Several Oral Drug Therapeutic System Invented in Past 3 Decades in Nigeria, Says Pharmacy Professor

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, December 28th, 2018

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A renowned professor of pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN Professor Kenneth Ofokansi, has said that several novel oral drug therapeutic systems have been invented along with the appreciable development of drug delivery technology for the past three decades.

Prof. Ofokansi explained that although, these advanced drug delivery systems are manufactured or fabricated in traditional pharmaceutical formulations, such as tablets, capsules, sachets, suspensions, emulsions and solutions, they are superior to the conventional oral dosage forms in terms of their therapeutic efficacies, toxicities and stabilities.

Presenting the 140^th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria titled “breaking the barriers to effective peroral drug delivery”, inside the princess Alexandra auditorium, Nsukka, yesterday, the University don who is the chairman of the senate ceremonials committee of UNN, submitted that based on the desired therapeutic objectives, the modern oral drug distribution systems may be assorted into three categories

According to him, these includes, immediate – release preparations, controlled – released preparations and targeted – release preparations, pointing out that the immediate release preparations are primarily intended to achieve faster onset of action for drugs such as analgesic, antipyretics and coronary vasodilators.

He noted that other advantages of the system included enhanced oral bioavailability through transmucosal delivery and pregastric absortions, convenience in drug administration to dysphagic patients, especially the elderly and bedridden.

According to Prof. Ofokansi, who hails from Nando, Anambra State in the last four and half decades, the area of peroral drug delivery has undergone unprecedented changes, this transition has been mainly driven by the increased understanding of pharmaceutical and biological constraints at the molecular / atomic level, increased generation of drug candidates and emergence of several advanced technologies”.

He added that overall, this area had made significant technological advances, not only in drug delivery aspects but also in various processing (fabrication) technologies, adding that it was therefore anticipated that current trends in peroral delivery would bring the much-awaited revolution in the delivery of therapeutic agents, particularly biotechnology-based molecules.

The professor, made it clear that the purpose of any drug delivery system was to enhance or facilitate the action of therapeutic compounds, stressing that it should now be apparent that conventional drug delivery systems are associated with a number of limitations which can reduce drug efficacy.

He also joined other well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians to call on government at all levels to take the issue of providing funds for the establishment of specialized reference laboratories in our universities very seriously if Nigeria must take a leap forward to join the league of innovation-driven and developing economies of the world.

He however, paid glowing tribute to his late father, chief Gabriel Ozoekwe Ofokansi for laying a solid foundation for him and his sweet mother, Mrs. Cecilia Mbanugo Ofokansi, who encouraged her brother, Christopher Ogbonnia Anijah, to train him and his brother, Dr. Uchenna Ofokansi, in the University, as well as his dear wife, Dr. Nneoma Ofokansi, for her love, prayers and understanding.

While appreciating the vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, for believing in him, Prof. Ofokansi also praised the managing director of Miral Pharm Ltd, Lagos, Mr. Onyeka Micah Onyeibor, Ejike Ugwoke, Dozie Ikegbuna, Francis Edozie, Nnamdi Okoye, Chibuike Onwusoba and Chukwuma Ugezu for their support.

Earlier, the vice chancellor, of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, re-affirmed the commitment of management to continue to invest on research and expressed joy that UNN was now ranked as the best university in Nigeria.