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Wellness medical distribution launch online platform for pharmaceutical products in Nigeria

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Wellness medical distribution launch online platform for pharmaceutical products in Nigeria

Wellness medical distribution launch online platform for pharmaceutical products in Nigeria By Ifeoma Ikem

 

 

 

 

 

Wellness Healthcare Group on Monday launched an online platform for sales of pharmaceutical products that is affordable and accessible to suppliers across Nigeria market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode Limited, Dr Obadare Peter, says technology has changed the landscape for every business in the world and Pharmacy profession had toed the path of digitalization.

 

 

 

 

Wellness medical distribution launch online platform for pharmaceutical products in Nigeria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter disclosed this in his keynote address titled ‘ Exploring the Digital Age Opportunities: the Future of healthcare in Africa during the launch of Pharmacentre, at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The CEO described the launch of Pharmacentre as apt adding that technology has made things very easy to end users which was one of the major reason wellness healthcare brought their products to help enhanced healthcare service delivery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the group, history made people to understand that over 253,000 deaths happen yearly in Nigeria, due to insufficient access to quality healthcare and a good number of the casualties come from inadequate health systems due to little or no access to medicines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, major disruptions has occured in the pharmaceutical markets globally through technology and online commerce, in a bid to facilitate easier and safer access to drugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As such, technology has made it convenient getting medicines online for consumers for the benefit of quick, easy and private access to medical needs, with the click of a mouse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obadare said, we have reached the limit of how far we can automate our operational processes. Working as an integrated company will slow us down and tackle innovation . Becoming a digital marketer helps to strategize ourselves in the physical world and still be valuable in the digital economy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“ Digitalization is actually changing everything that we are doing today. During covid, most industries were disrupted .

” With this launch, Pharmacentre is the biggest in the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria at the moment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said, “there is no doubt that technology is the elephant in the house . But its usage comes with a lot of risk .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The reality is that if you do what is right in terms of due care and due-diligence, most of those inherent risks that can impact on customers and other people within the eco system will be minimized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Pharmacentre has therefore, put the mechanism in place to consider the issue of security and cybercrime . This is to ensure that everyone that comes on board are those validated. It is also to ensure that the right people are within that eco system to take care of all of those inherent concerns of people”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prof. Cyril Usifo,the National president , Pharmaceutical Companies in Nigeria,addresses Pharmacentre initiative as a right step in the right direction, noting that one would be overtaken by technology if not embraced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He notes that the platform would not only create a common meeting place for Pharmacists and other stakeholders to get what they need, but it would also facilitate tracking of adulterated drugs within the space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director, in charge of Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, Lagos Zonal Office, Dr Ukamaka Okafor, stated that Pharmacentre would absorb a lot of problems of community pharmacists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, the council launched an online pharmacy regulations that would assist young pharmacists who could not afford the infrastructure needed to host online platforms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But with Pharmacentre, it will assist committed pharmacists who want to do online pharmacy in their investment. All they need to do is to come under this platform and then practice the community pharmacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

” We at Pharmacist Council of Nigeria are the regulators and our work is to ensure that all Pharmacentre products is going to be in line with laid down standard. Any pharmacist that would have to come under Pharmacentre platform is supposed to be registered by the Council.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“They have the wholesale and retail pharmacy as well as the community pharmacy and the end users which is the last -mile distribution. For the last -mile distribution, it is expected that the community pharmacy interface with the patients . On this point, the patient or the client is not allowed to access pharmaceutical products on that platform without interfacing with the pharmacist. So these are part of the things that we as Pharmacist Council of Nigeria are going to ensure it happen”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Adetutu Afolabi, the Group MD/CEO of Wellness Medical Distribution, said that “today’s world is filled with uncertainty, broken infrastructure, and numerous supply chain challenges. As affordability and accessibility to pharmaceutical supplies when needed, in Nigeria it has become a strong pain point, having a value-driven platform like Pharmacentre that enhances collaboration amongst pharmacists and other healthcare providers will improve the well-being of our people.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Nobody should be left stranded because they do not have a pharmacist in their network.”,she said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to her,Pharmacentre is an online platform that enables licensed medical professionals to sell quality medical products to businesses and consumers alike as an integrative marketplace,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Many persons within the country, battling with chronic health conditions or having challenges in accessing traditional pharmacy services search for relevant platforms for access to quality medical products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While a number of e-platforms in Nigeria exist to cater to this need, there are still very significant gaps in linkages between all points of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Also, a bulk of these existing platforms are largely consumer-facing and do not seamlessly solve the need for pharmacies looking to stock medical .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She explained that the Pharmacentre platform, however, enables users to either register as individuals or businesses. Registered users are further required to indicate if they would be interacting on the platform as a customer or as a vendor. However, only licensed vendors are authenticated to sell on the marketplace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through the platform, users, whether as individuals or businesses, will be able, not only to get quality medicines from licensed vendors but also able to get these delivered conveniently to their doorsteps, with the least hassle. Using the ‘Talk to a Pharmacist’ feature as well, users on the platform can easily get first-hand recommendations and prescriptions from licensed pharmacists before purchasing drugs online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vendors on the platform get to benefit from the ease of listing their medical products on the platform, thereby, broadening the visibility of their business and brand. They also get to track how their products are faring via real-time marketing reports/dashboards showing sales on the platform. Vendors likewise are able to run promotions on the platform to market their products to a wider viewership as well as flexibly offer discounts on their products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mobile app affords users the power to choose health and wellness for themselves, through options to request healthcare services and monitor their health from the comfort of their homes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also Wellness Healthcare Group is committed in providing good and affordable healthcare to all through its robust innovative healthcare solutions.

To know more about the Pharmacentre platform, visit https://pharmacentre.afric

Health/Beauty

Transforming Healthcare: RapidHeal Nigeria Offers Job Opportunities for 100 Certified Nurses Nationwide

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Transforming Healthcare: RapidHeal Nigeria Offers Job Opportunities for 100 Certified Nurses Nationwide

Transforming Healthcare: RapidHeal Nigeria Offers Job Opportunities for 100 Certified Nurses Nationwide

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Why Men Without Morning Erection Need Help 

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Why Men Without Morning Erection Need Help 

Why Men Without Morning Erection Need Help 

 

Male reproductive health experts have urged men to take their sexual health seriously by seeking medical evaluation if they are not experiencing morning erections, a common and natural occurrence in healthy men.

The urologists stated that men experiencing persistent erectile issues or concerns should consult a healthcare professional for personalised evaluation and guidance.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians advised men not having morning erections to carry out a comprehensive health assessment, including hormone testing, semen analysis, and lifestyle evaluations, to determine the underlying causes which may be erectile dysfunction or infertility.

According to Healthline, morning erections, a natural occurrence in most men, are often seen as a sign of healthy sexual function. They are typically caused by increased blood flow and hormonal fluctuations during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep.

The health website, however, noted that a notable number of men have reported experiencing a lack of morning erections, raising concerns about potential fertility or sexual health problems.

While some experts suggested that the absence of morning erection could be linked to underlying health issues, including infertility, others argued that it is not a reliable indicator of reproductive health.

A consultant urologist, Dr Emmanuel Eze stated that the body’s ability to have regular morning erections may be a reflection of broader reproductive health.

The physician stressed that the absence of morning erections could signal problems with hormone levels, such as low testosterone, or vascular health, which could affect overall erectile function and, in some cases, fertility.

Eze emphasised that morning erection is a natural occurrence during the REM sleep stage, typically happening 3-5 times per night.

The physician explained that the absence of morning erections could suggest issues such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone levels, or underlying cardiovascular conditions.

According to him, it is normal for men to experience morning erections three to five times each night. These erections are typically spontaneous and occur without sexual arousal. The process is part of the body’s natural hormonal fluctuations and is linked to the functioning of the nervous system and blood flow.

Eze explained that these spontaneous erections during sleep are crucial in maintaining healthy erectile function and, by extension, overall reproductive health.

He emphasised that they are a natural and healthy sign of the body’s ability to achieve and maintain erections, which are important for male fertility.

“While occasional changes in morning erections are normal as men age, a persistent lack of them could point to potential health problems such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, or even more serious conditions like heart disease. Men mustn’t ignore these early warning signs.

“A comprehensive evaluation can help pinpoint the cause and allow for timely treatment options, whether it’s lifestyle changes, therapy, or medications,” Eze added.

Speaking further, the urologist elaborated that the absence of morning erections could be an indication of various medical conditions that might impact sexual and reproductive health.

“Erectile dysfunction is often the result of an imbalance in the body’s ability to deliver blood to the penis. If morning erections are absent, it could be a reflection of poor blood flow or nerve function, which are key contributors to erectile dysfunction,” Eze explained.

In addition to erectile dysfunction, the male reproductive expert noted that the absence of morning erections may also be linked to low testosterone levels.

He added, “Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, essential for sexual function, mood regulation, and the production of sperm. A decline in testosterone can lead to a reduced frequency of morning erections. It can also cause a range of other symptoms, such as fatigue, decreased libido, and loss of muscle mass. While a decrease in testosterone levels is a natural part of aging, significant drops in testosterone could signal more serious health concerns.”

Eze also underscored the connection between erectile function and male fertility, stressing that problems with achieving or maintaining an erection could affect a man’s ability to conceive.

