna State chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has protested against alleged harassment and extortion  by operatives of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Addressing a pressing conference on Friday Sunday Okoh, State Chairman of the PSN declared that the incessant harassment of pharmacists in the state  by the NDLEA is becoming unbearable.
The PSN accused the agency of intimidation, illegal arrest, and demanding for bribes from its members.
“We wish to use this medium to draw the attention of the federal and state governments as well as relevant stakeholders and the general public to the incessant harassment of members of the Pharmaceutical  Society of Nigeria (PSN) by  the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna state Command for sometimes now and we say enough is enough”, Okoh said.

The association asked the NDLEA to respect the  rights of patients and allow pharmacists to carry out their statutory roles.
The association said, “All over the planet earth, the right to medications (life) are fundamental. It is worthy of note that pharmacists are licensed to import, export, mix, compare, dispense, counsel, sell, procure and distribute drugs and poisons (PCN Establishment Act 2022).
“Times without number the NDLEA has unduly, illegally and unprofessionally obstructed and hindered these life saving  roles only to feather their nest, exploit Nigerians,  collect bribes and force their victims to give assent that bail is free after collecting millions of naira.

“Law enforcement agents have become law breakers. What a shame? Enough is enough, NDLEA. Allow pharmacists to do their work.
“Arresting pharmacists and obstructing bail application in the name of ongoing investigations, confiscating prescription drugs at pharmacies and placing a seal on the pharmacies can no longer go down the throat”.
Okoh maintained that Pharmacists are legal entities and many patients’ medications are stored with them, adding that “sealing  up pharmacies is as good as denying the citizens the right to life.”
The association called on the National Assembly and the Presidency to curtail the excesses of NDLEA in Kaduna state.

The PSN lamented that in the past four months, the NDLEA allegedly harassed five of its members, raiding premises and  seizing products in transit.
“Even when you identify yourself as pharmacist, they will pick you up and lock you up, then you go through negotiations, and that is the challenge we have.
There is one (incident) that happened about two weeks ago.
“The consignment (of drugs) was intercepted along the road. They followed the product to the pharmacy and they picked the pharmacist and the boys in the shop.
“The pharmacist was released after some days following persistent follow up trying to let them know that the person is a pharmacist but they were not ready to listen.

“We are not saying our erring members should not be apprehended when they indulge in illegalities.
As an association we also have a mechanism for checkmating our members
“We  have our laws and ethnics. If they find some us wanting, let them follow due process and operate within the provisions of the law.
Reacting to the allegations, Samaila Danmalam, Kaduna state Commandant of the

NDLEA,  said as far as he was concerned, the NDLEA will not allow anyone who violates the law to go free.
“My only comment is, if you do wrong, NDLEA will not let you go scot-free. If you are doing the wrong thing, the law should take its course, “he said in a telephone chat.

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

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