A university don, Professor Ogbonna Okorie, has stated that pharmacists across Nigeria must urgently reposition themselves as leaders in digital health transformation and pharmaceutical innovation if the country is to overcome widening healthcare gaps and meet emerging medical challenges.

Okorie, a professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, gave the charge, while delivering a keynote address titled “ Pharmacy: Leading the Charge in Digital Health and Pharmaceutical Innovation” at the 17th oath-taking and induction ceremony of pharmacy graduands at Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State.

According to him, healthcare globally is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technology, and Pharmacy must take a central leadership role in shaping how medicines are developed, delivered and monitored.

The former dean of the faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt noted that the evolving healthcare landscape presents an opportunity for pharmacists to move beyond traditional dispensing roles into clinical decision-making, research, public health advocacy and digital health leadership.

“Healthcare is changing faster than ever before. This is not a challenge, it is an opportunity,” Okorie said, stressing that Nigeria’s healthcare gaps demand innovative and technology-driven pharmaceutical practice.

He identified digital health as a major force reshaping pharmacy practice, highlighting innovations such as electronic health records, electronic prescribing, telepharmacy services and mobile health applications that improve medication safety, patient monitoring and continuity of care.

The keynote speaker explained that clinical support systems now help pharmacists detect drug interactions, contraindications and appropriate dosing adjustments, thereby reducing medication errors and improving therapeutic outcomes.

According to the don, artificial intelligence is increasingly supporting prescription safety, analysing patient data, predicting adverse drug reactions and accelerating drug discovery, while wearable health technologies allow real-time monitoring of vital signs, including heart rate and blood glucose levels.

Other emerging tools transforming pharmaceutical services, according to him, include digital therapeutics, pharmacovigilance databases, health information exchange platforms, blockchain technology for securing drug supply chains and combating counterfeit medicines, as well as big data analytics for tracking disease trends and guiding health policy decisions.

The professor also highlighted advances that are redefining pharmaceutical innovation globally, including biotechnology-derived medicines, mRNA vaccine technology, pharmacogenomics, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and targeted cancer therapies.

He said precision medicine is now enabling treatments tailored to patients’ genetic and molecular profiles, underscoring the need for pharmacists to develop competencies that align with scientific and technological progress.

Drawing attention to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical workforce deficit, Okorie noted that a population exceeding 220 million people is served by fewer than 30,000 registered pharmacists.

He disclosed that the current ratio is approximately one pharmacist to between 7,000 and 8,000 people. He lamented that this current ratio falls far below recommended standards, leaving many rural and semi-urban communities without adequate pharmaceutical care.

“These statistics tell us clearly that Nigeria needs innovative pharmacists, not just dispensers of medicines,” he stated.

The don emphasised that modern pharmacists must function as clinical experts, innovators and healthcare collaborators capable of ensuring safe, rational and cost-effective medicine use amid rising healthcare costs and complex disease burdens.

He explained that electronic prescribing systems help reduce medication errors, telepharmacy expands access to underserved populations, and mobile health technologies strengthen adherence monitoring and pharmacovigilance efforts, adding that artificial intelligence and big data analytics are increasingly supporting drug utilisation reviews and evidence-based practice across healthcare systems.

While calling for a shift in mindset across the profession, Okorie urged pharmacists to embrace innovation with responsibility while maintaining compassion and patient-centred care.

“Be a pharmacist who leads, who innovates and who serves with excellence. If this is not done, others will take your position and lead,” Okorie warned.

He emphasised that the future of healthcare will be digital, collaborative and innovation-driven, stressing that pharmacy must remain at the forefront of that transformation.

An Independent Global Health Expert, Dr Ebere Okereke has urged African Governments to treat health spending as a strategic economic investment rather than a social cost or burden.

Okereke, also an associate Fellow of Chatham House, told newsmen on Sunday that governments must rethink how health financing was presented during national budgets and policy discussions.

According to her, health is often framed primarily in humanitarian or social terms, making it more vulnerable to cuts when governments face competing fiscal pressures.

“Governments need to change how they make the case for health in budget and policy discussions.

“Instead of presenting health mainly in terms of need, they should present it in terms of economic return, labour productivity, resilience and the cost of inaction.”

She said underinvestment in primary care, prevention and health system preparedness often led to greater long-term costs through disease outbreaks, loss of workforce productivity, household impoverishment and expensive emergency responses.

She noted that reframing health financing as part of economic policy could make it easier for governments to prioritise the sector even during periods of fiscal constraint.

The expert also stressed that health financing discussions must extend beyond ministries of health.

“Health financing should not remain only a Ministry of Health issue,” she said.

She explained that ministries of finance, planning, labour and heads of government must recognise the strong link between health systems and national economic performance.

“When health is linked to workforce participation, human capital, fiscal risk and social stability, it becomes easier to defend in tight budgets and harder to treat as a discretionary social cost,” she said.

In spite of decades of commitments to strengthen health systems across Africa, Okereke said the core challenge often lies not in resource availability but in governance and implementation.

“The first reform is to move from allocation to execution.

“In many countries, money is approved for health but is not spent well, or sometimes not spent at all,” she said.

She said improving budget execution, strengthening procurement transparency and reinforcing public financial management systems were essential for translating allocations into real improvements in health services.

According to her, accountability mechanisms must also involve institutions beyond the executive arm of government.

