AfRO Corner eMagazine - Issue 01

ipsf afro.

.org

The International Pharmaceutical Students Federation

African

Regional

Office

was

established in 2008 during the 54th IPSF General

Assembly

in

Romania.

Since

grown

tremendously

then,

Cluj-Napoca,

the

region

has

representing

pharmacy students and recent graduates in

22

African

Countries

through

member associations.

IPSFAfRO

/

its

23

Cover page:

Hezron Munyakin IPSF AfRO RMPO Subcommittee 2019-20

Back page:

Nyakeh Vandy Kamara IPSF AfRO RMPO Subcommittee 2019-20

Design and Layout: Elton V. F. Decker

IPSF AfRO Regional Media and Publications Officer 2019-20

draob lairotide

Editors:

Esther Kisanga Editor, AfRO Bloggers Group 2019-20

Laila Kasumba IPSF AfRO RMPO Subcommittee 2019-20

Supervised by: Purity Wambui

IPSF AfRO Chairperson 2019-20

This has been a journey of finding the not-well-spoken-of students

and

talents young

pharmacy pharmacy

professionals share, together with their passion for wellness.

Disruptively changing the conventional narratives

one

about

what

follow,

this

could

possibly

guidelines

generation

know

they

seems

must to

be

breaking the glass ceiling – brilliantly.

And that is why this inaugural ‘AfRO Corner

eMagazine’

showcases

the

diverse skills of writing – articles, short

A letter from the

stories

and

poems

photography,

painting

designing

Editor-in-Chief

from

some

–

drawing,

and of

graphic

the

most

brilliant students and recent graduates from across the continent.

All too well, AfRO is a whole vibe. And that vibe is the bond that we share from

our

most

diverse

backgrounds.

So, enjoy our rhythm in the purest form of arts and creativity.

Dear Pharmily,

This has been a journey of daring into

Yours in service,

the

untouched,

the

untold,

and

the

unsought. Just daring. Creatively bold.

Elton V. F. Decker, IPSF AfRO Regional Media and Publications Officer 2019-20

Summing up the courage to not only imagine,

but

also

never

letting

the

feeling of comfort make us cave.

Page 4

T

a

b

l

e

02

03

About IPSF African Regional

Editorial Board

Office

04

05

A letter from the Editor-in-

Table of Contents

Chief

09

11

My battle against asthma

Ijeoma

13

14

Dating in Medical School

Herbalists in the Jungle

17

18

Emptied

Dispirited Soul

Page 5

o

f

C

o

n

t

e

n

t

s

19

21

Chronicles from the future

The COVID-19 Outbreak and Nigeria's Transport Industry

24

25

If I Could Only Care

Is Marijuana Safe?

29

33

Inspired Heart

John Method's Collections

35

37

Muhluri Wisdom Makaringi's

Shattered

Collections

38

41

TARC

What You Should Know Before Using Drugs

Page 6

44

47

Themba Rihlampfu's

Pharmacy Education in

Collections

COVID-19

49

52

What Can Pharmacists Do to

Mama Africa

Curb Drug Abuse in Society?

54

55

Write Me A Poem

Stars;Â Where did it all go Wrong?

56

59

The Weddings

The Highlights: 9th IPSF African Regional Assembly

65

69

Member Organizations

RWG 2019-20 Testimonials

Page 7

Page 8

My Battle Against Asthma

By Chiamaka Ogueri - PANS, Nigeria

E:Â chiamakaogueri11@gmail.com

to be discriminated against. Hence, would always

How do I begin this tale about how

hide to use my inhaler.

asthma, a nightmare that came to me While in high school, I was an athlete and did well in

as a child and lasted into my

track, running the 100m, 200m and 4 Ă— 100m relay races.

adulthood, has now left me a better

annual

person?

I

represented inter-house

my

sports

sports

and

house did

during

well

in

the such

outings. Running at the risk of my health was not a concern, I wanted to show my abilities.

On some occasions, I have had asthma attacks on the tracks while running. These attacks were severe because they led to my being hospitalised. A few family

friends

got

to

know

and

recommended

alternative treatment – traditional medicine. At first, we had our doubts about it, but my parents wanted immediate

results.

The

frequent

hospitalizations,

nocturnal attacks, the pains I went through and the many struggles for my life had tortured my parents, and

they

desperately

needed

a

solution.

The

traditional approach held no viable results, so we switched began

to

back

to

progress

orthodox in

the

medication, management

where of

I

my

condition.

W

Then, I got admitted into the University of my dreams. ell, 14 years ago I was diagnosed with asthma.

My well-managed asthma caved in like a house of

It struck my lungs, narrowed my airways and

cards. Why? Student life, stress, moving to a new

brought with it wheezing, leaving me gasping for air

apartment, anxiety, among other factors were key

with pains in my chest, ribs and shoulders. You do

triggers. This was when I was first introduced to a

not want to imagine the pains.

nebuliser. My mother procured one for me because it became imperative for me to own one at the time.

As a young child approaching her teenage years, I

The nebuliser is quite expensive, different from an

did not understand what it meant to be asthmatic.

average inhaler and requires a prescription before

Initially, I was oblivious of what it was; but, my doctor and

parents

interventions

took I

me

had

to

through take

the

once

processes I

use.

and

experienced

The nebuliser provided quick relief because when the

respiratory discomfort. My inhaler was always with

medicine, which came in liquid form, was connected

me. I was in secondary school then and could not tell

to the machine, it was transformed into vapour and

my mates about my condition because I did not want

delivered directly to my lungs.

Page 9

If I had a mild attack or I sensed the symptoms of a coming attack early enough, then I could nebulise myself without any help. If not, I would need help setting

up

the

nebuliser.

With

the

nebuliser,

the

number of hospitalizations declined. Another inhaler was added to my prescription. At this point, I was using

an

Agonist

inhaled

(LABA)

Long-Acting

with

a

Beta

Corticosteroid

Adrenergic daily,

and

a

Short-Acting Beta Adrenergic Agonist (SABA) inhaler whenever I had an attack. I used my nebulizer when I was at home as it was electric.

I was made to understand that corticosteroids were to be my daily meal to keep my airways from getting

Since

inflamed.

the

have been left wondering if the end has come for

I

religiously

followed

up

with

the

outbreak

of

the

COVID-19

pandemic,

I

attacks

me. Asthmatics and diabetics are predisposed to the

reduced from weekly to once or twice monthly and

virus (Coronavirus). I fear death. At some point, I was

later

willing

to

status.

My

prescription

and

once

in

4-6

the

frequency

months.

The

of

the

improvement

was

tremendous.

go

run

the

trigger

COVID-19

this

time

test

was

to

know

emotional.

I

my was

anxious all the time. I blocked my ears to the news In November 2016, something terrible happened. I

on

the

number

of

cases

and

the

death

toll.

almost died that day. Hence, it is one day that I will

Asthmatics have a low chance of survival because

not forget in a hurry. I was in my room when the

when we fall ill, we do it with gusto.

attack came. It was severe. My Salbutamol inhaler (SABA) failed me and I ran out of my room asking my

The nightmare came again during the early weeks of

friend to blow me air. I was choking and could not

the pandemic. With accompanying pains, it came,

breathe.

and my best weapon to fight it is the nebuliser. One actuation

I

kept

gasping

for

air

as

I

felt

life

slowly

after

some

minutes

of

struggling,

daily

of

a

Long-Acting

Beta

months.

away. Yet, my friend would not stop blowing the air, and

twice

Adrenergic Agonist keeps the nightmare away for

ebbing

things

normalised. The battle was fierce and intense, one of

Asthmatics know their triggers and this is imperative.

the

Possible

triggers

perfume,

emotions

most

deadly

fifteen

minutes

I

have

ever

witnessed in my life. I won that battle.

stress

and

low

are

dust,

(excitement,

temperature.

doctors’

smoke,

foul

anxiety,

Flee

appointments

from

smells,

sadness), them.

and

This

The picture above was taken on the first day of the

reduces

year 2020. I had scheduled a shoot days before the

hospitalizations. Also, stay true to your inhalers or

multiple

end of the previous year and, lo and behold, my

nebulisers, whichever you can afford to buy.

nightmare came visiting again. I postponed my shoot until I was well. This scene wasn’t planned for until I

We can live a full, lively and fun life. Know what anti-

stepped into the studio and told the photographer

asthma medication and inhalers work best for you. I

we needed to change plans. I wanted to show my

am living my life better now because I know how to

strength, my struggle to live, my pain and my miracle.

overcome my nightmare. You can do it, too.

Page 10

Ijeoma By Colette Ahamefula - PANS, Nigeria

E:Â coletteahamefula@gmail.com

I can't speak words My throat feels tight and absurd I'm lost in a mirage of colour But blinded by your false squalor

Not so long ago I was lost in a whirlpool Drowning and slipping on rungs of a cesspool Believing the words the prophets spoke Unbelievable and unattainable you'd croak

I was provoked by such righteous anger Boiling like molten magma You weren't my first, second or third But you were what I thought I'd need You called and I'd heed Like a siren's call on a tumultuous sea

We'd lay on the sand And dream dreams that were bigger than we planned We spoke lust filled promises in the dark And drank from wine dunked damask

You were my truth Even though we were green youths Listening to the strains of the adagietto All I feel are wisps of your echo

Your tables ready Bottoms up, my fair lady I swear by the waters of the styx As we dance in the soiree apiece Night bells are calling Goodnight to the fallen

Page 11

DRAWINGS

By Ezedigwe Godfrey - PANS, Nigeria

E: ezedigwegodfrey@gmail.com

Page 12

Dating in Medical School

By Muganga Brian - UPSA, Uganda

E: brianmuganga6@gmail.com It was drizzling a little when I saw her come towards me. I saw her from a distance and it was as if there was some kind of electrostatic attraction and I was more electronegative than she. It was some kind of nucleophilic attack.

