Pharmacists under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have voiced their concerns over the ongoing controversy stirred by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) regarding the recent promotion of some pharmacists to the consultant cadre. They have resolved to put a stop to the perceived excesses of the medical profession over other healthcare workers, particularly as the promotions represent the direct implementation of a Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) policy.
The leadership of the NMA, Lagos State Chapter, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Dr Saheed Babajide, recently objected to the actions of the Medical Directors of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Yaba, who appointed 15 pharmacists as consultants in accordance with the directives of the FMoH. The NMA argued that the policy poses a grave danger to patient safety and professional harmony within the healthcare system.
In an exclusive interview, the Chairman of Lagos State PSN, Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, described the NMA’s outburst as baseless and unfounded, exposing what he characterised as the NMA’s habitual self-serving, vengeful, and oppressive tendency to unilaterally dictate professional ceilings for non-physician healthcare workers—while disregarding the fact that every cadre within the civil service health workforce is an equal employee of the government.
Oyekunle outrightly condemned the NMA’s statement, which he claimed lacked professionalism. He stated that the PSN is prepared to resist such intimidation with all tools at its disposal, in the interest of patients. He further asserted that the appointments follow directly from circulars issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).
“We vehemently condemn their myopic perspective and must emphasise that while Medicine is undeniably a noble profession globally, our local champions within the NMA consistently deviate from any semblance of normative professional courtesy in their pronouncements. Therefore, we respectfully notify all relevant stakeholders, including our strategic alliance partners, to be fully prepared to confront the NMA’s inevitable and tiresome charade,” he said.
Continuing, he said: “We will no longer indulge the childish and frankly ridiculous theatrics of the NMA with any semblance of leniency. The recognition of consultant pharmacists is a long-overdue acknowledgement of the advanced training, specialised skills, and crucial contributions of pharmacists to optimal patient care.
“The PSN, Lagos State, actively encourages and promotes open dialogue and genuine collaboration among all healthcare professionals to ensure the seamless integration and full realisation of the immense potential of this progressive initiative, as well as other forward-thinking ideals.”
Oyekunle further justified the appointments as timely interventions needed to improve patient outcomes and elevate service delivery in hospitals. These highly skilled consultant pharmacists, he noted, possess advanced clinical knowledge and competencies that significantly enhance medication management, enforce strict patient safety protocols, and optimise therapeutic effectiveness.
Dismissing the NMA’s objection, he insisted: “The preposterous assertion that this cadre lacks a patient-centred care model and proper legal framework is not only inaccurate; it is a deliberate falsehood. The establishment of the consultant pharmacist cadre is a progressive and essential step towards embedding highly specialised pharmaceutical expertise within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
“For the record, the OHCSF conducted thorough personnel evaluations across all Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) before directing them to include budgetary provisions for the consultant pharmacist cadre nationwide. The NMA Lagos State’s histrionic outburst reeks of its usual self-serving and oppressive attempts to define professional ceilings for non-physician healthcare workers—completely ignoring that all civil service health workers are equal government employees.”
Pharm. Oyekunle also commended the two medical directors—Dr Adedamola Dada of FMC, Ebute-Metta, and Dr Olugbenga Owoeye of FNPH, Yaba—for their courage, professionalism, and humane approach in implementing the policy. He assured them of the PSN’s full support, alongside that of other health workers in Lagos and across Nigeria. He affirmed that history would remember them as trailblazers who embraced progress and upheld global best practices in healthcare delivery, to the ultimate benefit of patients.
The Lagos PSN chairman further emphasised the critical importance of consultant pharmacists in health systems, explaining that their specialised knowledge in medication management, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and precise therapeutic drug monitoring would significantly boost patient safety, optimise treatments, and drastically reduce medication errors. Their contributions would also lead to cost-effectiveness through evidence-based drug selection and rigorous utilisation reviews.
Additionally, Oyekunle stated that genuine collaboration between highly skilled consultant pharmacists, committed medical doctors, and other key health professionals would foster a truly holistic model of patient care. In a system rooted in mutual respect, shared expertise, and joint decision-making, all professionals could contribute meaningfully to delivering the highest quality of care.
He concluded: “The NMA Lagos State’s baseless and frankly ludicrous claim that this policy threatens professional harmony, patient safety, and the sanctity of healthcare delivery is sheer blackmail and nonsense. On the contrary, it strengthens the system by entrusting medication-related aspects of patient care to the most qualified hands. Genuine collaborative practice—where each professional offers their unique expertise—ultimately and unequivocally benefits the patient. This is the standard in the very countries that physicians here selectively quote as examples of ‘global best practices.’
“Consultant pharmacists understand that their credibility lies in expertise, not popularity. They are committed to maintaining professional decorum. Effective communication and mutual respect among all healthcare professionals are not optional—they are essential, and we will continue to uphold them.”
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