KADUNA- The Pharmafluence Education Advancement Network (PEAN) is set to hold a community outreach on Saturday to promote safe medicine use in Kaduna State.
In a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Kaduna by Kenneth David, he said, the event would take place at Ungwan Rimi Market, in Kaduna.
The PEAN, led by David, supported by the British Pharmacological Society, aims to educate traders, artisans, and shoppers on the dangers of unsafe medicine use.
He explained that the outreach follows a successful month-long awareness campaign on medication safety.
David said a previous seminar at Narayi High cost in Kaduna reached over 350 people, who learnt about the importance of proper medical guidance before taking drugs.
He recalled that the participants pledged to become medication safety ambassadors in their neighborhoods.
“The seminar broke down what often sounds like complex hospital talk into simple, memorable principles, ensuring the right person takes the right medicine, for the right condition, at the right time, through the right route, and for the right duration.
“We also shared practical tips such as safe storage away from sunlight, moisture, and children’s reach, and avoiding expired products.
“People were surprised to learn that poor storage can render medicines harmful or ineffective even before their printed expiry date.
“This shows us how much the community needs such interventions, and that is why our upcoming outreach at Ungwan Rimi is so important,” David said.
He, therefore, said the upcoming outreach would focus on practical tips for safe medicine use, including safe storage and avoiding expired products.
David lamented that many people unknowingly purchase and use medicines from unqualified sources, exposing themselves to dangerous side effects and treatment failures.
He said the PEAN’s goal was to empower the community with the right knowledge so they can make safe and informed health decisions.
David stated that the community outreach was expected to benefit market women, youth, commercial motorcyclists, food vendors, and shoppers.
“PEAN is working to reduce the risks associated with unsafe medicine use in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