“This is not only a technical problem; it is also a political one.

“The issue is often not knowledge, but weak incentives and limited accountability and that is why parliaments, audit institutions, civil society and the private sector also matter.”

With global development assistance for health becoming increasingly uncertain, she said African governments should prioritise domestic financing mechanisms that are already known and feasible.

She identified health levies, excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks, as well as insurance pooling arrangements, as potential sources of sustainable funding for health systems.

“Health levies, excise taxes, insurance pooling arrangements and other ring-fenced instruments can all play a role,” she said.

She added that debt-for-health swaps could also be useful in certain contexts, although their complexity makes them less likely to serve as a broad financing solution across the continent.

“The issue is not a lack of financing ideas.

“Proven mechanisms already exist, but they are unevenly governed, inconsistently scaled and insufficiently embedded in national systems,” she said.

She emphasised that strong governance structures were essential for these financing instruments to succeed.

“These instruments work only when they have a clear legal basis, transparent reporting, independent oversight and protection against diversion and inflation erosion,” she said.

She further noted that improving the use of funds already approved in national budgets could provide one of the fastest ways to strengthen health financing.

“In the current context of tight fiscal space, high debt servicing and declining external assistance, improving budget execution may be one of the fastest and most practical ways to strengthen health financing,” she said.

On the role of data in policy decisions, Okereke said governments must ensure that evidence is not only generated but also used effectively in budgeting and planning processes.

“Governments need to make evidence usable, not just available,” she said.

She recommended that countries begin by realistically costing a defined package of essential health services and using that information to guide budget decisions.

She also called for stronger integration between routine health data, National Health Accounts, private-sector service data and fiscal planning.

“Reforms become more credible when they are based on country-owned evidence, realistic assumptions and clear priorities rather than aspirational plans or external preferences,” she said.

(NAN)

Professionals in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sales and marketing sector will gather for an industry-focused webinar aimed at examining how the country’s evolving fiscal and economic policies are shaping business performance within the sector.

The event, organised by the Society for Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing of Nigeria (SPSMN), is titled “Tax, Profit and Performance: Navigating Nigeria’s New Fiscal Landscape for Pharma Sales and Marketing Professionals.” It is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 18 March, 2026, at 11:00 a.m, with the link to join here.

According to the organisers, the webinar forms part of SPSMN’s 2026 Economic and Business Environment Review, an initiative designed to help professionals in the pharmaceutical industry better understand economic trends and policy developments affecting their work.

The session is expected to bring together pharmaceutical executives, tax experts, business leaders and industry stakeholders to discuss the implications of Nigeria’s changing fiscal policies for pharmaceutical business operations, sales performance and profitability.

Industry analysts note that the pharmaceutical sector operates within a complex regulatory and economic environment where fiscal decisions can significantly influence drug pricing, distribution margins, marketing strategies and sales force incentives. Recent economic adjustments and tax policy considerations, observers say, are increasingly shaping how pharmaceutical companies plan their commercial strategies.

The webinar will feature Mr Peter Nwofia, partner and regulatory services lead at a leading tax advisory firm, who will deliver expert insights on the implications of Nigeria’s evolving tax framework for pharmaceutical companies and professionals working in sales and marketing.

Other notable participants include Sir Johnny Ojeaga, FCA, executive partner at Angeluscapital Partners, who will attend as Guest of Honour, and Mr Ade Adebanjo, executive officer of Leotetra Healthcare Limited, who will serve as Special Guest of Honour.

Chairing the session will be HRH Bamidele Obaitan, the Okuodu III and Oloso of Ososo Kingdom in Edo State, who also serves as a United Nations Eminent Peace Ambassador.

Speaking ahead of the webinar, the President of SPSMN, Pharm. Tunde Oyeniran, emphasised the importance of equipping pharmaceutical sales and marketing professionals with the knowledge required to navigate Nigeria’s changing economic environment.

According to him, understanding fiscal policy is increasingly becoming a strategic competency for professionals responsible for driving business growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

The webinar is expected to attract pharmaceutical sales representatives, marketing managers, business executives, healthcare entrepreneurs and other stakeholders interested in understanding the relationship between fiscal policy and pharmaceutical business performance.

Participants are expected to gain insights into how Nigeria’s fiscal policies influence pharmaceutical sales strategies, the relationship between taxation, pricing and product profitability, as well as the implications of economic policy changes for sales incentives and business performance.

The Society for Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing of Nigeria has remained committed to advancing professional excellence in pharmaceutical sales and marketing practice in Nigeria, providing a platform for professional development, industry dialogue and the promotion of ethical and effective marketing practices within the sector.

– As Stephanie Nnajiofor emerges overall best graduating student

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has inducted 117 pharmacy graduands of Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, formally admitting them into the pharmacy profession and urging them to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.

At the university’s 17th oath-taking and induction ceremony for the 2024/2025 graduating class, the Council charged the new pharmacists to embrace continuous professional development, demonstrate integrity in practice and prepare for expanding roles within Nigeria’s evolving healthcare system.

The Registrar of the PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, described the induction ceremony as the completion of only the first phase of professional training. He explained that newly inducted pharmacists must undertake a compulsory one-year internship and subsequently pass the Pre-Registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP) before they can be fully licensed to practise.

