My Take On FG’s Codeine Ban – Aisha Buhari

Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of Nigerian president, has given kudos to the Federal Government over its recent ban on the importation and vending of codeine syrups in the country.

Mrs Buhari, who decried the high rate of drug abuse among Nigerian youths especially in the northern region of the country, said the government “has done well” bay banning codeine as syrup and as one of the substances used in preparing cough medicine.

She equally said pharmacists have a role play in stemming the increasing rate of women who now abuse drugs in the country.

“Government has done well by banning the importation of codeine for the preparation of cough syrups as well as retailing of codeine-containing cough syrups without prescription,” said the First lady while receiving members of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALP) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

“There is the need for pharmacists to comply with the enforcement directive. Lady Pharmacists as mothers, have special roles to play in protecting women and youths against drug abuse,” she said

Responding, the National Chairman of the association, Zainab Ujudud Shariff, applauded the First Lady’s efforts in alleviating the sufferings of women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country.