The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified thirty countries leading with the highest burden of Tuberculosis,with the inclusion of Nigeria, attributing the 88 per cent of the global TB burden in 2025 to them.
In its Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 released on 12 November, the WHO estimated that 10.6 million people developed TB in 2025, while 1.1 million died from the disease
Some of the countries highlighted by the global health agency are India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bandgladesh and others.
Among them, India recorded the highest share at 25 per cent, followed by Indonesia with 10 per cent and the Philippines with 6.8 per cent.
China accounted for 6.5 per cent, Pakistan 6.4 per cent, Nigeria 4.9 per cent, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 3.9 per cent and Bangladesh 3.7 per cent. Together, these eight countries accounted for approximately 67 per cent of people who developed TB worldwide. The remaining 22 countries made up the rest of the 88 per cent.
Despite the high number of cases, the report showed that TB deaths had fallen by 35 per cent since 2015, while treatment had saved an estimated 86 million lives since 2000.
However, the decline in new infections has been slower than expected. The global TB incidence rate fell by 14 per cent between 2015 and 2025, missing the 50 per cent reduction target set under WHO’s End TB Strategy.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the decline in cases and deaths as encouraging, particularly as countries struggle with cuts in international health funding.
He said several governments had increased spending from their own budgets to protect the progress made against the disease.
The report showed that domestic funding for TB programmes rose by 14 per cent to US$5.6 billion between 2024 and 2025, helping to offset a similar decline in international financing.
However, gaps in diagnosis and treatment remain. Of the 10.6 million people estimated to have developed TB in 2025, only 8.4 million were diagnosed, leaving about 2.2 million undiagnosed or unreported.
The use of WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests also remained below target, with only 59 per cent of newly diagnosed patients receiving the tests, compared with the 100 per cent target set for 2027.
Drug-resistant TB presents another challenge. An estimated 370,000 people developed rifampicin-resistant TB in 2025, but only 42 per cent received treatment.
WHO also raised concerns about the limited funding available for TB research. Investment stood at US$1.2 billion in 2023, less than one-quarter of the US$5 billion annual target required by 2027.
The organisation called on governments and partners to increase funding, improve access to early diagnosis and treatment, and invest in new vaccines, medicines and diagnostic tools.
It stressed that stronger efforts are needed to sustain the progress already made and accelerate the global response to tuberculosis
1. A patient taking carbamazepine develops reduced anticoagulant effects after starting another medication. Which pharmacokinetic mechanism best explains this interaction? A. Inhibition of CYP2C9-mediated metabolism B. Competitive inhibition of renal tubular secretion C. Inhibition of intestinal P-glycoprotein D. Induction of hepatic drug-metabolising enzymes
2. Which of the following best explains why methotrexate toxicity can be increased by concomitant administration of trimethoprim? A. Both drugs inhibit dihydrofolate reductase B. Trimethoprim accelerates methotrexate glucuronidation C. Both drugs inhibit xanthine oxidase D. Methotrexate increases trimethoprim renal filtration
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity is set for a potential boost with the development of a Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industrial Park, known as Pharmacity, in Abuja through a partnership between Bloom Public Health and Centenary City.
The project, being developed through Bloom Pharmacity Limited, is designed to provide an integrated industrial environment for pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies and healthcare supply-chain operators seeking to establish or expand production facilities in Nigeria.
The initiative comes amid growing calls for increased domestic pharmaceutical production as Nigeria seeks to reduce its dependence on imported medicines and strengthen healthcare supply-chain resilience. Africa’s pharmaceutical market was valued at approximately $27.65 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $36.96 billion by 2033, according to Grand View Research.
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market, estimated at about $3.34 billion in 2026, is projected to grow annually by 9.5 per cent through 2033, according to Coherent Market Insights.
Despite these growth prospects, Nigeria remains substantially dependent on imported medicines and pharmaceutical inputs. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has identified the expansion of local manufacturing as an important component of the country’s medicine security strategy.
Against this background, Pharmacity is being developed within Centenary City, Abuja, to attract investment into pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing while providing the infrastructure and technical support required to establish production facilities.
The project will occupy several hectares of master-planned industrial land, with serviced plots of approximately 5,000 square metres allocated to prospective manufacturers. Its proposed infrastructure includes internal road networks, power distribution, water supply, effluent and sewage treatment facilities, and gas reticulation.
Bloom Public Health will serve as the technical partner, providing support in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) quality management systems, facility layout planning and regulatory-readiness advisory to help participating manufacturers work towards applicable NAFDAC requirements and relevant international standards, including World Health Organisation prequalification requirements where applicable.