“As you take the oath today and become inducted members of the pharmacy profession, I urge you to maintain high ethical standards and leadership qualities, and to endeavour to be worthy professionals committed to excellence in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services,” Ahmed said.

He stressed that the internship year is primarily a structured training period designed to prepare graduates for professional responsibilities, cautioning that missed learning opportunities during this phase may not be recoverable.

“It is instructive to note that the internship period is primarily a training period and a time of preparation for future opportunities,” the registrar added.

Ahmed urged the graduands to comply strictly with the Code of Professional Ethics, noting that pharmacists owe professional and moral responsibilities not only to patients, but also to colleagues, employers and the wider public.

He warned that the Council would not tolerate misconduct, stating that investigative panels and disciplinary tribunals established under the PCN Act are empowered to address professional infractions.

“The Council frowns at professional misconduct in its entirety. Kindly note that the PCN Act provides for the establishment of an Investigative Panel as well as a Disciplinary Tribunal as mechanisms for handling issues of professional misconduct,” he said.

He specifically cautioned the graduands against what he termed the “register-and-go syndrome”, describing it as a practice capable of bringing the profession into disrepute. He further advised them to avoid dishonesty throughout their careers and to uphold integrity as frontline healthcare professionals.

Noting that healthcare practice is undergoing rapid transformation, the registrar urged the graduands to continually update their knowledge through lifelong learning and active participation in the Council’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.

According to him, continuous education strengthens critical thinking, leadership capacity, decision-making and inter-professional collaboration, while ensuring that pharmacists remain relevant amid technological advancement, rising disease burdens, adverse drug reactions and antimicrobial resistance.

He added that the CPD programme aligns with global best practices and international health directives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery.

Ahmed also encouraged the graduands to position themselves for broader responsibilities, particularly in vaccine storage and administration, research, and public health emergency response.

He observed that pharmacists play crucial roles during outbreaks and health crises such as COVID-19 and other epidemics, stressing that their professional interventions significantly support national emergency response efforts.

The registrar further urged the graduates to explore diverse career opportunities within Pharmacy, including industry, community practice, hospitals, academia, administration, information technology, journalism and governance.

In his address, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Arnold Chukwudum Igboasoiyi, said the 117 graduands had been adequately trained to meet global standards and to contribute meaningfully to healthcare delivery.

He described the induction as a significant professional milestone, noting that graduates cannot advance in their careers without formal admission into the profession and entry into the provisional register of pharmacists.

Igboasoiyi added that the faculty remains committed to producing patient-centred pharmacists while expanding postgraduate training across several pharmaceutical disciplines.

In his keynote address, the former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt,Professor Ogbonna Okorie, challenged the graduands, stating that the future of healthcare depends largely on their vision, competence and ethical grounding.

Speaking on the theme, “Pharmacy: Leading the Charge in Digital Health and Pharmaceutical Innovation,” he described the present era as a defining moment for healthcare, noting that technology is rapidly reshaping how medicines are developed, delivered and monitored.

Addressing the inductees directly, the keynote speaker described their admission into the profession as a declaration of purpose rather than merely an academic milestone. He urged them to approach digital health with intellectual curiosity while sustaining compassion and professional responsibility in practice.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of awards to Stephanie Nmasichukwu Nnajiofor, who recorded a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.55 to emerge as overall best graduating student, alongside other outstanding members of the graduating class.

Continued engagement with Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and other state institutions is beginning to expand access to cancer care, says Maturin Tchoumi, a Senior Roche Executive.

However, according to him, late diagnosis and low breast cancer awareness are still costing lives.

Tchoumi, who leads Roche’s pharmaceutical business in Africa, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, on the sidelines of the Africa Press Day 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, with the theme “Health is Wealth’’.

He noted that closer collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NHIA was already translating into more women receiving breast cancer treatment under public schemes.

“This is so that breast cancer is detected earlier, because when breast cancer is detected earlier, the outcome of treatment is better.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the case today, in Africa as a whole, seven out of 10 women show up when it’s too late.

“In Europe, for example, if actually eight women show up early, the survival after five years is nine women in 10 who are still alive.

“In Africa, because seven out of 10 women show up too late, only five out of 10 are still alive five years after that.

“So for me, there is a call to action. Breast Cancer Awareness doesn’t stop on the 30th of Oct., Breast Cancer Awareness should be every day, each woman should every month, be checking her breast status,’’ he told NAN.

In Nigeria, he highlighted that through the Cancer Fund, over 300 women have been treated.

“Today, with the Cancer Fund and shift to national health insurance, we’re treating almost 800 women. To me, that’s real impact.”

Using that sample alone, he said, the partnership with the government had “more than double the number of women who have received the appropriate treatment in breast cancer.”

Speaking further on NHIA engagement and new investments, he noted that the policy direction was clear.

“Today, in Nigeria, the Minister of Health is working very closely with the NHIA to make sure that the government covers most Nigerians for cancer treatment.

“I can and have been part of this conversation to make sure it’s happened,” he said.

He pointed to a deal involving international financiers as part of efforts to extend services beyond the main cities.

“You can already see that earlier this year, the IFC signed an agreement with the sovereign fund to build a Cancer Centre in areas that are not Lagos or Abuja.

“This is in line with the strategy to ensure that cancer coverage is accessible and free for most Nigerians.

“How do we make sure that even those who can afford it but who are travelling to India get it in Nigeria?