When she reached the spot where I was waiting, I started developing flu-like symptoms, increased gastric tone, and a sympathetic response with tachycardia and palpitations. My eyes instantly landed on her cute face which was shining like a cephalexin capsule that had just been polished by sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

She said, “Hey, Brian.” I greeted her back calmly. My heart was in an absolute

refractory

period

at

the

moment

and

I

was

only

concentrating on her upstairs. What made me go crazy was her smile which

was

analgesic,

almost

equipotent

to

morphine.

Honestly,

I

wanted to express my feelings for her as we walked slowly while talking and responding to each other.

The more we conversed, the more I developed the idea of taking her to a restaurant to get to know her better. Honestly, I wanted to act like her pacemaker. She is like a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant because she induces euphoria. The fact is I am a man who travels and walks

for

a

reason

and

everything

I

do

is

ambitious

but

I

was

persuaded to do so. She had all the names of all the restaurants in town in her encephalon while I only knew a few of them.

This made my heart skip a beat. However, we had to continue going because I was too fascinated by the way she spoke. Her words were powerful enough to reverse malignant tumours into normal cells. So, we reached the restaurant and it was time to make our order. She preferred a high protein diet (chips and chicken). I had to first peruse the menu so that the cost was proportional to the money in my pocket.

I opted for liver and chips.

For sure, I felt comfortable being with her because her presence was anxiolytic. So, we started jazzing and continued learning about each other. I said to her, “Baby, can I be Adenine so that I can be bonded to U (uracil)?” All I wanted was to induce her smile, which suddenly came.

At that moment, I could not imagine how strong the bond became, almost stronger than an ionic bond. We finished our meal and I cleared the bill after which we left the restaurant and continued conversing.

My words were like electrons attacking her in the process...

Page 13

The beauty of modern medicine is that we have a pill for almost everything now. Do you want to lose weight? Get a pill. Do you want to lighten your skin? Get a pill. Do you want to have a longer memory span? Get a pill. However, have you ever wondered how our evolutionary compatriots, the nonhuman animals, get by in the face of pathogenic microbes and disease states?

Herbalists in the Jungle

Back in the 1980s, a scientist by the name of Michael Huffman discovered something that gave light to the above-mentioned

inquiry.

He

observed

sick

By Learnmore Edwin Zvada - ZPSA, Zimbabwe

chimpanzees engage in unusual feeding habits at a research

facility

in

Tanzania,

and

set

out

on

a

mission to find out why. Huffman noticed that the sick after

chimpanzees consuming

showed a

plant

signs which

of

convalescence

was

outside

their

usual diet and had no known nutritional value.

Page 14

On inspecting their dung, it was observed that the

Some schools of thought support this assertion by

leaves came out unchewed, implying that the chimps

positing that animals teach their young which plants

were

or

deliberately

swallowing

them

whole

with

an

materials

to

use

and

when.

Along

with

that

intention other than routine nutritional requirements.

assertion is the concept of genetic variation which

Moreover,

favours animals that are healthier and ‘smarter’. So,

the

parasitic

chimpanzees’

load

after

dung

leaf

had

a

swallowing.

reduced He

later

those

animals

which

have

never

theorized that the chimpanzees recovered from a

themselves

their

parasitic disease by swallowing leaves of the plant,

along the chain of evolution.

learn

genes

how

recessed

to

treat

and

dying

Vernonia amygdalina (bitter pith) which acted as a scour to remove parasites from their stomachs. These

Animals

observations

features

and

conclusions

have

been

and

humans

which

share

can

common

allow

for

anatomical

extrapolation

of

corroborated by scientists from different fields and

medicinal knowledge in animals for use in human

the term ‘zoopharmacognosy’ was coined to explain

subjects.

this

animals such as chimpanzees have a 99% genetic

newly

discovered

science

of

animal

self-

medication.

Even

from

a

genetics

standpoint,

some

similarity with humans, making them our closest living relatives. Chimpanzees, rats and even baboons have

The

obvious

question

would

be,

how

did

animals

been

used

in

before they can be used in humans. In essence, the

metabolites from plants to remedy themselves, and

drug would be handled similarly in the human body

as humans, we do share some natural remedies for

and the animal body.

seek

out

and

drug

candidates

to

efficacy

new

secondary

known

their

of

illnesses

been

evaluate

trials

learn to medicate themselves? “Wildlife species with have

to

preclinical

toxicity

similar ailments and health conditions,” says Seema Bhattessa,

a

It is sufficing to note at this point that it is difficult to

Zoopharmacognosy Therapist. “Animals instinctively

observe these animal behaviours in a laboratory or in

know

controlled

how

nature’s

a

former

to

prime

pharmacy

to

pharmacist

and

now

their

immune

system

avoid

disease

or

using

lessen

the

severity should it occur.”

conditions

such

as

research

facilities,

which limits the validity of the evidence gathered thus far. Scientists are more or less limited to using circumstantial evidence to substantiate their claims.

Due to the aforementioned, some schools of thought dismiss this phenomenon as a product of folklore and pop culture envisaging. It is, therefore, the job of the scientists rather,

to

to

demystify provide

these

evidence

misconceptions, to

validate

or

their

respective hypotheses.

Zoopharmacognosy

is

not

limited

to

plants

only;

animals have been observed to ingest or topically apply soils, insects and other material to reduce the This behaviour of self-medication in animals seems to

be

a

learned

behaviour

from

members

of

the

same animal species, and research suggests that it is part of the natural selection process. It seems like animals have gone through their own evolutionary process, one

of

honed

and those

over

the

knowledge

evolutionary

the

years

and

of

traits

self-medication that

passed

have

down

is

been

through

harmful effects of toxins and parasites. And since we have established that animals have similar genetics and anatomical features to human beings, and are also

exposed

to

the

same

pathogens,

Page 15

can

be

theorized that the same natural medicines used by animals can also be used by humans. This is actually backed

with

research.

For

instance,

the

African

elephant ingests leaves of a tree belonging to the Boraginaceae species to induce labour.

generations.

it

Women in Kenya and Tanzania have been known to

with drug resistance and shortages.

use the same plant to induce labour. Chimpanzees in the Ugandan forest of Bundongo eat the bark and

Moreover, with new and emerging zoonotic diseases

wood from the Splinter bean tree which is known to

wreaking havoc across the globe today, COVID-19

be

being one to quickly come to anyone’s mind, perhaps

a

source

sodium.

Yet

of the

a

key

same

physiological plant

is

electrolyte,

used

to

induce

our ‘friends’, the non-human animals, already have a

emesis(vomiting) and treat diarrhoea in some parts

solution.

of Ghana. Some do claim that our ancestors learned

through the jungle and show us the medicine, as it

about most medicinal herbs from observing animals

were. The scientific community and other interested

self-medicate.

parties have an important job here. At a time when the

They

world

is

are,

however,

shying

away

not

from

going

the

to

take

adverse

us

drug

However, a review of literature has indicated that

effects of synthetic medicine in favour of traditional

this

medicine,

phenomenon

Southern

Africa.

hasn’t There

is

been

studied

obviously

a

much

need

for

in a

perhaps

zoopharmacognosy

could

be

a

quicker way of expediting the discovery of new drug

homegrown solution to diseases that are endemic to

candidates

the region, and also modalities to solve issues with

affecting people.

Page 15

to

do

away

with

various

illnesses

POSTERS

By Annagrace Malamsha

E: annagrace1704@gmail.com

Page 16

Learnmore Edwin

Emptied

You come to me one winter morning

So, we take the readings to the butcher

Floating on the high seas like an empty vessel

Who has seen much weighing in his day

To fill me up with your emptiness

He certifies you empty as an ocean wind

Till we start sharing empty talk like little kids

And I am full of it like a sack of rotten tomatoes

Who seek not much sense in vernacular barvadage

We finally agree on a thing

We sit a head apart, our feet buried in the sand

We can’t afford to live apart any longer

A soulful melody issues from your pink radio Punctuated by sea-waves shuttling to and fro on the

We eventually wed in the broken cold room

open sea

And the butcher calls the carpenter

Our eyes lock onto this scenery

Who makes us wooden rings

As our hearts pair off to some notional realm

A passing marching band plays La Bamba

Where mortals converse only in gesticulations

We dance awhile to the foxtrot We empty ourselves to each other in song

For something to do

And it turns out we fit, like latex gloves

We start fighting over a nonsensical this and that Our collegial tussle spills down into our bellies

But summer comes and you start slipping away from

And how we ought to fill them

me

Eventually, we settle on a bream

I begin to wither, like a starved chicken

And like always, you take on the head as I nibble at

I want to tell you; I still need you to fill me up for all-

the fins

time

Appetites satiated; we belch out the contents of our

But you insist on leaving so I wave you goodbye

souls Onto the miniscule space between us

As the high seas swallow you up

We bag the effluence and load it on a scale

I become empty again, too empty to carry on

But we dissent over the outcome

So, I slip away in a night Never to be found, never to be buried

Page 17

Zvada

Dispirited Soul

You come down on me

Such a shame

With an incessant inrush of fists that disables my jaw

Equally shameful as you playing the sweet lover

The lips you used to kiss, darling, you have bruised

So, you brought me a birdie and a crocodile tear

The body you used to caress is defaced and mottled

You must be genuinely sorry, right?