The project partners said the model recognises that establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities requires more than acquiring land and installing production equipment, as facility design, production processes, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, utilities, workforce capacity and supply-chain reliability are equally important. By bringing manufacturing facilities and supporting services together within a coordinated industrial zone, Pharmacity aims to improve infrastructure efficiency, reduce duplication of investment and address some of the operational challenges associated with establishing pharmaceutical production facilities.
Speaking on the initiative, Chief Executive Officer of Bloom Public Health, Prof. Chimezie Anyakora, said the project was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare security through sustainable local manufacturing.
“Nigeria’s healthcare security depends on building sustainable, quality-assured local manufacturing capacity. Pharmacity is designed to move beyond basic industrial real estate by giving pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers an ecosystem where physical infrastructure is directly supported by GMP quality systems and regulatory readiness from the outset,” he said.
The proposed industrial park will incorporate facilities and services to support pharmaceutical manufacturing, including cold-chain and warehousing logistics hubs, quality-control laboratories, regulatory liaison offices and commercial banking services. Its location within Centenary City, close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, is expected to provide access to air cargo services and distribution networks across Nigeria and the wider West African market. The project’s position within Centenary City’s Free Zone framework is also expected to offer eligible businesses access to applicable tax, customs and other investment incentives, subject to the necessary approvals and regulatory conditions.
Pharmacity is currently in its primary and secondary infrastructure rollout phase, with the onboarding of initial facilities targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The development is expected to create opportunities for pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies, institutional investors, infrastructure providers and specialised healthcare logistics operators. Its success will ultimately depend on its ability to attract credible manufacturers, mobilise investment and support quality-assured production facilities capable of meeting local and international standards.
Bloom Pharmacity Limited has invited pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies, infrastructure investors and healthcare logistics operators to engage with its project team. Interested parties can request the project prospectus, obtain information on plot specifications or arrange site visits through the project secretariat.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has urged sustained commitment to health sector reforms to consolidate gains recorded under the World Bank-funded IMPACT Project.
Pate made the call at the end-of-project dissemination of the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project in Abuja.
The event was part of activities marking the close of the 2026 Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR), which began on Tuesday. Pate said Nigeria’s health sector reforms had evolved over more than two decades, shifting from investments in infrastructure, equipment and procurement to approaches focused on measurable health outcomes.
“Nigeria’s health reform journey has been a long one. There’s an evolution that has been going on for 22 years in Nigeria’s healthcare system,” he said.
He said the shift towards results-based financing reflected the need to prioritise measurable outcomes rather than activities. “The paradigm shift is that you cannot reward effort. You need to reward result,” Pate said.
He said the IMPACT Project, approved in 2020 with 650 million dollars in financing, represented the first phase of a multi-phase programme. According to him, the project helped facilitate the transition from investment lending to a results-based system anchored on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
“The challenge for us is then how to sustain it, because reform is a continuous process,” he said.
Pate said subsequent phases would build on the project’s achievements through the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the Sector-Wide Approach and the HOPE programme.
The World Bank Country Director, Matthew Verghis, said the project demonstrated the value of sustained investment in primary healthcare and collaboration across different levels of government.
Verghis said the project increased health facility quality-of-care scores from 39.3 per cent to 50.2 per cent and upgraded more than 2,600 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities.
He said more than 10 million insecticide-treated nets were procured and distributed, while over 20 million dollars was transferred directly to PHC facilities.
The project also financed about 170 million dollars in routine vaccine procurement over four years, helping Nigeria meet its domestic co-financing obligations and access vaccine financing, he said.
Verghis added that more than 15,000 health workers were engaged to address staffing gaps, while over 6,000 PHC facilities received laptops. He said the gains would be sustained through the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the HOPE programmes.
“Project closure is not the end of this journey,” Verghis said, urging stakeholders to integrate the project’s lessons and investments into stronger national health systems.
The National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor, said malaria prevalence declined from 27 per cent at the beginning of the project to 15.2 per cent.
She said the project also supported Nigeria’s 2025 Malaria Indicator Survey with minimal assistance from other partners.
Ogbulafor said it facilitated the development of the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and supported the country’s largest larval source management intervention.
She added that the project supported locally produced next-generation insecticide-treated nets and strengthened malaria diagnosis, treatment and commodity distribution.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, said the project contributed to improved immunisation coverage and primary healthcare delivery.
Aina said 16.6 million children were fully immunised, exceeding the project target of 9.3 million.