“And today, we have everything in Nigeria to give the same care that people are getting in India or Turkey.

“We have a centre in LUTH, which is called Med Serve, and other ones.

“What we need to do more of is to help patients know that those centres exist. We need to help more patients go for their early detection, navigate them through those centres”.

He stressed the importance of ongoing breast cancer awareness and early detection, noting that in spite of increased coverage, outcomes in Africa are worse than in Europe because most women are diagnosed at an advanced stage.

NAN reports that the company along with its partners has been dedicated to rewriting the story of breast cancer in Nigeria through the Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA).

It estimated that the direct and indirect costs of breast cancer across 10 African countries, including Nigeria, were approximately $33 billion from 2017 to 2032.

ABCA seeks to boost women’s survival chances by improving breast cancer care, targeting a jump from 30 or 40 per cent early diagnoses to 60 per cent. (NAN)

– As Baale, Ojo, Oyawole insist health must be treated as national investment

Leading pharmaceutical and healthcare stakeholders have expressed concern over the Federal Government’s proposed ₦2.48 trillion allocation to the health sector in the 2026 national budget, warning that although the figure appears substantial in nominal terms, it remains insufficient when weighed against the country’s population size, disease burden and development aspirations.

President Tinubu presented the 2026 national budget of ₦58.47 trillion to a joint session of the National Assembly on 19 December 2025. Of the total proposal, ₦2.48 trillion – approximately 4.2 per cent – was allocated to the health sector. Findings by Pharmanews indicate that this allocation falls significantly short of the 15 per cent benchmark agreed upon by African leaders more than two decades ago under the Abuja Declaration.

Speaking separately with Pharmanews, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prof. Lere Baale; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Merit Healthcare Limited, Dr Lolu Ojo; and a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Anthony Oyawole, described the allocation as one that warrants deeper national reflection.

They cautioned that inadequate and poorly utilised funding may continue to constrain meaningful transformation of the healthcare system unless implemented strategically across all tiers of government.

Prof. Baale emphasised that health expenditure should not be regarded as consumption spending but as productivity infrastructure essential to economic growth, human capital development and national security. He stressed that Nigeria’s allocation remains well below the 15 per cent target contained in the Abuja Declaration of 2001, to which the country is a signatory.

“Health is not consumption expenditure; it is productivity infrastructure. Any nation that underinvests in health ultimately underinvests in its economic growth, human capital and national security,” he said.

“At roughly 4 per cent, Nigeria’s federal health allocation remains significantly below the 15 per cent benchmark articulated in the Abuja Declaration of 2001. While fiscal realities differ today from 2001, the strategic principle remains valid: a country of over 200 million people cannot sustainably allocate single-digit percentages to health and expect optimal outcomes.”

According to him, the critical question is not whether ₦2.48 trillion appears large, but whether it is sufficient when measured against rapid population growth, rising epidemiological pressures, inflation in global medical supply chains, worsening workforce attrition driven by brain drain, deteriorating infrastructure and heavy reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.

The NAPharm president noted that percentage allocation alone does not tell the full story. He warned that if most funding is absorbed by salaries and overheads without significant capital investment in infrastructure, diagnostics, digital health systems and pharmaceutical manufacturing, the sector will achieve only limited multiplier effects.

He further argued that Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported finished medicines and near-total dependence on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) constitute a strategic vulnerability in an increasingly unstable global supply environment, insisting that medical security must be treated as national security.

Baale therefore called for deliberate investment in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, incentives for domestic API production, expansion of health insurance coverage, stronger drug regulatory enforcement, coordinated wholesale centres and structured medicine supply chains. He added that strengthening primary healthcare and preventive services remains the most sustainable pathway to building a resilient health system.

He noted that functional primary healthcare centres, rural service delivery, workforce retention, maternal and child health programmes and efficient vaccination logistics would reduce pressure on tertiary institutions and lower long-term healthcare costs.

“The foundation of a resilient health system is primary healthcare. Investment must prioritise functional primary healthcare centres, rural healthcare delivery, workforce retention strategies, maternal and child health, as well as vaccination logistics. If we strengthen primary care, we reduce tertiary overload and long-term costs,” he said.

Linking health directly to economic performance, Baale stated that a healthy population increases productivity, reduces absenteeism, lowers catastrophic household expenditure and enhances investor confidence. He argued that health spending should be viewed as human capital investment, an economic stabilisation policy and a poverty-reduction mechanism.

“The 4 per cent allocation reflects fiscal constraints, but it does not yet reflect strategic ambition. Nigeria must progressively increase health allocation over the next three to five years towards a higher threshold, while ensuring transparent tracking of expenditure, performance-based funding, strong procurement governance, public–private partnerships and outcome measurement. Increasing allocation without improving efficiency will not solve the problem. But maintaining low allocation while expecting global-standard outcomes is unrealistic,” he said.

As part of the way forward, the NAPharm helmsman recommended a phased roadmap to increase health spending as a percentage of the total budget; ring-fenced funding for pharmaceutical manufacturing and medicine security; a dedicated capital investment window for health infrastructure modernisation; stronger digital health integration for accountability; and incentives for diaspora medical professionals to return or collaborate remotely.