Now you cannot even look at me without grimacing

Pardon my French, dear husband

Like you have tasted rotten buff in a coffee cup

Perhaps I have let my mouth run a little wild

I cannot afford the luxury of weeping

Though you smell like a pigsty

Not with our little Angel sitting on my lap

I will wrap myself around you with a smile and a kiss

I cannot let her see my pain

Under the relentless watch of your bloodshot eyes

I am her strength when she is weak

I will strip my soul and body

I am her ululation when she has aced her grades

So that you may feast and be done with your sexual

I am a mother, the strongest she knows

profanity

Uh-uh, I will not succumb to tears

My emotions will run wild but I will eventually put them down to sleep

If only you knew, darling

Hoping that my heart has withstood your piercing

How your fist dismantles my pride as a woman

vocabulary for one more day

How useless I feel when you call me names

Hoping that you brought me love instead of a

‘Retard, whore, uncultivated village girl!’

horsewhip

I take it all, silently, like a sheep before the shearers

Lest they bury me six feet under

Love…what a paradoxical phenomenon On which I hang my wedding vows Till I am long in the tooth

Page 18

Chronicles from the Future By Olabisi Victor Oluwaseun - PANS, Nigeria

E:Â oluwaseun36425710@gmail.com It is the year 2027. I am a final year student. My name is Victor. The sun is just rising, early on a Monday morning. Here I am, still in bed, so tired after all the events of the past few weeks. Despite this, I must get up, lest I miss the chance to see my project supervisor, who has been busy for quite some time. Two hours later, I'm almost done getting dressed. Suddenly, my mobile phone begins to vibrate: it is Emma, my friend.

The tone in his voice suggests that all is not well. His words, "Come quickly to the Senate Building!" ring deep in my ears.

Like a zombie, I dashed out. In no time, I was standing right in front of the gigantic building. Taking a closer look, I noticed that a press briefing was underway inside. Besides, many students were unusually present. So many questions were begging for answers in my brain: What was going on? Did anyone die? Emma ran over to me, his face gloomy. He did not even greet me before spilling the beans, "The University's Student Council has been dissolved indefinitely!" His words hit me so hard, it felt like being hit by a ton of bricks.

Momentarily, I slipped into a state of oblivion. How did we get here? Let me take you down memory lane.

Page 19

I was just a fresher, eighteen years old, quite full of

Power

was

abused

by

those

in

office,

tyranny

enthusiasm. It was time for the General Elections.

became a norm and so the Council was rendered

Oh, how excited I was to vote! I mean, who wouldn't

useless.

be? It felt good. I was finally feeling integrated into the political process. Well, it didn't take long for my

Sadly, this turned out to be a cycle. A vicious cycle

excitement to fade away. The day of voting came

of disunity and hatred. As time passed by, the power

and

had

struggle worsened, which meant that students were

quickly metamorphosed into a state of chaos. Some

prepared to do anything to get hold of it. So, on

unknown men came in to loot away the ballot box.

April 13, 2027, one of the aspirants scheduled to

My

contest

after

about

co-freshers

an

and

hour,

I

the

were

proceedings

perplexed.

This

was

in

the

upcoming

elections

was

killed

by

indeed a common thing in Nigerian politics, but we

unidentified men. News filtered in and thus, the Vice-

expected

Of

Chancellor

held

course, our naivety made us think that way. A senior

unanimous

decision

colleague

university

whom

politics

to

I

met,

later

he

said,

"Don't

be

was

emergency

meeting.

reached.

would

He

A

later

my

come out to announce the indefinite suspension of the Council. "Enough is enough!" I heard him say. He

Of

had done all he could to salvage the situation and

course, I did get used to it. After that incident, it did

now that a life had been claimed in the process, it

not seem like an issue to me anymore.

was time to dissolve the Students' Council.

when

these

normal

are

Looking

back

here,

over

the

you'll

years,

worry,

get

I

dismissed

an

like

perplexity

on,

different.

used

would

things to

it.�

admit

that

Tears trickled

from my eyes. It dawned on me, we

student politics in my university had been too heated.

had failed ourselves. We had failed our country. We

The

a

had allowed ourselves to be swayed by the thirst for

raging inferno, it destroyed everything in its path.

power

struggle

power, forgetting that the rightful impacting of lives

Many

was where the real power lies.

great

consumed.

was

a

relationships Like

a

fierce

and

culture,

one.

Just

friendships generation

like

were after

generation, seeds of discord and strife were sown

"Why

amongst students and the aftermath was a people

words

filled with bitterness against one another. I saw many

regained

vibrant

in

crowd had reduced and I had stood rooted to the

battles whose origin they never even knew. Some

spot for over thirty minutes. As we left the Senate

were completely lost in it. Compulsory enemies were

building, I sighed heavily and, talking to no one in

being

particular, I said, "It's high time for a revolution of the

young

men

made.

The

and

women

atmosphere

get

consumed

ended

up

being

extremely toxic.

are

you

jolted

crying? me

Let's

leave

to

reality.

back

consciousness

of

my

mind among the Nigerian youth."

Page 20

here..."

By

the

Emma's time

environment,

I

the

The COVID-19 Outbreak and Nigeria's Transport Industry

By Obinweke Uchechukwu - PANS, Nigeria

E: maryjudeuche@gmail.com

Coronavirus

disease

2019

(COVID-19)

is

a

21st-

This

is

because

schools,

offices,

churches

and

century infectious disease caused by the Coronavirus

marketplaces are not in operation and as such, there

which originated from Wuhan, China in 2019. From

is no need for the average Nigerian to visit these

there, it has spread to all the countries of the world

places.

and, as such, has been regarded as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The

low

demand

in

the

population's

need

for

transport has led to a decreased need for the fuel In

Nigeria,

closure

the

and

virus

lockdown

has

the

used

to

power

transport

vehicles.

With

a

heavy

interest in the public mode of road transport, many commercial transport companies have been closed

for

essential

down because of the interstate lockdown, and the

services. Essential services here strictly apply to food

unwillingness of passengers to go contrary to the

and food ingredients, pharmaceutical products and

laid

petroleum resources. The transport industry, though

drivers of these commercial vehicles are temporarily

on lockdown, is a key requirement for the distribution

rendered unemployed.

in

the

all

in

government

involved

of

resulted

parastatals, including the transport industry, except organs

total

outbreak

provision

of

down

rules

guiding

this

period.

As

such,

the

of these essential services. Therefore, the outbreak of the Coronavirus has led to a partial lockdown of

At the onset of the virus outbreak, measures were

the

these

put in place to protect against the spread of the

transport

Coronavirus: commercial buses were mandated to

transport

essential

industry

services

are

in still

the

country,

distributed

as

by

means.

carry

only

a

limited

number

of

passengers

to

maintain the required level of social distancing and The transport industry is headed by the Ministry of

contain the spread of the virus. This, however, led to

Transport

an increase in the cost of transporting oneself from

and

encompasses

road

and

pipeline

transport, railway transport, water transport, and air

one

transport (supervised by the Ministry of Aviation). Due

transport companies. The effect is also seen in the

to

the

COVID-19

by

commercial

interstate

state. They are required to carry a limited number of

both international and national flight movement. The

passengers. As such, there is a hike in the price of

aviation sector provides about 0.4% of the nation’s

transport

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the contribution

energy (fuel) demand/consumption which led to a

is

fall in the price of the fuel, it didn’t in any way affect

risen

by

0.14%

have

other

public buses and tricycles which function within a

have

airports

the

been

to

all

to

closed and this has brought about a cessation of

reported

outbreak,

state

in

2019

as

via

this

route.

Considering

the

reduced

disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics. With

the cost of transportation as tricycle and bus drivers

its closure, the national source of income through

still

this route is hindered.

persons

increased who

the

cost

must

of

their

commute

services.

take

to

Hence, trekking,

because they are not willing to pay exorbitant prices The hardest-hit sector in the transport industry is that

for their transport. There is also a reduction in the

of road transport, which is the most commonly used

number of vehicles seen on the roads because the

mode of transportation in Nigeria. A high percentage

bus and tricycle operators were not willing to toil the

of Nigerians commute to and from schools, offices,

entire

churches, markets, and more via this route. With the

passengers.

lockdown, all these movements have been brought to

depend

a halt.

rendered temporarily unemployed.

