Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo (4th left),PSN President, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba (3rd left), they are flanked by PSN past presidents
The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to deepen collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) in strengthening pharmaceutical services, promoting local drug manufacturing, advancing research and innovation, and improving healthcare delivery across the country.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, stated this at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), tagged Ijele ’26, in Awka, Anambra State.
Prof. Pate, who was ably represented by the Director of Food and Drugs Services Department in the ministry, Dr Adeola Olufowobi-Yusuf, said the government recognised the critical role of pharmacists in the country’s healthcare system and is committed to creating an enabling environment for the profession to contribute more effectively to national health development.
He said the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, is implementing healthcare reforms that require stronger partnerships with professional bodies such as the PSN to achieve sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.
“As we continue to implement healthcare reform under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we look forward to deeper collaboration with PSN, investing in pharmaceutical services, advancing research and innovation, promoting local manufacturing, and improving health outcomes for all Nigerians”, he said.
The minister also acknowledged the growing contributions of community pharmacies to primary healthcare delivery, particularly in providing accessible health information, preventive services, referral support and family health interventions.
According to him, the increasing relevance of community pharmacies in the healthcare system underscores the need to promote the responsible use of medicines while strengthening access to quality pharmaceutical services.
Prof. Pate urged pharmacists to work together as a united professional body and partner with the government in addressing the challenges confronting healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
He said the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment that would allow pharmaceutical practitioners to make meaningful contributions to the country’s health sector.
The minister challenged participants at the conference to ensure that the discussions and resolutions reached are translated into practical actions capable of strengthening the healthcare system.
He stressed that the collaboration being advocated should not end with the 99th annual conference but should develop into sustained partnerships and working relationships beyond the event.
“One of the presenters mentioned the collaboration that we should not only leave behind at the conference, but we should move to form a team, to form a collaboration that will go beyond this 99th celebration”, he said.
Pate expressed confidence that the deliberations at the conference would produce practical recommendations for improving Nigeria’s healthcare system, while wishing the pharmacists a successful conference.
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