“₦2.48 trillion is significant in nominal terms, but 4 per cent of the national budget falls short of the scale of Nigeria’s health challenges and development aspirations. If Nigeria is serious about human capital development, healthcare must move from the margins of the budget to the centre of national strategy. A nation’s health determines its wealth,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Ojo described the allocation as one that calls for careful and dispassionate reflection, noting that sound budget evaluation should focus on proportion, priority and impact rather than absolute figures.

“Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million, faces a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, rising healthcare costs, persistent medical brain drain, fragile primary healthcare systems and growing dependence on imported pharmaceuticals. In this context, a 4 per cent allocation raises an important policy question: is health being treated as a strategic investment in national development or merely as a recurrent social obligation?” he asked.

He warned that persistent underfunding pushes households into catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure, fuels preventable diseases, weakens workforce productivity, increases medical tourism and accelerates migration of skilled professionals. Conversely, adequate and strategically managed financing could strengthen preventive care, expand insurance coverage, stimulate local pharmaceutical manufacturing, create employment across the healthcare value chain and improve national preparedness.

Ojo stressed, however, that allocation size alone does not determine outcomes, identifying governance and utilisation as immediate challenges. He cited delayed budget releases, low capital implementation rates, procurement inefficiencies, fragmentation across agencies, weak monitoring systems and abandoned projects as factors that have historically diluted the impact of health spending.

“Allocation sets the ceiling of possibility; utilisation determines the reality of impact. Nigeria must improve both. However, improving utilisation is the fastest pathway to restoring public confidence while building a credible case for progressive increases in health-sector funding. The 2026 allocation should not end the conversation. It should begin a deliberate national dialogue on positioning health as a central pillar of economic growth, industrial development and human capital advancement,” he said.

Also commenting on the 2026 health budget, Pharm. Oyawole said the 4 per cent allocation falls short of what is required, given Nigeria’s population of over 200 million, high infant mortality rates, weak purchasing power and limited insurance coverage that leaves most citizens paying for healthcare out of pocket.

While acknowledging competing national priorities such as security and education, he maintained that the government must improve its commitment to health financing.

He noted that responsibility for health funding does not rest solely with the Federal Government, as health falls under the concurrent legislative list and therefore requires stronger commitment from states and local governments.

“States should commit between 10 and 15 per cent of their budgets to health, while local governments, which bear primary responsibility for primary healthcare services, should allocate between 20 and 25 per cent to the sector,” he said.

He stressed that budgeting alone is insufficient unless funds are released and utilised for their intended purposes, urging authorities at all levels to ensure that allocations translate into tangible services. He also called on health managers across primary, secondary and tertiary levels to maximise available resources so that measurable improvements can justify higher investments in subsequent years.

Oyawole added that health outcomes are closely linked to education, particularly in the training and retention of healthcare professionals.

The Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) has warned of a looming crisis in pharmacy education in Nigeria, citing infrastructure deficits, manpower shortages and challenging working conditions as major threats to the sustainability of the profession.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pharmanews recently, the National Chairperson of the association, Professor Catherine Stanley, described academic pharmacists as the foundation upon which the entire pharmacy profession is built, noting that their core responsibilities include teaching, conducting research and training the next generation of pharmacists.

According to her, every practising pharmacist is first shaped within the academic system, making the health of pharmacy education critical to the survival and advancement of the profession. She cautioned that weakening academia would inevitably affect all other sectors of pharmacy practice.

The NAPA leader noted that many faculties of pharmacy across the country operate under significant constraints, including limited research funding and inadequate laboratory facilities.

She observed that in some institutions, available infrastructure does not sufficiently support advanced research or provide students with exposure to modern equipment and digital tools required in contemporary pharmaceutical practice.

Despite these challenges, she maintained that Nigerian pharmacy graduates continue to excel internationally. She pointed out that many former students now practising in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are performing exceptionally well, attributing their success to the dedication and resilience of academic pharmacists at home.

On collaboration between academia and industry, she stressed the need for stronger engagement to ensure that training aligns with evolving professional demands. She said improved communication between universities and industry stakeholders would help bridge gaps between classroom instruction and practical expectations in the workplace.

Stanley also expressed concern over staffing shortages in several pharmacy faculties, noting that in many departments senior academics are nearing retirement without adequate recruitment of younger lecturers to replace them. She warned that failure to address succession planning could create significant gaps in teaching capacity and research continuity.

While acknowledging the commitment of many academic pharmacists who remain devoted to mentorship and professional development, she emphasised the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, research support and improved working conditions to attract and retain young pharmacists in academia.

She maintained that strengthening pharmacy education is essential not only for the profession but also for national healthcare development, urging stakeholders to prioritise policies that will secure the future of academic pharmacy in Nigeria.

A health communication scholar, Faridah Abraham of Kansas State University, has urged Nigeria to prioritise women’s access to accurate, culturally relevant maternal health information to reduce persistently high maternal deaths nationwide.

Abraham made the call in Abuja, marking International Women’s Day 2026, warning that Nigeria loses about 82,000 women each year to pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications nationwide.

She said the figure among the highest globally showed need to expand maternal health investments beyond hospitals and equipment to ensure women families received timely reliable information before complications become fatal.

According to her major causes of maternal deaths including haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, infections and obstructed labour are largely preventable when women recognise warning signs early and seek prompt medical care quickly.

“National evidence shows that fewer than half of Nigerian women can identify at least three danger signs during pregnancy indicating a gap between available medical solutions and public awareness,” she said.