Page 21

day,

on

burning

up

Therefore, this

for

this

their

fuel

with

group daily

of

few

or

persons

bread,

are

no who also

Page 22

In summation, the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak

A good number of Nigerians are employed by the

on

transport

the

transport

industry:

the

low

demand

in

industry

and

are

seemingly

unemployed

passenger transport, reduced fuel/energy demand,

during this period of lockdown. This has led to a

and unemployment, have all led to a drop in the

massive increase in the crime rate in the country as

nation’s GDP, as a percentage of revenue generated

the ability to provide for oneself and one’s family has

is paid to the government. In some states of the

been taken away from a good number of persons

federation, the tax payable by the transport workers

who were employed by the transport industry. Some

has been waived and, as such, there is no income

have resorted to crime to help themselves. People

generated via this route, either. The nation is at a

are living in fear of what might happen if they leave

loss as a result of this.

the house in search of food and those who do not leave the house are also in fear of being attacked in

Consequently, the transport industry is faced with a

their

lot of challenges, chiefly that of the provision of fuel

involved in crime. Businesses are closed and people

needed

in

fear that their business premises might be looted of

the

all they contain by this group of persons who have

to

power

transportation.

the

Essential

vehicles

goods

are

involved always

on

move, and the persons responsible for the provision

houses

by

these

persons

who

chose

to

get

been rendered jobless.

of these essential goods are also in dire need of transportation.

Therefore,

notwithstanding

the

Notwithstanding all that has befallen the country and

effects of COVID-19 on the transport industry, the

the transport industry due to the COVID-19 outbreak,

fuel must be provided.

Nigerians have become more aware of the need for social distancing and so there is a high probability

With

the

lockdown

taking

place

in

almost

all

that

when

all

this

ends,

people

will

still

avoid

countries of the world and international businesses

crowded places and the use of public transport. It is

on hold, we are at a loss. Unluckily, Nigeria depends

therefore imperative that the roads be decongested.

on other countries to buy, as well as to refine, its

This

crude oil. As such, she is greatly affected as she

routes for the masses to get to their places of work,

depends on already refined fuel within the country.

business and school. Very little is known about the

Nigeria is unable to provide the fuel she needs by

railway as a means of transportation unlike in some

herself, and, with the reduction in the demand for

developed countries. This can be employed and be

the crude oil, Nigeria will, sooner rather than later,

put to maximum use by the people, not just for the

be

transportation

operating

at

a

loss.

Due

to

the

decreased

demand for the crude oil, which could lead to a stall

can

be

made

of

possible

by

cargo/goods,

creating

but

alternate

also

for

the

transportation of people.

in mining operations, coupled with the lockdown, the country is in grave danger of being unable to provide

In

the

event

of

another

global

lockdown,

Nigeria

the necessary fuel needed to keep industries, and in

should make efforts to diversify its economy, as this

particular the transport industry, running.

lockdown has greatly affected our major source of revenue, crude oil. Nigeria should, therefore, build

The air, water and road transport operations bring in

adequate and functional refineries so that we can

billions of Naira as revenue for the country. With the

refine our oil and produce enough fuel, which is a

shutdown of operations, the country is losing in two

great

ways:

transport industry. This reduces the cost of importing

losing

out

on

international

trade

and

the

requirement

for

the

functioning

of

the

revenue it generates via international businesses as

refined oil to the nation and as well as boosts our

well as on national/ local trade revenue generation.

economic growth. The cost of purchasing this fuel by

There is a great threat of half or no payment of the

the

airport staff in the coming months as one of the

general public for use in transportation would also

international airports has been under renovation for

be

months preceding the onset of the lockdown. This

access to all of these commodities at a low cost. This

has led to a suppression of the activities going on in

would also lead to the employment of millions of

the airport because it is unable to accommodate

Nigerians and thus a reduction in the national crime

flights.

rate.

With

recession

is

this

stall

inevitable

in

economic

and

a

major

activities, fall

in

a

the

country’s GDP is unavoidable.

Page 23

commercial

reduced

and

transport

the

companies

average

man

and

would

the

have

If I Could Only Care

By Andrew Albert - TAPSA, Tanzania

E: andrewalbert302@gmail.com We are here, people crying, Another grave, they are digging, People and relatives are cursing, Cause I was there when you were dying.

I’m also very sad, "It’s hypocrisy," someone said Cause I could prevent that overdose, Only if my care was not worse.

To prevent this was possible, Cause medicine to you was affordable, Due to resistance no longer attachable, To return you is no longer possible.

To inform you was my responsibility, Proper use of drugs to insist, But I left you, to predict, So I put your health on probability.

I could tell you the importance of adherence, I left you until the drugs got resistance, To say I’m sorry now does not have importance, Cause I already caused wastage.

I feared a doctor, who prescribed badly, I could tell him to alter, soon and immediately, I could tell him faster, But I was thinking slowly, I waited until after, now you passed away.

When you want to tell, Therapeutics is going to fail, Drugs no longer heal, Sorry, yellow forms I no longer fill.

People are getting sicker, Some loose in finance, Some being disabled, And others rest in peace.

All these because of my mistake, You can blame me I insist, Cause I have failed to assist, Blame on me, an irresponsible pharmacist.

Page 24

Is Marijuana Safe?

By Joy Francis - PANS, Nigeria

E: joyfran03@gmail.com

Weed, Pot and Mary Jane are a few of the many street names by which Marijuana is commonly known. Marijuana is obtained from the shredded and dried flowers, leaves, seeds and stems of the plant

Cannabis

sativa.

Marijuana

is

a

greenish-grey

mixture

consumed

in

various

ways.

It

is

sometimes hand-rolled into cigarettes known as joints or blunts, then smoked. Other times, it is formulated as brewed teas or edibles in the form of foods and pastries, or as vaporizers for people who prefer not to inhale the smoke.

The

active

chemical

ingredient

in

marijuana

is

delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC),

which

is

responsible for its mind-altering ability. THC is highly concentrated in the dried flowers and buds of the Cannabis plant. When marijuana smoke is inhaled, the THC rapidly moves from the lungs to the brain and other organs, transported by the bloodstream. The THC acts on specific receptors in the brain called cannabinol receptors, which commence a chain of cellular reactions resulting in feelings of euphoria referred to as the ‘high’ experienced by users. Other emotions felt are relaxation, anxiety, paranoia and heightened sensory perception.

Marijuana is used medicinally and recreationally. There are prescription medicines which contain synthetic cannabinol (THC). Dronabinol is a pharmaceutical form of THC while Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid; both are approved by the United States Food and Drug Agency (FDA) to treat certain conditions. They are approved to treat patients receiving anti-cancer medicine who experience severe nausea and vomiting, particularly patients who do not respond to other treatments. Other uses treatment of the weight loss associated with anorexia in patients with AIDS, glaucoma and severe pain (particularly in form of hash oil). Marijuana is used recreationally and in religious and spiritual activities because of its mind-altering and euphoric properties.

There is a debate over how safe marijuana is, with some claiming that it is safer than alcohol while others maintaining the position that marijuana causes more harm. Although marijuana is an illicit drug in many places, it is getting legalized across several states in the United States of America (USA) for both recreational and medicinal use. Data obtained from studies carried out showed that despite its illegal status, marijuana is commonly used among members of the 18-25 years age group, many of whom do not view regular marijuana use as harmful.

Page 25

The effect of regular use of marijuana can be felt in every aspect of human life. Marijuana smoke, when inhaled, affects the function of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination. Hence, distortion of its function can lead to

slower

reaction

time,

impaired

judgement

and

problems

responding to sounds and signs. Marijuana use before and during driving and operating large machinery is, therefore, very dangerous.

Second-hand smoking of marijuana poses a health risk, especially to infants

and

children.

Additionally,

the

accidental

poisoning

of

children and infants by edibles such as brownies, chocolate and cookies

can

development

occur. in

The

children,

exposure and

leads

frequent

to

abnormal

exposure

over

brain

extended

periods during childhood can have negative effects on their learning, memory, attention and problem-solving abilities.

Furthermore, the regular use of marijuana causes the development of the problem known as Marijuana Use Disorder, which, in severe cases, takes the form of addiction. Marijuana Use Disorder is often associated with dependence, which occurs when the brain adapts to a large amount of the drug thus reducing the production of and sensitivity to its endocannabinoid neurotransmitter. Marijuana Use Disorder becomes an addiction when the person cannot stop using the drug, even though it interferes with the main aspects of his/her life, and the negative effects it has on their health and social life are evident. Withdrawal symptoms following an attempt to quit are also evidence of addiction.

The symptoms include irritability, mood and sleep disorders, decreased appetite, cravings, restlessness and/or other various forms of physical discomfort. Marijuana addiction treatment is said to be difficult due to the early and lengthy duration of the withdrawal symptoms.

Moreover, marijuana is said to have a gateway effect, in that its use is likely to pave the way for the use of other mind-altering substances. A study conducted showed that adults who used marijuana were more likely than adults who did not to develop an alcohol use disorder within three (3) years, and those who already used marijuana and had alcohol use disorder were at greater risk of their alcohol use disorder worsening. Another substance use disorder linked to marijuana is nicotine addiction. However, some people do not cross over to use other substances. Many other factors come to play besides the person’s biological mechanism, of which the most important is the person’s social environment because their subsequent social interactions with others who use drugs increase their chances of trying other drugs.

