September 25th has been recognised and celebrated as World Pharmacy Day since 2010. The day is meant to project pharmacy and pharmacists to the public, creating awareness of our activities as a profession. This year, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigerian (PSN) declared a week-long celebration from Sept 18th-25th. In line with the general focus, the theme in Nigeria is “Safe Medicines for Nigerians, who cares?”

As a community pharmacy, Lily Pharmacy has been playing her part in encouraging its patrons to use drugs safely. For example, we noticed the tendency for parents of young children to arbitrarily increase the dose of paracetamol given to their children on the mistaken belief that fever or pain will subside quicker. We proceeded to run a column in our 2011 calender advising on the proper doses. We counselled that if  those doses are exceeded, there could be damaging effects on the kidney and/or liver of the child. We also posted handbills drawing attention to the correct doses in different parts of our shop. Lily pharmacy cares – when in doubt, please ask your pharmacist!

Lily 2012 calendar is all about proper drug use and how to avoid drug misuse (Be sure to get your copy of 2013 calendar!) We encourage all hands to be on deck to make sure that Nigerians get the best out of pharmacy as a profession.