Abraham said closing the information gap was central to achieving the 2026 International Women’s Day theme Invest in Women Accelerate Progress and improving maternal survival nationwide through informed families and communities.

She highlighted a research based model called Faridah’s Norms Ecology Framework which examined how social norms, community beliefs and misperceptions shape decisions about seeking maternal healthcare in many communities across Nigeria.

According to Abraham the framework integrates descriptive injunctive and collective norms alongside normative misperceptions to explain how families interpret community expectations and decide whether when and where to seek maternal care.

She explained that in parts of Northern Nigeria, decisions about seeking care are often influenced by perceptions of others’ behaviors, religious expectations, and long-standing community beliefs regarding pregnancy and childbirth outcomes.

“These perceptions may not always reflect reality yet they strongly influence decisions sometimes leading families to dangerous delays in seeking lifesaving medical care during pregnancy or childbirth emergencies across many communities.

“When women survive pregnancy and childbirth labour participation increases, families remain stable and communities become more productive economically households strengthen children thrive and local economies grow faster.

“Ultimately no health facility can save a woman who does not know she is in danger and clinician can intervene if families delay seeking help because of misperceived norms,” she said.

(NAN)

Taiwo Ireoluwamide Oni has etched her name in history as the overall best graduating student of the University of Ibadan’s inaugural Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) class, earning an exceptional Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.93 out of 4.00.

The pioneer cohort of 88 graduands of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences celebrated their induction into the pharmacy profession in a ceremony that blended academic rigor, tradition, and inspiring personal stories.

A product of Bodija International School and Bodija International College, Oni’s brilliance has been a constant throughout her life. “She has always excelled, from primary to secondary school, and now at the university level,” said her father, Prof Omobowale Ayoola Oni of UI’s Department of Agricultural Economics.

He continued, “She consistently strives to achieve her best wherever she finds herself. My wife and I are very proud of her.” Oni is a twin, and her sister is set to be inducted into Veterinary Medicine later this month, highlighting a family culture of excellence.

In her valedictory speech, Oni reflected on a journey defined by perseverance, discipline, and faith. She recalled starting as 89 students and graduating as 88 after navigating personal challenges, school transfers, and a global pandemic. “Excellence has been a foundation in my life. University success was built on years of consistent effort,” she said.

Oni attributed her achievement to faith in God, the guidance of mentors and lecturers, and the support of her family and friends. She emphasised making excellence a habit in all aspects of life, from studies to daily routines, and maintaining consistent reading and preparation throughout the semester.

The ceremony also celebrated 25 other students who graduated with distinction and were inducted into the Dean’s Honour List. Among them were Grace Emenike (3.84), Olabimpe Oke (3.83), Onikepo Ojo (3.76), Chisom Okolie (3.74), Dolapo Atoyebi (3.73), Idris Adeniran (3.71), Ebunoluwa Oluwayomi (3.71), Ibukun Olasinde (3.70), Abel Atayi (3.68), Oluwapelumi Oyewusi (3.63), Victoria Adeniji (3.61), Ayomide Onilude (3.59), Zainab Salawudeen (3.59), Precious Iroko (3.58), Tofunmi Temitope (3.58), Flourish Ohia (3.57), Assumpta Nwakile (3.57), Deborah Obatoke (3.57), Majeed Adebayo (3.55), Fiyinfoluwa Ogundipe (3.55), Aunuoluwapo Afolabi (3.54), Ebunoluwa Tunde-Oguntade (3.54), Tolulope Ayoade (3.53), Hanifat Ande (3.51), and Azeez Adiatu (3.50).

Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, congratulated Oni and her peers, stressing the importance of ethical practice, discipline, and completion of the one-year internship in accredited centres.

Professor Michael Odeniyi, dean of the Faculty, hailed the graduates as trailblazers equipped for patient-centred care, as the keynote speaker Prof. Olufunsho Awodele, Secretary General of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, highlighted the need for pharmacists to embrace collaboration and technological innovation in modern healthcare.

Distinguished academics, including Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, former vice-chancellor of UI under whose administration the PharmD programme commenced, Professor Chinedum Babalola, immediate past vice-chancellor of Chrisland University, and former deans Prof Oluwatoyin Odeku and Prof Titi Fakeye, were present to witness this historic moment.

The ongoing conflict in Iran has sparked reactions from governments and international organisations across several continents, with growing concern over its humanitarian and public health implications.

Notable among the warnings is that of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which says the escalation is already affecting health systems in the region.

According to the WHO, at least 13 attacks on healthcare infrastructure in Iran have been confirmed since the conflict intensified. The violence has also resulted in multiple injuries and deaths, further straining medical services and emergency response efforts.

The Director-General of WHO, Dr  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a press conference, expressed concern about the expansion of the conflict and its possible impact on public health across the Middle East.

He warned that continued hostilities could endanger health systems and the lives of civilians both within the region and beyond.

“The conflict is also causing significant displacement. So far, an estimated 100,000 people have left Tehran, and in Lebanon more than 60,000 people have been displaced. At least one million people may be on the move following evacuation orders in the south,” he said.