Regular marijuana use also has effects on the social, academic and professional life of the user. Negative effects on attention,

memory

and

learning,

which

last

days

to

weeks

depending

on

the

person’s

drug

use

history,

are

experienced with regular marijuana use. Therefore, someone who smokes marijuana daily may be functioning at a reduced intellectual level most of the time. Research and surveys carried out suggest that students who smoke marijuana

have

poorer

educational

outcomes

than

their

non-smoking

peers.

Regular

marijuana

use

among

adolescents has shown a higher chance of developing dependence, using other drugs and attempting suicide.

Further studies have linked heavy marijuana use to a lower-income, greater welfare dependence, unemployment, criminal behaviour and decreased life satisfaction.

There are very many health risks linked to the use of marijuana. Short-term effects include: increased heart rate, low blood

pressure

(orthostatic

hypotension),

muscle

relaxation,

slowed

digestion,

dizziness,

dry

mouth

and

eyes,

increased appetite, agitation, anxiety, confusion, panic, paranoia, difficulty in thinking, memory and problem solving, and distorted perception (sights, sounds, time and touch).

Page 26

There are long term effects on different organs in the body:Â The Brain: Brain imaging scans of heavy marijuana smokers have revealed changes in blood flow to parts of the brain involved in memory and attention. Also, a difference in the size and shape of the thalamus (the part of the brain involved in consciousness and information processing) was noticed. A data survey showed that a lifetime of exposure to marijuana was associated with lower scores on a test of verbal memory. Some studies have also linked marijuana use to a decline in Intelligence Quotient ( IQ) scores. However, disagreement arises as other factors contribute to a decline in IQ such as genetics, environment, the age of first use as well as the frequency of use. Regular use of marijuana is said to increase the risks of developing psychosis, delusions and hallucinations, particularly when there is genetic vulnerability.

The Heart: Mittleman, et al, in a study carried out, suggested that the risk of a heart attack may increase by up to 4.8 fold in the first hour following marijuana use. Hence, patients with a history of heart diseases such as high blood pressure, arrhythmias or other cardiac diseases have a higher risk of experiencing heart attacks. The risk of stroke is also increased.

The Lungs: Marijuana smoke has been found to contain as many of the same cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco cigarette smoke such as nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, vinyl chlorides and phenols. It is also said that marijuana smoke contains 50 – 70 % more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.

Marijuana smoke is an irritant to the lung. People who inhale it frequently often present with similar respiratory problems as tobacco smokers, ranging from the daily cough and phlegm to the potential risks of developing symptoms of chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. A study published in 2013 in Cancer Causes & Control showed that heavy MJ smoking might raise the risk of lung cancer, as marijuana smoke is inhaled deeper and held for longer leading to four times the deposition of tar compared to cigarette smoking.

There are situations where some persons opt to consume marijuana in food by baking it in brownies and other foods to spare themselves the lung effects. This, however, does not make it safe. It takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the effects of ingested marijuana to be seen because the drug has to pass through the digestive system, and significantly less THC is delivered into the bloodstream as compared to when inhaled. Due to this, people may accidentally consume more THC than they intend to.

Following the recent legalization of marijuana for personal medical use in some places, marijuana use has spiked.

Although marijuana has valid medical uses, further research needs to be carried out for more concrete evidence, because the regular use of marijuana comes with a gateway effect which could lead to addiction and could further lead to more dangerous forms of drug abuse as well as health and social risks.

Page 27

By Macdonald Ikaraoha

E: ikaraohamacdonald@gmail.com

Page 28

By Okonmah Esther C - PANS, Nigeria

E:Â estherokonmah2@gmail

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth. So, I brought my curiosity, eagerness and rumbling stomach along on this trip...

Page 29

I

woke

up

that

morning

with

a

rush

of

excitement.

It

was

Monday, October 21st, 2019. On super exciting mornings like this, it was difficult settling food in my stomach. The University of Benin Chapter of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), Edo State, Nigeria, had organized a plethora of events to mark her annual health week, and today was for the

incredible

health

outreach

to

the

Uhuogua

Internally

Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Edo State, Nigeria.

Being

in

my

second

year

with

minimum

health

outreach

experience, I was intrigued by the opportunity to partake in it as a volunteer. I had to attend a series of training sessions initially organized

by

my

senior

colleagues

in

pharmacy,

mostly

in

conjunction with the Anti Drug Misuse and Abuse Programme (ADMAP)

and

Federation taught

the

(IPSF)

us

how

International

Pharmaceutical

representatives.

to

carry

out

The

simple

training

rapid

Students

sessions

tests

such

had

as

for

malaria parasites and the Widal test for typhoid as well as checking vitals such as the blood pressure, pulse reading and Body-

Mass

Index

for

accurate

dispensing

of

drugs

and

pharmaceutical care in our student capacity.

We also revised important health topics and vital sign values together.

Topics

importance

of

communicable

such

health and

as

those

checks

non-

on

and

personal

the

communicable

hygiene,

awareness diseases

of

alike

the

some were

covered. I had never been to an IDP camp and I was elated at the thought of volunteering, which I had always looked forward to. What's more? Even as a student, I was learning to advocate for

achieving

the

World

Health

Organization's

Sustainable

Development Goal 3: Good health and Well being. As a young student pharmacist, this opportunity was huge! I would not miss it for anything. Even if it meant my stomach making rumbling sounds like this when I'm very hungry. I had brought my curiosity, eagerness and rumbling stomach along on this trip. Just like Muhammad Ali said, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth." So, at about 10 am, these passionate pharmacy student volunteers (ahem, my young self included) set off to pay some rent in an IDP camp that played host to over two thousand persons.

Page 30

It was a pleasantly unforgettable journey. We arrived at the camp in about six white buses. When we alighted in our dazzling white overalls, I could sense the air of pride in the profession around me.

I quickly waved the sense aside. "Focus, Esther!" I said in my head.

It

was

really

immediately.

sunny

The

and

camp

the

was

a

warm very

air

greeted

spacious

us

almost

compound

with

several structures, trees that were evenly spaced and a large football field sitting in the middle. A row of kiosks was visible some metres towards the left of the field and the grasses were unevenly patterned. I walked a few metres away from where we parked, trying to absorb as much of the thrilling view as I could. There were people! Lots of people ranging from the adult males sitting in

small

groups

around

the

community

mosque

opposite

the

parking lot, I even smiled and waved a little at their direction, to some

children

playing

around

the

field

while

the

open

kiosk

owners chatted happily as they went about their business.

We walked towards the shade provided by some trees to set up our outreach canopies and began arranging seats. We set up small dispensing and counselling sections, a rapid test and vitals check section amongst others. I watched as our senior colleagues were warmly welcomed by representatives of the camp and they assured us that the community had been well informed of our arrival. I could see shabby small buildings some distance away from where we stood with signboards in front of them. I could even see the seeming 'residential' areas with clothes-lines and big cooking pots from where I stood. I suddenly had a rush of mixed feelings in my gut. Was it pity? Devastation? Anger? Hunger?

We were quickly divided into groups to function in each of the units we had earlier set up. I volunteered to teach the junior school students in the camp some of the topics we had previously revised. As my volunteer unit walked towards the school buildings, I noticed I was not the only one so excited. A lot of my friends were already taking photographs of the environment and formed little groups while they chatted away happily. We shared ourselves into teams of six persons for each of the classes while selecting the topics we were going to anchor.

Page 31

My

teammates

classes

and

and

we

I

entered

one

of

were

greeted

with

a

the

Junior

thunderous

chorus chant of "Good morning, Seniors!" from over

"I'm Fatima and I want to be a pharmacist when I grow up!" said the last of them. I laughed heartily as I gave each of them a high-five.

a hundred pairs of eager eyes in one class. We each replied

warmly

and

implored

them

to

sit.

I

was

nervous at first but the feeling quickly changed to amazement.

I

was

amazed

at

how

eager

and

attentive these kids were while we taught on the importance of personal hygiene to young teenagers.

I walked between the aisles formed by the column of seats while I watched a few of them scribble things down, even those who sat so comfortably on the ground as there were no more seats. That knotting feeling in my gut was back. "How can these kids learn anything while having to sit on the floor?" I thought. I met the gaze of one of the kids and she smiled shyly. I smiled back.

After

our

brief

session,

it

was

time

to

entertain

questions and so many eager hands were already up. We sadly had to attend to only a couple of them to

enable

the

young

kids

to

prepare

for

"Well, can I please take a picture of all of you together?" I asked, still smiling.

a

"Yes!" They all agreed amidst the giggling. I laughed

prescheduled test. "What do I have to study if I want

again

to

calmly

friends. My stomach rumbled, again! This time I knew

whispered. I looked down and I was greeted by a

this was not hunger. We had set off just to pay some

pair of inquisitive eyes. I was still by the corridor of

rent. However, volunteering for me now took on a

the classroom away from my colleagues after our

whole new meaning -- positively inspiring hearts and

session

I

impacting lives while at it. I now look forward to

stooped while I tried to explain to her in a way she

opportunities like these every chance I get. It made

would

me

be

more

a

nurse

with

when

the

her

grow

children.

understand. of

I

Soon,

a

smiled

we

were

genuinely

as

surrounded know

commit,

even

couple

as

a

of

pictures

student

of

my

new

pharmacist,

to

my capacity. The experience left me with a souvenir

"How

of warm memories and a commitment! Oh no. Not

causes

to

a

thing or the other. "What's the cause of eczema?: what

trying

by

took

improving the quality of life of people around me in

cancer,

each

voice

I

one

about

classmates

I

up?"

as

cancer?"

