A Pharmacist and Social Entrepreneur - Alhaji Yakubu Layi Gobir says no fewer than 3,000 people living with different ailments have been offered free medical tests and treated by his company - INVIVO Pharmacy + Free Clinic at the Palms Shopping Mall in Ibadan, Oyo State capital– within the last 10 months. The company is also collaborating with government agencies in the country to bring quality health care to the masses at affordable cost.

Alhaji Gobir disclosed this weekend in Ilorin the Kwara State capital while fielding questions from journalists He explained that such a patient would be given the opportunity to consult the company's medical doctors free of charge. Apart from the over 3,000 patients seen at the free clinic, the state f the art INVIVO Pharmacy has also intervened in about ninety drug therapy problems including unnecessary drug therapy; wrong drugs ;dose too low; dose too high; adverse drug reaction; inappropriate compliance and need for additional drug therapy.

Alhaji Gobir pointed out that the company was primarily established to remove bottlenecks and address the social problems, which hashindered many Nigerians from accessing affordable quality health care. He maintained that because of the collaboration of the company with agencies of government andnon-governmental organizations, patients with critical health challenges are referred to some hospitals close to the Palms Mall which is situated on Ring Road in Ibadan.

The proprietor disclosed that the pharmaceutical company has entered into bilateral agreement with Metro eye to provide eye check ups and as well as conducting glaucoma screening for patients. Gobir added that the company also collaborates with the Primary Health Care Department in Ibadan South Local Government Area of Oyo State to offer free immunization to children aged 0-59 months.

He stated that the company has practically moved from a product-centered (supply of medicines) to a patient-centered role, adding that it has also shifted from a business-focused to a health-focused way of thinking. "We provide services to the general public, and every patient that sees us has the benefit of a free health check and consultation with a medical doctor. Our health team is made up of two pharmacists, two doctors and a nurse who gives a basic appraisal of the blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and BMI of every patient, and free optional HIV tests after counseling.

"Additional tests are given to those with symptoms of malaria (free Malaria parasite RDT), peptic ulcer disease (free H.Pyloritests); other tests done include fasting or random blood sugar, Hepatitis B screening tests after counseling. "Patients are treated as general outpatients as seen in a primary health care sector and asked for follow up tests from a diagnostic laboratory.

Basic cases are managed in the clinic set-up while others are referred to asecondary health care centrei.e. Adeoyo General Hospital and others who need specialist care to University College Hospital Ibadan. In case of strike actions and emergency care, we have reputable private hospitals in our vicinity."

"With INVIVO, the social problems being addressed are a lack of easy access to primary healthcare; the menace of counterfeit and fake drugs; self medication; and lack of early diagnosis of potentially fatal disease conditions.

Three locations have been opened - Leisure Mall on Adeniran Ogunsanya Road ,Lagos; Ceddi Plaza Mall, Abuja and Palms Shopping Mall, Ring Road,Ibadan; with two more currently in the pipeline. "In addition, preventive and health promotion services and awareness of screening tests are available for each age group and sex. I.e. increase in those going for cervical PAP smear screening test and Mammography as well as prostrate screening amongst our patients", Alhaji Gobir said.