He added that WHO is working closely with their offices in the affected countries to monitor the impact on the delivery of health services, and provide support when needed and requested, but the impact still has a strain as Operations at WHO’s Logistics Hub for Global Health Emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity

The WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Hanan Balkhy, also highlighted the growing strain on health systems and medical supply chains in the region. “The situation across the Eastern Mediterranean is escalating rapidly, with serious consequences for civilians and health systems,” she said.

She emphasised that attacks on healthcare facilities remain a major concern. According to her, evacuation orders and ongoing violence have forced the closure of 43 primary healthcare centres and two hospitals, while first responders and paramedics have also been killed or injured in the line of duty.

Balkhy stated that the WHO has begun pre-positioning trauma supplies and essential medicines across the region and is supporting countries in maintaining critical public health functions. However, emergency operations continue to face a funding gap of nearly 70 per cent. She also added that without urgent financial support essential services could be disrupted, worsening humanitarian conditions and increasing preventable suffering.

She ended by saying WHO will continue to monitor the situation for mass casualty needs, disruptions to essential public health services, and the health needs for people who have been displaced, and work with countries and health partners to minimize these as quickly as possible, as lives depend on it.

• To Strengthen African Voice in Global Health

Bloom Public Health on  5 March 2026, officially launched its Geneva presence at the Global Health Campus, bringing together partners, policymakers and global health leaders to discuss the evolving role of African-led institutions in shaping the future of global health.

The event gathered representatives from leading global health organisations, industry associations, diplomatic missions and academic institutions, highlighting the growing recognition of Africa’s role in global health governance and policy dialogue. The launch event was hosted by the Stop TB Partnership and moderated by Arinze Awiligwe, who welcomed participants and guided discussions throughout the evening.

Attendees included representatives from several global health organisations such as the Medicines Patent Pool, FIND, Concept Foundation, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, the World Health Organisation, the Global Surgery Foundation, Empower School of Health and the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva. Diplomatic representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia were also present, alongside other partners from the broader global health ecosystem.

In her welcome remarks, Dr  Lucica Ditiu welcomed guests to the Global Health Campus and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to host the launch. Reflecting on the global fight against tuberculosis, she noted that Africa continues to bear a disproportionate share of the global TB burden.

She stressed the need for stronger collaboration, innovation and locally grounded leadership to address persistent health challenges across the continent. According to her, organisations rooted in regions most affected by global health threats have an important role to play in advancing sustainable solutions.

Dr Ditiu also emphasised that empowering locally driven institutions and leveraging African expertise could accelerate progress toward equitable health outcomes while strengthening the global response to infectious diseases. Her remarks set the tone for the evening’s discussions, which centred on partnership, ownership and sustainable impact in global health initiatives.

Bloom Public Health’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Professor Chimezie Anyakora, who outlined the organisation’s strategic vision and its expanding role within the global health landscape, delivered the keynote presentation of the evening. Professor Anyakora highlighted Bloom Public Health’s mission to strengthen public health systems across Africa through research, policy engagement, capacity development and innovative programme implementation.

He noted that the organisation currently operates across eight African countries, where it supports initiatives in health systems strengthening, pharmaceutical systems development and public health workforce capacity building.

Drawing from several past initiatives, Professor Anyakora explained how Bloom Public Health has contributed to strengthening regulatory systems, improving access to quality medicines and supporting evidence-based health policies across different African settings. He said the decision to establish a presence in Geneva reflects the organisation’s strategic commitment to deepen collaboration with global health institutions headquartered in the city.

According to him, Geneva’s concentration of multilateral organisations and international health partnerships provides a unique platform for connecting field-based implementation experience with global policy discussions. He added that Bloom Public Health intends to ensure that African expertise and perspectives play a stronger role in shaping global health priorities and solutions.

Following the presentation, participants engaged in a dialogue session that allowed attendees to reflect on the organisation’s vision and the broader implications of African-led initiatives in global health. The exchange was described as lively and constructive, with participants sharing insights on the importance of strengthening collaboration between local implementers and international partners.

Several contributors noted that sustainable progress in global health increasingly depends on partnerships that integrate local knowledge with global policy and research expertise. Participants also highlighted the importance of organisations like Bloom Public Health that serve as bridges between on-the-ground programme implementation and international policy dialogue. The discussions reinforced the view that new models of partnership will be necessary to address complex health challenges and translate innovation into measurable impact for communities.

Closing the event, Anthony Pilorget thanked participants for their engagement and encouraged partners across Geneva’s global health community to explore opportunities for collaboration with Bloom Public Health. He emphasised that the organisation remains open to joint initiatives, research partnerships and programme collaborations with institutions and stakeholders working to improve global health outcomes.

The launch of Bloom Public Health’s Geneva presence is seen as an important step toward strengthening connections between African public health expertise and the global institutions shaping health policy and innovation. Observers at the event noted that as global health challenges become increasingly complex, partnerships that bridge regions, institutions and disciplines will be essential for delivering sustainable solutions.

Bloom Public Health’s presence in Geneva is expected to contribute to this collaborative effort while ensuring that policy discussions remain informed by the realities and priorities of communities across Africa. The evening concluded with informal networking over cocktails, allowing participants to continue discussions, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, Dr Salma Anas, has pledged her support to the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) in its efforts to raise awareness and combat cancer in Nigeria.

Anas made the commitment at the 2026 International HPV Awareness Day (IHAD) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event, organised by the IPVS Nigeria Chapter, had the theme, “Transdisciplinary Papillomavirus Research in Nigeria: Setting up an Agenda”.

Represented at the event by Dr Ahmed Baba, Anas said the occasion was one close to her heart.

“Health is strategic. It is now a human development sector. So we can’t be talking about health away from national development. And so because of that, the commemoration of this day becomes very important,” she said.

She also highlighted the global theme of the event, “One Less Worry,” emphasising its collaborative approach.

“It is everybody’s problem. It is no more about interdisciplinary or myself, it has to be transdisciplinary. And so from the office, we’re supporting this and we’re going to be partners with this,” Anas declared.

Also speaking at the event, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, president-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control, stressed the public health burden of HPV.

“HPV causes different types of cancers. It is an infectious disease that can affect both male and female individuals and can lead to cervical, penile, or anal cancer,” she said.

Shinkafi-Bagudu, who is also the founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, underscored the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure.

“There is a vaccine against this virus, and by using it at the right time, it is possible to prevent the infection from developing further,” she said.

Shinkafi-Bagudu noted that although Nigeria recently introduced the HPV vaccine, reaching 16 million girls, more work remains to cover the country’s population of over 60 million girls.

“We have to look at other ways to educate the community. Religious leaders are among the main groups working with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, which is primarily responsible for rolling out vaccines,” she said.

Highlighting challenges beyond funding, she noted the need for education and training: “We still have a lot of misinformation, even from health workers.

“There’s a need for more training, awareness programmes, sensitisation, and capacity building to ensure the message reaches grassroots communities and those who doubt the vaccine’s effectiveness”.

She also referenced successful cervical cancer elimination in other countries through timely vaccination, adding that while funding is important, awareness is paramount.

“Education is a more critical factor. We need to recognise that, despite putting money into our health system, it remains weak and fragmented because even the people in charge are not adequately trained or do not understand the systems,” Shinkafi-Bagudu explained.

Recalling her experience as First Lady of Kebbi, she said, “Sometimes things as little as a ball can kick off a machine in the lab.

“That is not about money. It’s just a little ball or a UPS failure that will make the whole machine stop. So we must step up as Nigerians. Funding is being provided, but can we do more? Yes”. (NAN)

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has inaugurated modern health facilities aimed at ending medical tourism and strengthening specialised healthcare delivery in the state.

The facilities, located at the IBB Specialist Hospital, include newly constructed cabin wards for male and female patients.

The inaugurated facilities include newly constructed male and female cabin wards, a protacabin wing, a fully equipped Accident and Emergency Unit and a state-of-the-art radio diagnostics suite.

Bago said the hospital now boasts of a renal dialysis centre, Electrocardiogram (ECG) services, mammogram, X-ray, CT Scan and a modern surgical theatre, which he adjudged as one of the best in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to him, the facilities underscore his administration’s resolve to prioritise healthcare and position the state as a hub for advanced medical services in Nigeria and beyond.

“In Niger, we have continued to lead in the provision of primary healthcare delivery.

“We have completed 20 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres and we are going for another 110,” he said.

He disclosed that the state was also working on revitalising its 22 general hospitals and had recruited 1,500 health workers to strengthen service delivery across the facilities.

He attributed the strides in the health sector to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, noting that increased resources to subnationals has enabled states to execute impactful projects.

He reiterated his administration’s vision to build a “New Niger” where citizens would enjoy dividends of democracy, especially in accessible and affordable healthcare.

The governor said that complex surgeries such as brain and spinal cord operations, knee replacements and other major procedures were now being conducted at the hospital.

He revealed that the government had signed agreements with medical partners in Egypt and Russia to enhance service delivery, including a pact that would see between 20 and 50 Egyptian doctors visit the state monthly for specialised services and training.

Bago added that 250 telemedicine machines would be deployed across 25 Local government areas to reduce the burden of travelling from rural communities to urban centres for medical consultations.

To ensure uninterrupted power supply, he said, the hospital would be taken off the national grid with the installation of a two-megawatt solar power system to guarantee efficient operations.

The governor further announced the creation of an employment portal aimed at scaling up the medical workforce from 500 to 5,000 personnel, offering competitive remuneration, doctors’ quarters, accommodation and transportation to attract professionals.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of IBB Hospital, Dr Bala Waziri, said the institution, which received a renewed mandate in 2012 as a specialist hospital, had witnessed rapid expansion to meet increasing demand for advanced medical care.

He noted that the new protacabin wing would increase admission capacity, while the inauguration of a functional ICU marked a historic milestone, as the state previously lacked such critical care infrastructure.

Waziri thanked the governor for approving the engagement of 29 visiting consultants which had enabled the hospital to provide full surgical services.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Bagana, said the state was upgrading primary healthcare centres from Level One to Level Two and had recruited over 2,000 health personnel since 2024.

Bagana said the upgraded facility would serve as a centre for specialised interventions and emergency care.(NAN)

The Akire of Ikire Land in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba (Pharm)  Olatunde Falabi, has passed on to join his ancestors.

His son, Prince (Pharm.) Olugbenga Falabi, the immediate past national secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), confirmed his passing to Pharmanewsonline on Monday.

The monarch joined his ancestors on Saturday, 28 February, 2026.

The circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be made public.

Oba Falabi celebrated his 91st birthday in January 2026.

The monarch is survived by his children and grandchildren.

Details later.