I

was

impressed. I grinned widely and wondered at how smart

these

kids

were.

As

if

she

could

sense

the rumbling sound again!

my

thoughts, the little missy who approached me first smiled

back

at

me,

again.

After

digesting

their

questions and providing satisfactory answers to the

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth. So, I brought my curiosity, eagerness and rumbling stomach along on this trip...

young children, I now wanted to know their names.

Page 32

By John Method - TAPSA, Tanzania

E: methodjk211@gmail.com

POSTERS

Page 33

Page 34

SGNIWARD

By Muhluri Wisdom Makaringi - SAPSF, South Africa

E: muhlurimakaringi@gmail.com

Page 35

By Muhluri Wisdom Makaringi - SAPSF, South Africa

E: muhlurimakaringi@gmail.com

Page 36

Sigh! What was wrong with who I was? I looked into the mirror of everyone's criticism and saw the reflection of my mediocrity and inadequacy. Was I just bare with no trace of refinement?

I never sought for change but society wanted to make me elegant and accepted so I had to conceal the identity of my true self with this make-up of hypocrisy.

Pardon me. It's not my outward appearance I changed. But rather my inward originality that harboured safely in who I am(was). It felt serene until the invasion. As being myself only triggered attacks of dislike towards me.

Now it only matters whom I impress and please, as far as I imprison authenticity and keep it from release. This is who I have had to become. I had to fit in and so my originality had to succumb.

Being

an

outcast

felt

lonely.

And

wanting

to

fit

into

society's

definition of normal, I've had to inject my characteristics and mutate them with these genes of false identity. Indeed I have changed!

I never wished to change but wishes don't come true, do they? So I tried it, tried to be my own fairy god person.

Trying to fly from everyone's rejection of my acceptance, but my flight never made it. Because I got missing in the Bermuda Triangle of society's ridicule and till date, my originality remains a lost part of

With who I am now I can only ask myself this, is this who I am, is this me? Is this who I am, is this how I should be?

Carefully, critically, I again stand in front of a mirror. I observe my newly acquired features through this mirror of self-actualization and see an unrecognizable image that has no trace back to my true self

DERETTAHS

my being.

By Joel Abakah

E: joelabakah1@gmail.com

lineage.

And like the mirror in snow white, this mirror cannot lie. And as I tried to force this reflection of 'perfection' from its uncompromising view, it shattered. Unable to bear the sight of my cloaked authenticity.

Maybe if I knew that rejection could be acceptance, that dislike was just a misunderstood like that fitting in sometimes did make loose.

Then maybe I could have avoided my long threaded tragedy.

Why couldn't I be me?

Why shouldn't I be myself?

My good and unique self.

I just wasn't... now I'm shattered. Sigh!

Page 37

By Novatus Ching'oro - TAPSA, Tanzania

E: novatuschingoro@gmail.com

Page 38

Page 39

Page 40

What you should know before using drugs

’

The drug s effects on fetus during pregnancy

By Samuel Habineza - RPSA, Rwanda

E: hbnzsml@gmail.com

Pregnancy is the period from conception to birth and

Some

is

pregnancy,

divided

into

three

trimesters.

Almost

every

medicines

may

cause

premature

birth

birth,

defects,

infant

death,

or

developmental

medication before and during pregnancy. Drugs that

contribute

are taken by the mother cross the functional unit

including,

between the foetal and the maternal blood, named

Antidepressants,

the placenta, and reach the developing fetus.

Derivatives,

Antihypertensives,

Anticoagulants

and

Non-steroid

Anti-Inflammatory

Drugs

and

Not all medicines are safe to take during pregnancy.

such

but

effects not

in

a

limited

drug

of

pregnant woman will face the decision about taking

to

disabilities. Numerous

loss

developing

foetus

to

Antibiotics,

Anticonvulsants,

Vitamin

(NSAIDs)

should, therefore, be taken with caution.

Page 41

groups

According to the United States Food and Drug Agency (FDA), drugs used in pregnancy are classified into five (5) categories based on their degree of causing risks.

The categories are A, B, C, D and X.

Drug category A: These taken

by

a

large

medications have been

number

of

pregnant

women

without any proven increase of birth defects,

Drug category B: taken

by

a

The medications have been

limited

number

of

pregnant

women, not enough to qualify the drugs as safe.

Drug category C: but

the

Their effects may cause risk,

potential

benefit

may

outweigh

the

potential risk.

Drug category D: These drugs are likely to cause birth defects, however, the health benefit may outweigh the risk.

Drug category X:

They

have

a

high

risk

of

causing birth defects and are contraindicated during pregnancy

The potential factors for placental drugs transfer The potential for harm to the pregnancy and foetus depends on the type of medication taken, how it is taken, the size of the dose, how often it is taken, other drugs that are taken concurrently and physical characteristics of the placenta.

List of medications to take with caution Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Most

of

these

drugs

like

ibuprofen,

aspirin

and

diclofenac are pregnancy category C in the first two trimesters

of

pregnancy.

These

agents

are

recommended with utmost caution during the last trimester problems

of

pregnancy

in

the

due

mother

to

or

its

likely

foetus,

as

bleeding well

as

complicating or prolonging delivery.

Antidepressants drugs Generally,

antidepressants

should

be

used

with

caution due to their tendency to cause birth defects.

For example, Paroxetine can cause foetal cardiac malformations

and

is

classified

by

the

FDA

as

pregnancy category D, therefore should be avoided during pregnancy, unless the benefit outweighs the risk.

Page 42

Drug use during pregnancy or in women planning to get pregnant is widespread and can negatively affect the foetus as well as the mother in numerous ways, including interfering with normal fetal development, damaging the foetus’ organs, damaging the placenta and putting the foetus’ life at risk, increasing the risk of miscarriages.

Seek advice from a healthcare professional before using these products to determine whether the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Antiepileptic drugs (Anticonvulsants)

Anticoagulants

Pregnant women with epilepsy should consult health

Warfarin

professionals

antagonizing the action of vitamin K. If taken during

Different

concerning

antiepileptic

Benzodiazepines,

taking drugs

Valproate

their like

and

medication.

Barbiturates, Lithium

is

pregnancy,

are

an

foetal

anticoagulant

warfarin

that

syndrome,

acts

as

well

by

as

spontaneous abortion or stillbirth may occur.

classified as FDA pregnancy category D drugs and are not recommended during pregnancy.

Misoprostol A

Anti-hypertensive drugs Captopril

and

Converting

Enalapril

Enzyme

mucous

producing

Prostaglandin

E1(PGE1)

analogue, Misoprostol is prescribed as a treatment known

(ACE)

as

inhibitors

Angiotensinshould

for

be

peptic

ulcer

diseases.

It

induces

uterine

contractions if taken during pregnancy, which can

avoided in pregnant women due to their effects of

result in an unexpected abortion.

causing birth defects and fetal demise.

Anti-infective drugs Vitamin A derivative

Human

Oral isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane, has been

used

successfully

in

patients

with

beings

are

greatly

exposed

to

various

infections caused by microbes among other causal

severe

agents of infectious diseases that influence them to

nodulocystic acne. This Drug interferes with normal

initiate drug therapy. Some viral infections are highly

embryonic development hence should not be given

linked with congenital anomalies, growth restrictions,

during pregnancy.

premature

delivery

and

potential

embryotoxicity.

Efavirenz, an antiviral agent, should be avoided in the

first

trimester

of

pregnancy

and

in

women

planning to get pregnant due to its negative effect on the foetus.

Page 43

SGNIWARD

By Themba Rihlampfu - SAPSF, South Africa

E: thembarf42@gmail.com

Page 44

By Themba Rihlampfu - SAPSF, South Africa

E: thembarf42@gmail.com

Page 45

By Themba Rihlampfu - SAPSF, South Africa

E: thembarf42@gmail.com

Page 46

Pharmacy education in

covid19 between a rock and a hard place By Jide Babayeju - PANS, Nigeria

E:Â jidebabs8@gmail.com

So many questions and more, but deep down, we all know the answer.

T

he Coronavirus pandemic has affected all activities,

and

the

education

sector

has

slowly picking up, the educational sector sadly remains

education Tertiary

The has

big also

institutions

pharmacists

pause

affected

are

(except

coronavirus

not

for

pharmacy

able

those

has

put

most

on

countries,

and

with

the

the

healthcare

minute

system

but

is

irrefutable

the

frontline

healthcare

professionals,

the

need

for

more pharmacists has never been more apparent.

education.

to

churn

who

were

out

new

awaiting

From hospital ward and community pharmacy rounds to

long

laboratory

hours

instilled

in

the

pharmacy

curriculum, can all this be done effectively on Zoom or

induction before the onset of the pandemic).

other Pharmacists are key members of any healthcare team.

With our knowledge centred on and around drugs, it makes a special case that we are as important as any other member of an interdisciplinary health care team in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) more than ever in this pandemic.

African

overstretched

morbidity and mortality rate of the coronavirus among

been the worst hit. While other sectors are

stagnant.

In

video

conferencing

applications

that

have

become unequivocally popular during this pandemic?