He said the proportion of fully immunised children aged 12 to 23 months rose from 31 per cent to 39.7 per cent, surpassing the 36 per cent target.
According to him, malaria prevalence declined from 22 per cent in 2021 to 15 per cent in 2025, while under-five mortality fell from 102 to 90 deaths per 1,000 live births.
He said more than 2,500 PHC facilities were upgraded to Level Two functionality across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Other interventions included financing 200 million vaccine doses between 2023 and 2025, providing 3,144 solar direct-drive refrigerators and distributing 4.68 million long-lasting insecticidal nets.
Aina said 5.8 million pregnant women also received at least three doses of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria.
He urged state and local governments to take ownership of the facilities, equipment and other assets provided under the project.
“The IMPACT Project closes on Dec. 31, but a health centre does not,” he said.
The National Programme Manager of the IMPACT Project, Dr Amina Mohammed, said implementation began in February 2021, expanding from 18 states to 30 states and the FCT.
Mohammed said the project had three main components: Immunisation Plus, Knowledge for Change and Malaria, while a fourth emergency response component was not activated.
She said under-five mortality declined from 132 to 90 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the proportion of febrile children receiving artemisinin-based combination therapy increased from 8.1 per cent to 47.2 per cent.
She added that the project supported the training of 79,000 healthcare workers and established a vaccine storage hub in Lagos.
The event also featured awards to individuals and teams recognised for their contributions to the project’s implementation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IMPACT Project was designed to improve immunisation coverage, expand access to malaria interventions and reduce under-five mortality through investments in PHC, vaccines, commodities, infrastructure and health systems.
It was implemented through national agencies and state institutions with support from the World Bank. (NAN)
Pharm. Sir Bankole Aminu Ezebuilo is the national chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP). In this interview with Ranmilowo Ojalumo, he urges the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to place medicine security at the centre of its 99th Annual National Conference and establish a group to drive the implementation of conference resolutions. He also discusses the challenges facing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, the fight against substandard and falsified medicines, and initiatives to strengthen local manufacturing. Excerpts:
What is your general assessment of the current state of the pharmaceutical industry?
Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry has considerable potential, but this has yet to translate into a sufficiently resilient medicine supply system. The country has experienced pharmacists, established manufacturers, research institutions and a large population whose medicine needs should provide a strong basis for investment. Yet access to medicines remains vulnerable to imports, dependence on imported manufacturing inputs and disruptions beyond our borders.
The World Health Organisation’s 2025 Nigeria health systems profile identifies limited domestic production and dependence on imports as important weaknesses. This points to a structural gap rather than providing a real-time assessment of production levels. The central concern is that our capacity to meet essential medicine needs locally remains inadequate.
For an industrial pharmacist, the challenge goes beyond producing a tablet or capsule. A dependable pharmaceutical industry requires validated processes, functional laboratories, trained personnel, reliable utilities, appropriate storage facilities and sufficient working capital. When manufacturers face high financing costs and unpredictable input prices, upgrading facilities, maintaining stocks and offering competitive prices become more difficult. Patients ultimately bear the consequences through reduced affordability and availability.
The government has recognised the need for change through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain and fiscal measures designed to support domestic production. In March 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service published implementation guidelines covering eligible pharmaceutical manufacturing inputs. These are useful policy measures, but their effectiveness must be assessed by how readily manufacturers can access the benefits and the extent to which they improve medicine supply.
We should progressively strengthen domestic capacity, prioritising essential medicines and products that Nigeria can manufacture competitively while meeting quality standards. Imports will continue to play a role. The objective should be a balanced pharmaceutical supply system that can withstand disruptions and provide Nigerians with dependable access to the medicines they need.
As pharmacists gather in November for another PSN conference, what paramount issue would you want the society to pay attention to?
I would place medicine security at the centre of the conference. By medicine security, I mean the ability to provide safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable medicines consistently, including during economic difficulties, emergencies and international supply disruptions.
This is a professional issue with direct consequences for households. A prescription is of limited value if the medicine is unavailable, unaffordable or of uncertain quality. We should therefore measure our professional contribution by whether patients can complete their treatment safely and reliably.
The PSN can bring together the different parts of the pharmaceutical system. Industrial pharmacists understand manufacturing and product quality, while community and hospital pharmacists encounter challenges relating to medicine availability, affordability and treatment interruptions. Academics and researchers can contribute to product development, evidence generation and professional training. Bringing these perspectives together would make the conference’s recommendations more relevant and practical.
I would like the conference to examine which essential medicines experience supply shortages, what prevents reliable local production, where distribution systems break down and how procurement can support dependable supply. These questions should be addressed using data rather than impressions alone.
Workforce competence must also feature in the discussions. Nigeria needs pharmacists who can work effectively in formulation development, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and supply chain management. We should consider how pharmacy education, practical placements and continuing professional development can be aligned with these needs.
The conference should produce a shared understanding of the challenges and identify a manageable number of priorities that the profession can pursue collectively. Medicine security is broad enough to unite pharmacists across practice areas, but it must be translated into specific actions to deliver meaningful results.
What major issue should the conference discuss and back up with immediate action?
The immediate priority should be to remove the practical barriers to the reliable production and distribution of quality-assured essential medicines. Another broad resolution will have limited value unless someone is responsible for implementing it.
I would recommend that the PSN convene a focused implementation group involving NAIP, pharmaceutical manufacturers, relevant regulators, procurement institutions, researchers and financing partners. This is a proposal for the conference to consider, not an announcement that such a programme has already been established.
Within the first 30 days, the group should agree on a manageable set of priorities and gather evidence from manufacturers and medicine users. Within 60 days, it should identify the main constraints, the institutions responsible for addressing them and the decisions required. Within 90 days, it should present an action plan with designated leads, realistic timelines and a mechanism for reporting progress.
The agenda should cover access to appropriate financing, the implementation of manufacturing incentives, essential infrastructure and predictable demand. Long-term investment in manufacturing facilities and short-term working capital require different financing arrangements. A manufacturer may be able to purchase equipment but still struggle to finance raw materials, testing and distribution while awaiting payment.
Workforce development must form part of this immediate action. NAIP is partnering with UNICEF to train young graduates in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with participants receiving payment during their training. This approach helps bridge the gap between academic preparation and industrial practice while providing financial support as graduates develop their skills. It is a practical example of investing in the people needed to sustain local production.
The conference should consider how to support and expand such opportunities through partnerships with industry. Training should be assessed by the competencies participants acquire and their progression into productive roles. Stronger pharmaceutical factories need personnel who can operate processes correctly, maintain accurate records and uphold quality standards. Investment in equipment and workforce development should therefore proceed together.
Alongside manufacturing finance, and workforce development, we must address access to sustainable markets. Manufacturers need confidence that their quality products will reach dependable buyers. NAIP’s collaboration with the African Resource Centre for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC-ESM) and state Drug Management Agencies on pooled procurement is also relevant to this discussion.
Consolidating purchasing needs can generate greater, more predictable demand and strengthen buyers’ negotiating positions. For qualified local manufacturers, greater visibility of expected demand can support production planning, investment decisions and more efficient use of capacity. The conference should examine how Nigerian manufacturers can participate effectively and what quality, supply and contracting requirements they must meet.
Pooled procurement must be supported by transparent supplier selection, rigorous quality assurance, realistic delivery schedules and timely payments. Consolidating orders alone will not solve supply problems if manufacturers cannot finance production or purchasing institutions delay settlement. Our objective should be a procurement system that promotes reliable supply and better value for patients while giving capable manufacturers a fair opportunity to compete.
Progress should be measured against a few meaningful indicators, including supply lead times, stock availability, quality compliance and payment performance. The PSN should report what has changed, what remains unresolved and what requires government intervention. This would ensure that conference resolutions remain relevant long after the closing ceremony.
What is your key message to the leadership of the PSN and the Nigerian government?
To the PSN leadership, my message is that our professional credibility should underpin sustained, evidence-based advocacy. We need a clear agenda that connects the concerns of pharmacists with patients’ needs and the country’s development priorities.
The PSN should coordinate its technical groups around common goals while drawing on their respective areas of expertise. It should maintain dialogue with the government throughout the year, document the evidence supporting its recommendations and report progress on major commitments. This would make our advocacy easier to evaluate and harder to dismiss.
To the government, my message is that pharmaceutical investment requires policy continuity and effective implementation. Manufacturers make decisions that span several years. They need confidence that approved incentives will be accessible, administrative requirements will be clear and policy changes will be communicated predictably.
The government’s published manufacturing incentives provide a useful foundation. The next step is to ensure that eligible companies can access them without avoidable delays and that the benefits translate into increased production and improved patient access. Implementation should be monitored transparently, while any extension or modification of time-limited measures should be communicated early enough for businesses to plan.
Financing arrangements must also reflect the needs of the sector. Manufacturing facilities, quality systems and research cannot always be funded on terms designed for rapid commercial turnover. The government and financial institutions should develop arrangements that recognise investment lead times while maintaining sound commercial discipline.
Public support must come with accountability. Beneficiary companies should demonstrate compliance with quality standards, responsible use of support and credible improvements in medicine supply. Industry, in turn, must provide transparent evidence of what it can deliver.
Ultimately, the test is straightforward: are Nigerians obtaining quality medicines more reliably and at prices they can afford? That question should guide the relationship between the government, the pharmaceutical profession and industry.
What is your take on fake medicines in Nigeria, and what is NAIP doing about the problem?
Substandard and falsified medicines threaten lives and undermine public confidence in the healthcare system. They also disadvantage legitimate businesses that invest in proper manufacturing, testing and regulatory compliance. However, I would avoid claiming that their prevalence is increasing without comparable surveillance data. An increase in detections may reflect more wrongdoing, improved surveillance or a combination of both.
We need to distinguish between the different categories of poor-quality medicines. Falsified medicines deliberately misrepresent their identity, composition or source. Substandard medicines are authorised products that fail to meet the required quality standards or specifications. Quality failures may result from manufacturing deficiencies or deterioration during storage and transportation. Although these categories require different investigations, both demand prompt action to protect patients.
Public alerts issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) demonstrate the need for vigilance and purchasing through authorised suppliers. The appearance of a product or the presence of a printed registration number should not, on its own, be regarded as conclusive proof of authenticity.
NAIP represents the pharmaceutical industry, including manufacturers, importers, Nigerian companies representing overseas firms and pharmacists involved in consultancy. Our responsibility is to promote the professional competence and ethical conduct required to protect product quality throughout the medicine lifecycle. This includes sound formulation, validated manufacturing processes, accurate documentation, appropriate testing, controlled storage and effective responses to complaints or suspected defects.
The capacity-building partnerships we are pursuing provide a platform for strengthening these capabilities. Quality management systems, good manufacturing practice and professional accountability are essential priorities. We must encourage our members to report suspected falsified products, cooperate with investigations and support prompt recalls where necessary.
We must also be clear about institutional responsibilities. NAIP is a professional association and does not replace NAFDAC or other statutory bodies in enforcement. Our contribution is to strengthen professional practice, support informed policymaking and encourage cooperation with regulators. I would not claim that NAIP has reduced the prevalence of falsified medicines without evidence to substantiate such a claim.
How can Nigeria, as a nation, solve the problem?
Nigeria needs a system that makes unsafe medicines harder to introduce into the market, easier to detect and more costly to trade in. Enforcement is essential, but it must be supported by reliable supplies, accountable distribution systems and informed purchasing.
First, medicines should move through authorised and traceable channels. Suppliers must be identifiable, transactions documented and storage conditions appropriate. When a defective batch is discovered, there should be sufficient information to establish where it has been distributed and retrieve it promptly.
Second, pharmaceutical traceability should be implemented practically and consistently. NAFDAC has published the Pharmaceutical Products Traceability Regulations, 2024. Traceability can support authentication, investigations and targeted recalls, but it depends on reliable data and participation across the supply chain. A code on a medicine pack cannot replace laboratory testing, inspection or sound procurement practices.
Third, regulatory agencies need adequate resources for risk-based inspections, laboratory analysis, market surveillance and timely public communication. NAFDAC, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service and relevant security agencies should cooperate within their respective mandates. Sharing intelligence can help identify repeat offenders and the distribution routes used to circulate unsafe medicines.
Fourth, deliberate falsification requires effective investigation and prosecution. Enforcement should target those financing and organising the trade while safeguarding the integrity of evidence and due process. Manufacturers must also investigate genuine quality failures and take corrective action rather than dismissing every complaint as counterfeiting.
Fifth, we must address the conditions that expose patients to unsafe sources of medicines. Affordable and dependable supplies of quality-assured products are part of the solution. Public education should encourage people to purchase medicines from licensed outlets and explain how to report concerns, while recognising that patients cannot reliably determine pharmaceutical quality by appearance alone.
Success should be measured through surveillance evidence, faster detection and recalls, improved regulatory compliance and more dependable legitimate supplies. The number of raids alone cannot establish whether patients are becoming safer.
You have embarked on activities since becoming NAIP chairman. Kindly take us through your initiatives and outcomes.
Since assuming office in July 2025, my focus has been on strengthening NAIP’s contribution through industry dialogue, professional development and partnerships capable of delivering practical benefits. These remain ongoing responsibilities, and I believe it is important to distinguish between activities undertaken and outcomes that still require measurement.
Our 2026 Economic Outlook and CEOs Forum in Lagos centred on the theme Reimagining Nigeria’s Health Security. It provided an opportunity to bring industry concerns into a broader discussion on investment, policy and dependable medicine supply. Engagement with industry leaders and regulatory stakeholders is valuable because many of the constraints facing pharmaceutical companies require decisions beyond the control of individual businesses.
Our training conference in Ilorin, themed Collaboration and Innovation, combined professional engagement with community service. The outreach included a health walk, free medical services at the Emir’s Palace, the opening of a health centre and medicine donations valued at approximately N5 million. These activities connected professional discussions with practical service to the community.
During my first year as national chairman, we have focused on strengthening NAIP’s support for members through strategic partnerships, practical capacity-building initiatives and direct engagement with pharmaceutical companies.
We have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African Resource Centre for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC-ESM) to provide supply chain management training aimed at strengthening the skills required to manage pharmaceutical supply chains effectively.
Our MoU with the Indian High Commission focuses on addressing the technical and equipment-related challenges facing NAIP members. The partnership is intended to connect companies with relevant expertise and support.
What does NAIP anticipate in the near future for the advancement of industrial pharmacy in Nigeria?
Our focus is on strengthening technical competence, building practical partnerships and creating better opportunities for industrial pharmacists at different stages of their careers.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola, has outlined a set of priorities for the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, to address during his remaining year in office. In an exclusive chat with Pharmanews, Babalola said the priorities include accountability, medicine affordability, pharmacists’ welfare and stronger institutional reforms.
While acknowledging the reported progress made under Ayuba’s administration in professional advocacy, regulatory matters involving pharmaceutical technologists and veterinary medicines, and internship placement, Babalola called for a clear assessment of the administration’s achievements during its first two years. She also urged the PSN president to develop a well-defined action plan for his final year, particularly as the Society approaches its centenary.
The first female professor of pharmacy at the University of Ibadan said the president should prioritise medicine affordability by promoting quality-assured local production and strengthening collaboration among the PSN, the Nigeria Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP), academia, manufacturers, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and government. Such collaboration, she said, should produce practical solutions to high production costs, dependence on imported pharmaceutical inputs, limited bioequivalence testing capacity and inadequate access to affordable, quality-assured medicines.
Babalola also called on the PSN president to improve pharmacists’ welfare, particularly that of those in academia. She maintained that the expansion of pharmacy schools must be accompanied by adequate facilities, sufficient qualified personnel and better working conditions.
“We should not measure progress only by the number of schools established. We must strengthen existing institutions, improve staff welfare, retain our best academic talent and ensure that expansion is matched by capacity,” she said.
She further urged the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), as the regulator of pharmacy education and practice, to work with universities and other relevant authorities to assess academic manpower requirements, vacancies, specialist disciplines, projected retirements and future training needs.
As the PSN approaches its centenary, Babalola said Ayuba should aim to leave behind a stronger institution characterised by greater unity, improved member welfare, better prospects for academic pharmacists, stronger regulatory collaboration and demonstrable progress in medicine security.
“My assessment, therefore, is that the administration has kept important professional and regulatory matters on the agenda. The opportunity in the remaining period is to move from advocacy to implementation, from reported achievements to verifiable outcomes, and from individual initiatives to lasting institutional reforms. That would be a meaningful contribution to the Society’s next century,” she said.
Speaking on the forthcoming 99th Annual National Conference of the PSN, tagged Ijele 2026, Babalola described the theme, “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact”, as exceptionally apt and timely. She said it challenges pharmacists to recognise that human health cannot be considered in isolation from animal health, the environment, food safety and the wider systems that influence population health.
To prevent conference deliberations from ending with the presentation of a communiqué, she proposed establishing a Conference Resolutions Implementation Committee to select one or two priority resolutions, assign responsibilities, set timelines, identify resources and report progress to members.
Babalola further discusses her expectations for the conference, practical strategies for reducing medicine costs, the need to strengthen local pharmaceutical production and the priorities she believes the PSN should pursue as it prepares to enter its second century.
Below is the full interview:
The PSN National Conference is around the corner, with the theme, “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact.” In your view, how apt is this theme at this time, and what does it mean for the pharmacy profession and the wider healthcare system?
Nigeria faces several interconnected health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance, infectious diseases, environmental contamination, the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, and inadequate access to affordable, quality-assured medicines. These challenges cannot be resolved by one profession or agency acting alone.
Consider antimicrobial resistance. The inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans and animals, poor infection prevention and the release of pharmaceutical residues into the environment can all contribute to a problem that threatens the effectiveness of existing treatments. Pharmacists must work with physicians, veterinarians, microbiologists, environmental scientists and public health authorities to promote antimicrobial stewardship, strengthen surveillance and protect the effectiveness of our medicines.
The theme is also relevant to medicine quality and national pharmaceutical security. We must look beyond whether a medicine is available and ask whether it is authentic, safe, effective, properly stored and affordable. Pharmacists contribute throughout the medicine lifecycle, from research and formulation to manufacturing, quality assurance, distribution, dispensing and post-market surveillance.
However, the phrase “bridging knowledge, practice and policy” is particularly important to me. Nigeria has capable researchers, universities, pharmaceutical manufacturers and regulatory institutions. We have generated considerable scientific knowledge, but we must do more to translate that knowledge into products, professional practice, policy decisions and measurable improvements in public health.
We must invest in relevant research that addresses Nigerian health needs, including medicine quality, antimicrobial resistance, pharmacokinetics, drug safety and pharmaceutical innovation. We must also ensure that research findings influence the work of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, community pharmacies, laboratories, industry and public health programmes. Equally important is the translation of scientific evidence into appropriate regulations, funding decisions, procurement policies, professional standards and sustainable health programmes.
I therefore believe the PSN should not allow this theme to remain a conference slogan. I would like to see a practical One Health action framework with clearly identified partners, timelines and indicators of progress.
Ultimately, the success of One Health, One Pharmacy will not be measured by the eloquence of our presentations, but by whether our collaboration protects lives, improves access to quality medicines, strengthens pharmaceutical security and contributes to a healthier Nigeria.
The rising cost of medicines remains a major concern for patients. What practical steps can the PSN, in collaboration with NAIP and other stakeholders, take to reduce the cost of local pharmaceutical production and ultimately make medicines more affordable and accessible to Nigerians?
The rising cost of medicines is a serious public health and socioeconomic concern. When medicines become unaffordable, patients may delay treatment, skip doses, buy incomplete courses or resort to products of uncertain quality. The consequences can include worsening illness, treatment failure and greater financial pressure on families.
In my view, we must go beyond asking manufacturers to reduce prices. We need to address the structural factors that make pharmaceutical production expensive in Nigeria, including dependence on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients, foreign exchange fluctuations, energy and logistics costs, expensive financing, and the cost of meeting quality and regulatory requirements.
My central proposal is a structured partnership among industry, academia, regulators and government. The PSN and NAIP should jointly champion a mechanism that connects our research capacity to the practical needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers and the health system.
One opportunity is to develop pharmaceutical raw materials from locally available resources. Nigeria has agricultural, chemical and petrochemical resources that could support the production of selected pharmaceutical inputs. Cassava can provide starch for pharmaceutical excipients and, through appropriate processing, feedstocks for industrial ethanol production. Maize and other agricultural materials may provide starches, cellulose, gums, oils and mucilages with pharmaceutical applications. Petrochemical industries may also supply selected solvents and chemical intermediates.
Nigerian researchers have already investigated some of these possibilities. We must now establish a stronger pathway from laboratory findings to industrial-scale production. This will require product characterisation, purification, standardisation, quality assurance, investment and dependable markets. Locally sourced materials must meet pharmaceutical standards; their availability alone does not make them suitable for medicinal use.
Another priority is to translate promising research into products. Our universities and research institutes have expertise in formulation development, medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, drug delivery and medicinal plants. Yet promising research can remain in academic journals without reaching manufacturers or patients.
I propose a national industry-academia-regulatory collaboration platform involving the PSN, NAIP, universities, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), NAFDAC, pharmaceutical manufacturers, investors and relevant government agencies. The platform should identify promising research, match researchers with industrial partners, facilitate access to pilot plants and analytical laboratories, clarify intellectual property and licensing arrangements, and establish early agreement on the regulatory evidence required for product development.
We should also invest in our medicinal biodiversity. Nigeria has a rich heritage of medicinal plants and locally available food plants that researchers have investigated for possible antimicrobial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, metabolic and other therapeutic effects. This presents opportunities to develop scientifically validated medicines and nutraceuticals.
Drug repurposing is another area worth exploring. Some existing medicines may have potential for new indications, including selected cancers and other conditions associated with substantial treatment costs. Repurposing can sometimes shorten parts of the development process because information about an existing medicine is already available. However, this does not automatically establish its safety or effectiveness for a new indication. Appropriate studies, ethical oversight and regulatory approval remain essential.