He explained that erectile function plays a critical role in sperm delivery, and when erectile issues arise, they could make it more difficult to engage in regular sexual activity, which could impact fertility.

“There is a direct connection between erectile function and male fertility. If a man is consistently not experiencing morning erections, it could indicate that there’s an issue with his reproductive system, whether it’s a problem with his hormones, blood vessels, or nerve function,” he said.

He pointed out that while the absence of morning erections does not automatically equate to infertility, it could signal underlying problems that should be addressed.

Eze advised that men who notice a persistent absence of morning erections should consult a urologist for an evaluation of their reproductive and sexual health.

He explained that poor blood circulation, which is often associated with heart disease or high blood pressure, can directly affect the ability to achieve erections.

“The vessels that supply blood to the penis are small and delicate, and when these vessels are compromised due to poor cardiovascular health, it can result in a decreased ability to have spontaneous erections.

“Erectile dysfunction is frequently one of the early signs of cardiovascular problems. If a man is not having morning erections, it could be a sign that his vascular health is not in optimal condition. It’s essential to recognise this as a potential red flag and seek medical advice before the issue becomes more severe,” the urologist warned.

However, a Senior Registrar in Urology at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Akpo Edewor, argued that the lack of a morning erection is not necessarily an indication of serious health concerns, as many people assume.

Edewor emphasised that the absence of morning erections is not an automatic sign of erectile dysfunction or serious sexual health problems.

He explained, “Morning erections should not be viewed as the definitive measure of sexual health. It is important to understand that men can still maintain erectile function despite not having morning erections. This does not immediately indicate erectile dysfunction.”

The urologist stressed that various factors, such as sleep patterns, stress, or even the time a man wakes up, can influence whether or not he experiences a morning erection.

He further clarified that a key component in assessing erectile health is the ability to achieve an erection in response to sexual stimuli.

“If a man can still attain an erection when engaging with a partner, even without morning erections, this indicates that his erectile function is likely intact,” he stated.

Erectile dysfunction, according to Edewor, is more complex than just the absence of morning erections. It is a condition where a man consistently struggles to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.

He said various health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and even the medications used to treat these conditions, could contribute to erectile dysfunction.

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Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation

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Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation

 

 

A British doctor has warned that excessive masturbation is behind the rise of male health problems.

In moderation, self-pleasure helps to reduce stress, and improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become ‘an unhealthy habit’ and trigger a form of erectile dysfunction, says Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.

Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation

‘Overall, there’s no strict rule or guideline on how much people should masturbate.’

‘But when masturbation gets out of hand, there’s a variety of ways it can impact sexual and physical health.’

A key concern is the rise of porn use: half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom, and Dr Grant links this to the rise in porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED.

 

Up to 50 percent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons. It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes but can also have no obvious cause. One lesser-known culprit could be PIED, claims Dr Grant.

‘PIED is a type of erectile dysfunction that stems from an unhealthy consumption of pornography.

‘This unhealthy porn usage can lead to desensitisation, making it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection — as they’re used to more intense sexual activity seen on screen.

‘It can lead to reduced interest in sex with actual partners as men prioritise porn and masturbation instead.’

More worryingly, Dr Grant warns that compulsive masturbation could trigger physical changes that affect intimacy.

‘Compulsive masturbation can lead to reduced sensitivity in the genital area, making it more difficult to achieve sexual pleasure or stimulation.

‘It can occur when nerve endings become damaged from too much activity, creating a loss of sensitivity.

‘This can also impact individuals who masturbate too roughly, causing potential friction damage.

 

‘Thankfully, this is a short-term issue and factors such as taking breaks or utilising lubricants can help restore sensitivity.

‘And thankfully, there are a range of treatments available to men who are struggling with ED, helping them manage a healthy sex life and achieve erections with ease.’

Dr Grant added that ‘over-masturbating’ can be damaging in other ways.

It can cause men and women to become ‘hyper-focused on their own pleasure, meaning when the time comes for sexual intercourse with a partner, individuals could experience performance anxiety, which directly impacts sex drive.’

The question of how much is too much is subjective, he admitted.
‘Masturbation habits can differ largely from person to person with some people doing it daily, weekly or not at all.

‘It’s important to monitor the sexual activity to ensure it doesn’t interfere with social lives, work or relationships.

‘Additionally, discomfort or injury is usually a telltale sign that the masturbation sessions are becoming too much and harming health.

‘It’s important to maintain a healthy but sensible sex life through masturbation, ensuring it’s not at the expense of daily activities.

‘Some people can even experience mental distress due to guilt or shame relating to their masturbation — this can stem from porn usage or other factors, but can have a big effect on people’s mental well-being.

‘Overall, common sense is required to ensure it remains a recreational activity without interfering with other aspects of daily life.’

 

 

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