Bearing in mind that dry labs do little to no teaching compared

to

hands-

on

practical

activities

in

the

laboratory, can these platforms serve as a true test of knowledge

for

examinations?

Continuous Can

we

Assessment produce

pharmacists via online learning?

Page 47

Tests

and

well-rounded

Page 48

What Can Pharmacists Do to Curb Drug Abuse in Society?

By Hope Mufaro Mashavakure - AfRO Blogger 2019-2020

E: hmashavakure@gmail.com

Prescription drug abuse is a modern-day disease. Prescription drugs are the medicines prescribed by physicians to patients to treat various diseases. They are very safe if they are used properly. Research has shown that many prescription drugs are being abused, leading to a rise in a need to find a solution to this problem.

The best way to get rid of this is to work with healthcare professionals who are in direct contact with the people who abuse drugs.

Pharmacists as health professionals are the most accessible and are well-positioned to help prevent and treat substance use disorders. They should prepare themselves to perform these functions.

disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is

difficult

to

control

despite

its

detrimental

consequences.

Pharmacists can serve as the first line of defense in the fight against addiction. They can participate in Prescription

Drug

Pharmacists

against

Monitoring drug

Programs

abuse

(PDMPs).

should

establish

digital databases that help track the dispensing of controlled substances across the nation. It will be a helping tool for pharmacists seeking new ways to spot drug-seeking behaviors.

Pharmaceutical companies can also work within their research highly

systems

addictive

to

come

drugs.

up

These

with

alternatives

companies

can

to

also

Problems associated with drug abuse are becoming

work together with hospitals to develop educational

more complex, causing individuals to be addicted to

systems so that post-surgery patients and doctors

more than one drug. Nowadays, it is often the case

understand

that

Against

a

person

combination.

uses

This

a

can

lot

of

different

further

intricate

drugs the

in

co-

the

Drug

risk

Abuse

of

such

(PADA)

drugs.

should

Pharmacists

also

schedules

establish

medication

synchronisation

existence of substance abuse and mental disorders.

pharmacists

coordinate

Substance abuse is the maladaptive use of illegal,

prescriptions on the same day each month. These

prescription, or over the counter drugs for purposes

programs will give pharmacists the chance to check

other than those for which they are meant to be

in with the patients.

patients’

in

pickup

which

of

their

used, which leads to clinically significant impairment.

Another

way

in

which

pharmacists

can

curb

drug

counselling

and

Pharmacists can effectively bring change in the fight

abuse

against substance abuse. Awareness is the first step

educating

towards change. As a pharmacist, it is critical to

opioid

keep up to date on the latest federal statements and

patient about the risks of opioid overuse. Holding the

regulations, as well as treatment guidelines about

patient accountable to their course of treatment can

prescription and non- prescription drugs of abuse.

help

Pharmacists should initiate patient screening for the

thorough accounting of the person’s non-therapeutic

potential abuse of all drugs including prescription

drug use can mitigate drug interactions if the patient

medications. Addiction is a chronic primary and fatal

complies with the pharmacist’s counselling.

Page 49

in

society patients.

patient,

prevent

is For

through

example,

pharmacists

substance

to

should

abuse

the

chronic

enlighten

before

it

the

starts.

A

Although it might seem difficult to eliminate, pharmacists have a great opportunity to intervene to curb the problems of drug abuse that others may not have. It is very crucial to understand the importance of resisting drug abuse, especially among teenagers, so that a formidable future of the young generation may be assured.

Community

pharmacists

instructions

for

medication

taking

works

for

can their

their

help

patients

medication

conditions.

understand

along

with

Furthermore,

the

how

they

the

can

be

watchful for alterations of prescriptions. This makes the pharmacists serve as the first line of defense in recognizing problematic patterns in prescription drug use. Community pharmacies should also develop software and hotlines to alert other pharmacies in the nation when they detect deceptive prescriptions.

To curb drug abuse problems, pharmacists must ask patients about their use of illegal drugs as well as screen for dependence on these chemicals

for

therapeutic

concerns.

This

goes

in

line

with

pharmaceutical care that should be provided directly to the patients so that their quality of life may be improved. For example, cigarette smoke and nicotine are pulmonary irritants. Thus, pharmacists should screen patients receiving prescription medication for cardiovascular problems

for

unambiguous

tobacco information

smoking. about

Pharmacists

the

must

association

provide

between

their

tobacco use and their medical problems.

As more adolescents are turning from street drugs to prescription drugs

for

recreation

pharmacists

should

or

to

enhance

participate

in

public

academic education,

performance, especially

in

secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Pharmacists also need to be extra vigilant in supplying medicines either on prescription or over the counter and should be more aware of medicines’ potential to end

up

on

the

black

market.

For

example,

people

are

abusing

Alprazolam, which causes forgetfulness. Substance abuse is not only limited to opioids or benzodiazepines, but many agents are also misused,

especially

if

they

promethazine or quetiapine.

Page 50

have

a

sedating

profile

such

as

Page 51

Africa is, my land, my home, my mother, Where greatness is born, Where the first man learnt how to hunt and gather, Use sticks and stones to separate meat from the bones, Where the first fire sparked, Where Bibi taught the young girls how to preserve food without a refrigerator, Learned how to use cow dung and the sun rays as electricity generator, Where leaves and roots aren’t just used for food, But cure and remedies, Africa heals the body and soul through her hospitality, She feeds all the children of the earth with so much more, than maize and flour, But with love and humility, She opens her gates to endless possibilities, She nourishes my soul, with richness stored deep within her core, She melts me with the fire of her love which her love she pours Where Kilimanjaro stands and the Kalahari spreads, Africa is, not poor, not black, not lost or in lack, For her people wake before the sun rises from the East, And throughout the day they feast, Through struggle and birth pain,

MAMA AFRICA

She has given birth to the wisdom of forgiveness, through Nelson Mandela, Uhuru and Umoja through Mwalimu Nyerere’s sera, I am Africa, the strength of the elephant’s tusks, The roar made by the wild beasts, The beauty of the Egyptian pyramids,

By Erick A. Minja - TAPSA, Tanania

The great waters that engulf us on the East and on

E: minjaerick7@gmail.com

the West, The kind hearts of the people, We bless you Mama Africa, God bless you Mama Africa.

Page 52

Mama, There are shades; Shades that could tag your beauty.

But you do not let them define you, Do you?

You make every shade beautiful.

And make me love you even more.

- Elton Decker

Page 53

Write Me A Poem

By Obongofon Etuk - PANS, Nigeria

E: obongofonjnr@gmail.com.com

Write me a poem, Let it flow with emotions and all your thoughts, Let each line dance in scattered stanzas, And the rhythm a confused notion of an hyperbole.

Write me a poem, Let each line set with laughter and break into tears.

Tell

me

war

stories

of

how

the

victorious

never

conquered.

Let your poem be a hymn for a mass burial.

Write me a poem, With each letter depressed like Mr Newman, Make it a sad poem beaming with laughter, Let her speak languages demented souls understand .

Write me a poem, Tell stories of two little brothers, One named Peace the other named Violence, Say how the latter rose so mighty.

Write me a poem, With each stanzas frowning their face, Outline the tears tattooed on their cheek, Take note also to their laments when they sob.

Write me a poem, Stories of how love was murdered, Stories of charity begging for alms, Stories of justice blinded with hate.

Write me a poem, Provoke the thoughts left to lie, Again and again tell the havocs you see.

Write me a poem would you?

Page 54

Stars

By Caleb, NsikakAbasi James - PANS, Nigeria

E: nsikakabasicaleb@gmail.com

Little blobs of light Shining bright in the sky A million and more hues Birthing somethingbeautiful Some shining brighter than others

Little creatures that bring so much joy Precious jewels in the galaxy of nature A real reflection of hope

An explosive mashup of color and light The light of one helping to form another You are one I am one

I was twelve when i realized all I had was pink, My bags, clothes, shoes, books and even my ink.

Well, I stopped and asked.

Why dolls for girls and cars for boys?

Why boys go for blue and girls pink?

Why dowry for her? Treating her like a thing,

Where

While he acts like her owner and her king.

Why the kitchen her home and she is

did it all

go wrong?

deprived of making wealth?

Why the huge rift between gender?

Yes! Nature has left me to ponder.

I stand to say, this is not fine!

Why have we drawn such a line?

By Osuoha Ngozi Rosemary - PANS, Nigeria

E: osuoharosemary@gmail.com Where is the world were women and men are treated equally?

Where is the world were women are not treated with disrespect and sheer folly?

Women are awesome,loving and never weak.

She shouldn't be treated like she stays in the antique.

Page 55

The

Weddings

By Keilah Bright - GPSA, Ghana

E: erica2018der@gmail.com

That day’s wedding ceremony was short but worth remembering.

Even the birds attended that wedding Just that there was no trumpeter So the drummer beat his drum till we all rose And joined the lovely women who danced and shook their bums

There was pito and akpeteshie to choose from And tuozafi and fufu to fight for The elders ate and drank all the wine And pushed the koose for the children to eat And everyone went home singing in the local dialect

The next day’s wedding was long Yet the birds refused to stay This time the trumpeter came, blowing till our ears turned sore So the birds flew west to play in the open space And only the old lady who couldn’t hear danced at her very best

Everyone sat as they popped that drink which made a lot of foam Others queued for that food they called “Fried rice” The elders sat and watched and smoked their pipes And summoned the children to eat to their hearts content And everyone went home with some gossiping about the bride’s make-up

Page 56

The Highlights 9th IPSF African Regional Assembly

Page 59

AEP-Mali Best Association 2019-2020

Noah Sesay - NAPS-SL, Sierra Leone Best Contact Person 2019-2020

Yaw Asamoah Mfoafo - GPSA, Ghana Best Student Exchange Officer 2019-2020

TAPSA, Tanzania 10th IPSF African Pharmaceutical Symposium 2022 Host

9th IPSF African Regional Assembly 31st July - 3rd August 2020

Page 64

Members-in-Association

EPSA, Eswatini

CAPSA, Cameroon

AEPHARM, Guinea

AEP-Sn, Senegal

UNZAPHAMSA,

AEPHAN, Niger

Zambia

MUPSA, Uganda

COMPSA, Malawi

PHARMSA-UL, Liberia

Full Members

AESPHAB, Benin

CEP/UOB, Democratic

TAPSA, Tanzania

Republic of Congo

PANS, Nigeria

GPSA, Ghana

RPSA, Rwanda

AEP-Mali

CEPHARM, BUrkina

KEPhSA,Kenya

Faso

Full Members

SAPSF, South Africa

UPSA, Uganda

AEPHAT, Togo

NAPS -SL, Sierra leone

ZPSA, Zimbabwe

EBIV ORfA EHT

Page 68

Hello,

Receive warm greetings from the city under the sun!

Purity here and I must start by saying that this has been a beautiful journey; one that I would go back in time, 5 years ago, to take again. IPSF has taught me some of the most valuable life lessons and made me a better all-rounded person. It has been my

joy,

my

chaos

and

everything

in

between.

I

am

glad

I

embraced it all with open arms…including a pandemic. :)

I am most proud of my time in office as the Chairperson of the IPSF

African

Regional

Office.

There

has

been

tremendous

growth witnessed in the region over the past one year especially in regard to the new partnerships, the new projects and the new members that just joined us; that is Cameroon, Eswatini and Guinea. Seeing more and more countries join IPSF gives me so much joy and I can only hope that IPSF will expand further within the

African

region

and

reach

every

Pharmacy

student

and

recent graduate.

Looking epitome Regional

back, of

a

everything dream

Working

that

that

Group

we

achieved

worked worked

thanks

to

tirelessly

this

year

is

the

teamwork. The throughout

the

mandate to give you the best, to expose you to the best and to see you become your best! I am particularly grateful to all the IPSF

AfRO

Contact

Persons,

Student

Exchange

Officers

and

subcommittee members for their hard work, commitment and dedication to IPSF and IPSF AfRO. You gave the region an exceptional vibrance!

RWG 2019-2020 Certainly, all good things come to an end and this marks the end of the 2019-20 mandate. However, it is not the end of my IPSF journey. I am looking forward to my next role as the IPSF AfRO

Immediate

Past

Chairperson,

a

member

for

the

IPSF

Auditing Committee and a member of the IPSF Advisory Board over the next one year.

Lastly, I’d like to encourage every Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Student toembrace the adventure that IPSF is! In case you haven’t said YES to IPSF, I hope that this first of its kind EMagazine encourages you to do so. It is a blend of talents that simply says, there’s much more to it than just being a Pharmacy student!

Purity Wambui, IPSF AfRO Chairperson 2019-2020

Page 69

Testimonials

It was an interesting journey and a great fulfillment to have contributed my little quota in furthering

IPSF

objectives

across

AfRO

sub-region

as

the

Regional

Secretary.

This

portfolio was accompanied with some challenges and great responsibility. However, One of my key driving force has always been my great passion and love for IPSF, Secretariat duties and PAN African spirit. Having held several Secretariat positions before emerging as the AfRO regional secretary, I have at least some first-hand experience as to some task involved in steering the administrative Secretariat like IPSF AfRO's. It was more or less like doing a something I would consider a hobby. However, this position has pushed me to grow beyond my initial thinking and also deepen my secretariat skills, and equip me for stronger challenges in the near future.

RWG 2019-2020

Testimonials

I especially had fun working with IPSF-AfRO because of the networking opportunities across the continent and beyond, and working with other very intelligent people within the group. We were able to achieve quite a lot due to the shared vision of the group.

As a member of the Regional Working Group, you are expected to be meticulous and diligent at all times. I was so happy that many of the outgoing RWG exhibited such qualities at a very high level. So it was a smooth sail as everyone could see.

I have no doubt the incoming RWG would do much better by trying as much as possible to keep motivating our members and sustain the vibe

we

initiated

across

the

federation,

especially

francophone

countries, and deepen the partnership with FESPAO. I would also suggest the incoming RWG move more steadily towards integrating AfRO

prominent

local

communication.

I

so

communication

across

indigenous

much

languages

believe

the

region,

this

into

would

and

our

regional

greatly

enhance

more

inclusive

bring

participation. Another issue is sourcing and reaching out to external organizations for partnerships for future IPSF events.

Also, I would love to see, in the future, a situation whereby IPSF AfRO would have a holistic record of all our members with names, numbers and all bio-data well archived accordingly. This particular data will go a long way in projecting AfRO to our possible partners and also enhance a deeper communication within the regional office. It will also engender brotherhood and provide future RWG with a pool of pioneers, leaders and alumni to call upon when needed.

Finally,

I

would

Presidents,

like

AfRO

to

teams

thank and

immensely the

entire

the IPSF

very

distinguished

Pharmily

for

this

CPs,

SEOs,

great

and

Chapter

wonderful

opportunity to serve the regional office. It was just like yesterday when it all began, and it now feels like it should never end. However, the end of a thing is inevitable in all human endeavours. Be rest assured that I will always cherish this great privilege for a very long time to come. My deepest appreciation goes to every single RWG member whom I have come to recognize as part of me. It was amazing working with such extremely smart individuals from the Chairperson: Ms Purity Wambui, RRO: Ms Emmanuella Nzeribe, RMPO: Mr Elton Vidal Francis Decker, RPO: Ms Lilian, IPC:

Mr. Othniel Nimbabazi and finally, Mr

Malatji Thabang, the AfPS 2020 Reception Committee Chairperson. My very committed and

diligent

Quality

Translations

and

Documentation

Subcommittee

members,

I

will

forever be indebted to you all for a massive job we were able to pull off together. You

Iyke Udenze IPSF AfRO Secretary 2019-2020

are

the

true

encouragement

MVPs.

Also,

throughout,

thanks

to

especially

predecessor, Mr Isaac Nii Ofoli Anang.

Page 70

all Ms

our

past

Alliance

leaders

Ishinwe

for

Stella

the and

support my

and

immediate

Wow, I can't believe it's been four years already since I came across IPSF. It has been an incredible journey with my biggest takeaways being a strong work ethic, skills and a

large

Pharmily

all

over

the

continent.

The

professionalism, passion and great commitment with which IPSF members execute their roles are incredible and it's been

amazing

seeing

our

predecessors transition

into

successful and diverse careers. New to IPSF? find your passion within the portfolios and give it your all, there is literally no negative effects!

RWG 2019-2020

Testimonials

Lilian Muthoni, IPSF AfRO Regional Projects Officer 2019-2020

Page 71

The Greek Proverb goes this way- “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in”. In our case, IPSF and AfRO have grown so much because of the hard work of those that came before us. I am glad that such a time as this, I have been part of the team contributing our quota to the growth and its time to let others continue.

Serving the African Regional Office this mandate has been rewarding

and

at

the

same

time

an

amazing

opportunity.

Contributing towards the growth of AfRO both internally and

RWG 2019-2020

Testimonials

externally in various ways. We thank God that even amidst this pandemic, we are conquerors.

In no particular order, my appreciation goes to my amazing subcommittee

members,

who

upon

sharing

the

vision

with

them; saw the vision and ran with it – Ephraim Udokang, Mutesi Immaculate,

Isaac

Nii

Ofoli

Anang,

Qiniso

Zikhali,

Pascal

Mongane, Yaw Asamoah Mfoafo and Moussa Fofana. Heaven knows that all that was accomplished this year wouldn’t have been done without you all. Thank you! To my lovely CPs, SEOs, Presidents and members of the AfRO team; I appreciate your co-operation and their liveliness throughout the mandate. To the Regional working group of 2019/2020, thank you so much for your consistency and support. I also appreciate both the internal and external committee as well as the IPSF team for their amazing support throughout the mandate.

Finally, I will urge the incoming RRO and the RWG; there is a lot we

can

do

to

keep

growing

AfRO

and

every

single

AfRO

member has a role to play in this. Let us keep growing AfRO and IPSF. Needless I remind us all that the world of Pharmacy keeps evolving by the day and so there are so much that we can

do

as

youths

to

contribute

and

to

handover

a

better

healthcare system to the next generation. All of these start from the little things we do in our own small world hence we shouldn’t stop seeking ways to improve and also contribute to our space. I wish us all the best in our future endeavours.

Meanwhile, this isn’t a goodbye from me. In IPSF we do not say goodbye, we say see you soon. See you all at the top.

Nzeribe Emmanuella, IPSF AfRO Regional Relations Officer 2019-2020

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