DrugXpert Blog

The difference between the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the Pharmaceutical society of Nigeria (PSN) have been ongoing for quite some time now. They are not the same and do not perform the same function. Although, both are working together hand in hand to give the pharmacy profession in Nigeria a good name. PSN vs PSN Definition Of PSN And PCN Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) is a professional body for practicing pharmacists in Nigeria and was established in the year 1927 to instill discipline and maintain professional ethics among members of the organization. In 1956, the association was formally incorporated under its Articles of Association and was recognized as a professional society in Nigeria by the Federal government. Read Also:   All about pharmaceutical society of Nigeria (PSN) The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) is a Federal Government parastatal established by Act 91 of 1992 (Cap P17 LFN 2004) charged with the responsibility for regulating and cont...

To open a community pharmacy, it must be registered with the corporate affairs commission (CAC) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN). PCN is the body responsible for the regulation and operation of pharmacy in Nigeria. Before a community pharmacy must be approved, it must meet PCN regulatory requirements. Location approval and facility inspection Pharmacy Inspection Checklist There are two inspections done by PCN for a new community pharmacy. They are the location approval popularly known as site approval and facility inspection known as second inspection. Location Approval (First Inspection) A new community pharmacy must apply to PCN for location inspection. There is a prescribed inspection and registration fee that is to be paid as a bank draft. The bank draft is given to the applicant with account details already printed, which is to be submitted back to PCN after making payment. Go to the PCN account office to convert the bank draft to receipt which is to be submitted with ...

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) is a federal government board that is responsible for the regulation of the education of pharmacy students, pharmacists as well as drug and related products. It was established in the 90s. Read Also:   Function Of Units And Departments In PCN Office As a body, it sometimes enters into contracts with contractors in the fulfillment of its mandate. Some of them include building PCN structure, supply of equipment and tools for the office, supply of equipment for laboratory works and many others. To be able to partner with PCN, they set out guidelines for whoever wants to. This is made easy to enable seamless operation. Whenever PCN wants a contract, they can send out invites and the lucky binder gets the contract. If you are interested, this is for you. Guidelines How To Be PCN Contractor 1. Contractor's Registration form will be released upon payment of non-refundable fee of one Thousand Naira (₦1,000.00) only, in cash /bank draft to which the ...

Code of ethics is a set of laws that govern a profession. They are made by members of the profession to protect the interests of its members from external forces and influence and prevent internal crises. Implementation and enforcement is another aspect of the code specified to prevent breakdown of law and order. What Is A Code Of Ethics? A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct business honestly and with integrity. A code of ethics document may outline the mission and values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values, and the standards to which the professional is held. When both members understand and cherish these laws, they will easily obey them. And the law should be strong to support the enforcement. Read Also :  History of pharmacy in Nigeria The code of professional conduct is the means by which the Pharmacy Profession may regulat...

There is a strong push to phase out the present chaotic drug distribution system in Nigeria. The template for the coordinated wholesale centre has been drafted and approved by the federal government of Nigeria. Unfortunately, the deadline for the complete switch to this new model has failed several times. It is believed that we will soon get it right. Read Also :  Registration procedure for hospital pharmacy in Nigeria Meanwhile, the registration of coordinated wholesale outlets have been formulated. It is encouraged that all those who wish to own one should register as soon as possible. Registration requirements for drug distribution outlet Requirements For Registration Of Premises In Coordinated Wholesale Centres Same as registration requirement for retail, distribution and importation outfit ( read them here ) and shall also include: a. Personnel i. There shall be personnel for Quality Assurance ii. There shall be personnel for Inventory Management b. Storage Facility i. Each st...

Hospitals and other institutions and facilities, such as outpatient clinics, drug-dependency treatment facilities, poison control centres, drug information centres, and long-term care facilities, may be operated by the government or privately. While many of the pharmacist’s activities in such facilities may be similar to those performed by community pharmacists, they differ in a number of ways. Difference Between Hospital And Community Pharmacy They are pharmacies usually found within the premises of a hospital. Hospital pharmacies usually stock a larger range of medications, including more specialized and investigational medications (medicines that are being studied, but have not yet been approved), than would be feasible in the community setting. Hospital pharmacies typically provide medications for the hospitalized patients only, and are not retail establishments and therefore typically do not provide prescription service to the public. Some hospitals do have retail pharmacies withi...

A community pharmacy is a business regulated by the pharmacists council of Nigeria (PCN). But before it can be registered with PCN it must be registered with the corporate affairs commission (CAC). The CAC is responsible for registration of businesses in Nigeria. There are two types of businesses in Nigeria. They are public (2 and above shareholders) and private (2-50 shareholders) companies. The public company refers to a company that is listed on a recognized stock exchange and its securities are traded publicly. A private company is one that is not listed on a stock exchange and its securities are held privately by its members. Private companies can be divided into three which are companies limited by guarantee, companies limited by shares (limited liability company, LLC),  or unlimited liability company (enterprise). Read Also :  How To Open A Community Pharmacy Companies limited by guarantee are non for profit business and the member liability will be summed up to the amo...

Community pharmacies are shops regulated by the pharmacists council of Nigeria (PCN) and national agency for food and drug administration and control (NAFDAC). A visit from their team to inspect the premises should not be a scary thing. However, an infringement on any of the law will mean one of two things; warning to change or sealing of the pharmacy. Read Also :  The only body that can seal a community pharmacy What does this mean? Warning means that the pharmacy can carry on operations but must adhere to the warning instructions. If an inspector team discovers that the toilet or the pharmacist office is dirty, they can just issue a warning to clean it up. PCN enforcement team uniform Sealing of the premise means that it should not be open to the public. They usually place their tape over the premise. There are many reasons a pharmaceutical premises can be sealed. Unsealing A Community Pharmacy It is a very simple process when you want to unseal a community pharmacy shop. However...

Community pharmacy is regulated by the pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN). However, because they sell products registered by the national agency for food and drug administration and control (NAFDAC), they are also regulated by NAFDAC. Registration of community pharmacy is done with PCN with periodic inspection by PCN on activities of the premises and NAFDAC on the sales of drugs. NAFDAC inspector team on red jacket There is no other agency in Nigeria that can inspect a community pharmacy shop. Not even the police, the army, the navy or any other security outfit. Community pharmacy and other health establishments are exempted from national, state and local government taxes such as environmental levies. This was done to reduce the cost of health care in Nigeria. The only levy on community pharmacy is the one paid to PCN. The payment to the pharmaceutical society of Nigeria (PSN) has nothing to do with the government and must not be enforced by the government. PSN cannot inspect and lock...

Registration for internship After applying for internship, receiving a congratulatory message brings so much joy. That is the beginning of another new level entirely. It means you will have to leave family and friends to a new place. Before leaving, you need to ask very well the things you will need to bring along. Ask if you will get an accommodation. If yes, confirm the properties that you need to carry along. Make adequate plan for your arrival so that you don't get stranded. Resume duty on time. That will hasten the day your internships starts. Read Also:  Steps To Start Internship On Time Application To Pharmacists Council Of Nigeria (P.C.N) The pharmacists Council Of Nigeria (P.C.N) must be notified about your employment within the next 8 weeks of your resumption. A letter of introduction should be sent by your preceptor to the local branch of PCN. Your preceptor is your supervisor. You may need to take this yourself to PCN office. That is, two letter of introduction...

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (P.C.N) is a Federal Government Agency that is charged with the responsibility of regulating and controlling the practice and education, training of pharmacists and pharmacy technician in all aspects and ramifications. They determine the standard of knowledge and skills by pharmacy students. This may be the reason for the introduction of PCN student register, which is called pharmacy student indexing. Student Indexing is a mandatory procedure for the registration of students who intend to pursue a Pharmacy program by assigning them unique identifiers (index number). Indexing will provide a link between the learners, training institutions, and the PCN. The pharmacy student register (index) which was introduced this year is to be filled by undergraduate pharmacy students and must be submitted to PCN and may be used by PCN to checkmate the activities of pharmacy schools. There may be other reasons. The information provided can be very vital for so many ...

The Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) is designed to update the knowledge of pharmacists, and enable them keep abreast of advancements in pharmaceutical development and modern trends in pharmacy. This is to enhance their skills in the process of providing pharmaceutical care. PCN's Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme for the Re-certification of Pharmacists in Nigeria. Pharmacist program Reason For Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme Every profession is evolving so too is the pharmacy profession. It is imperative of pharmacist to keep themselves abreast of recent happenings and current trends in the world of pharmacy. It is in view of this the Pharmacists Council Of Nigeria (P.C.N) has introduced a program designed for pharmacists to keep educating themselves. This program is compulsory for re-certification. How Continuing Professional Development Program Began It was in the year 1995 that a call for a...

PCN For those who have been reading this blog for some time now, you must have come across the organisation ‘Pharmacists Council Of Nigeria (P.C.N)’ a couple of times. This is because this organisation, which came into play since 1992 have a lot of roles it plays in the life of those aspiring to be pharmacist, undergraduates and pharmacist in general within the country. Today, we shall see what this organisation is all about and how it has so much to play in the life of every pharmacist out there. The organisational structure and how it operates shall be explained here. From today onward, we all will know much about them. Read Also:   Structure and function of PSN PCN, an organisation that was instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria (F.G.N) in the year 1992 (Decree now Act) controls and regulates every aspect of pharmacy practice in Nigeria. This range from both education pharmacy students receives to how pharmacy practice within Nigeria. Functions Of PCN ...