We must also address the cost of bioavailability and bioequivalence (BA/BE) studies. These studies can be expensive for local manufacturers seeking to demonstrate that eligible generic medicines perform comparably to reference products. I would encourage a public-private partnership to establish or strengthen competent contract research organisations and shared BA/BE facilities. Government, industry, academia and development partners could share investment, expertise and infrastructure, while NAFDAC provides appropriate regulatory oversight. Reducing costs must never come at the expense of scientific integrity.
Finally, we must translate policy incentives into measurable benefits for patients. The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and the Federal Government’s policy measures to promote local production provide an important foundation. The next step is effective implementation, supported by financing, technology transfer, infrastructure, predictable procurement and measures to strengthen quality-assured domestic production.
Government incentives should deliver public value. Where public funding or procurement commitments support manufacturers, there should be transparent expectations regarding product quality, reliable supply and price competitiveness.
As the PSN prepares for its 99th Annual National Conference, what are your expectations regarding the organisation of the conference, delegates’ welfare, the quality of speakers and presentations, professional networking and the overall experience?
My expectations for the 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ijele 2026, are high. As the Society approaches its centenary, this conference should demonstrate not only the strength of our professional community but also our capacity for excellence, innovation and effective organisation.
Delegate safety and welfare must be priorities. Transportation should be convenient, information should be communicated clearly, and accommodation, hospitality and programme coordination should meet reasonable expectations. There should also be opportunities for entertainment, cultural engagement and relaxation. We want delegates to enjoy Awka, appreciate Anambra State and return home with a lasting, positive impression of the PSN.
Regarding the quality of speakers and presentations, I expect distinguished resource persons who can offer evidence-based insights, fresh perspectives and practical solutions to the challenges facing pharmacy and healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The conference should also provide meaningful opportunities for professional networking, mentorship for younger pharmacists, and stronger partnerships among academia, industry, regulators, government and development partners.
I would particularly welcome discussions that move beyond identifying problems to proposing workable solutions in areas such as pharmacists’ welfare, academic workforce development, medicine affordability, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, medicine quality, public health and the implementation of pharmacy education reforms.
However, there is one issue I consider especially important: what happens after the conference?
We often organise conferences with excellent speakers, stimulating discussions and well-written communiqués. Yet implementation can remain a challenge. We must not allow our resolutions to become recurring declarations that are revisited at successive conferences without sufficient progress.
I therefore recommend that the PSN establish a Conference Resolutions Implementation Committee with a clear mandate to select one or two priority resolutions, assign responsibilities, establish timelines, identify resources and report progress to members.
The priorities could include improving pharmacists’ welfare and conditions of service, particularly by addressing the remuneration and retention challenges facing academic pharmacists. Another could be strengthening access to quality-assured and affordable medicines through collaboration among the PSN, NAIP, academia, industry, NAFDAC, the PCN and government.
The Society does not have to solve every challenge at once. However, if each conference identifies a small number of achievable priorities and follows them through to completion, we will gradually build a culture of accountability and measurable progress.
As we approach 100 years of the PSN, we should be proud of the foundations laid by successive generations of pharmacists and leaders. We should also be bold enough to ask how we can improve our institutions, strengthen our influence on national policy and deliver greater value to our members and the public.
I want Ijele 2026 to be remembered for excellent organisation, warm hospitality, outstanding presentations, meaningful professional connections and, above all, tangible outcomes.
In pharmaceutical manufacturing, product quality depends not only on the ingredients used but also on the environment in which medicines are produced. While temperature control often receives considerable attention, humidity and moisture management are equally important for ensuring product stability, manufacturing consistency and operational efficiency. In this interview with Samuel Dike, Anup Sharma, regional head for West Africa at Bry-Air Nigeria Limited, discusses the importance of humidity control, the environmental challenges facing Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers, and how modern dehumidification and air-treatment technologies can improve product quality, energy efficiency and manufacturing performance. Excerpts.
Why is humidity as important as temperature in pharmaceutical manufacturing?
Temperature and humidity are equally important in maintaining a controlled pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. While temperature influences reaction rates, product stability and processing conditions, humidity directly affects the moisture content of raw materials, powders, granules, tablets and capsules. Many pharmaceutical ingredients absorb moisture from the surrounding air, potentially becoming sticky, forming lumps and affecting accurate dosing and tablet compression.
Conversely, excessively low humidity can generate static electricity, creating difficulties in powder handling and filling operations. Humidity control is therefore not merely an HVAC requirement; it is a critical process parameter that influences product quality, manufacturing consistency and operational efficiency.
What are the consequences of inadequate humidity control?
Poor moisture control can affect pharmaceutical production at every stage, from raw material storage to final packaging. