PCN inducts 322 UNN graduates

By Hilary Akalugwu

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has inducted 322 fresh graduates from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

At the 47th oath-taking ceremony in Nsukka on Saturday, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, Registrar of PCN urged the graduates  to maintain high ethical standard set by the council to avoid sanction.

Ahmed said that  the council would not hesitate to sanction any member that failed to adhere to the ethics of the profession.

” Oath-Taking and Induction ceremony is one of the criteria required by PCN Act 2022 before registration is granted to anyone as a Pharmacist.

“As you take Oath today and become inducted as members of the profession, I urge you to maintain high ethical conduct and standard set  by the PCN.

“Endeavour to serve as example for the achievement of excellence in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable health care delivery in Nigeria.

“PCN abhors professional misconduct in its entirety, therefore, any member found guilty of any professional misconduct risks withdrawal of his or her practicing certificate from the council,” he said.

The registrar noted that the second phase of the graduates training starts with the compulsory one year statutory internship programme.

“I  enjoin you all to take this one year very seriously as there may not be opportunities to make up for any time wasted.

“You are expected to pass Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacist (PEP) after your internship to be eligible to practice in  the country,” he said.

In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, congratulated the new inductees for their hardwork and commitment that made it possible for them to be inducted into PCN.

Represented by Prof. Pat Okpoko, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, the Vice Chancellor urged them to adhere to the ethics of the pharmacy profession as well as being patriotic to the country.

In a remark, Mr Uchenna Nwana, the Managing Director, Syiken Ltd, who chaired the occasion, commended the faculty for making the graduates worthy in character and learning.

“I urge graduates who will be doing their internship in different areas such as Industrial Pharmacy, Community Pharmacy, Regulatory Pharmacy, among others to adhere to the code and ethics of the profession,” he said.

In a keynote address, Mr Nnoli Nnaji, representing Nkanu East and Nkanu West Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, called on the new inductees to adhere to the ethics of the profession.

“A well nurtured behaviour, ethics and attitude such as proper bookkeeping, commitment, sociability, lenience, diligence alongside sincerity and responsibility constitute the backbone of pharmaceutical professionalism.

“Most characteristics of professionalism are rarely obtained or learnt from textbooks, tutorials and lectures, but can be obtained and instilled via professional socialisation practice,” he said.