Lambo told a stakeholders’ workshop on the Health Sector Reform Programme, yesterday, in Bauchi, that he was editing the draft and that "it will be sent to FEC in a few weeks".

However, a top pharmacist has strongly criticised the proposed law as unworkable, pointing out that the lack of adequate number of drug prescribers nationwide will torpedo it.

The bill, when passed into law, would serve "to sanitise chaotic health practices in the country", Lambo promised.

Lambo said the law would also ensure that the HSRP was fully implemented and sustained.

Responding to a question on NAFDAC’s new regulation on the prescription of drugs, he said he had noticed unhealthy rivalry among health professionals.

The minister stressed the need for all health professionals to work as a team, noting that "those at the receiving end of such rivalry are sick people who need treatment".

Earlier, the North East zonal officer of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria. Mr. Peter Iliya, had said the new policy would not work out as expected, because there were a few qualified drug prescribers in the country.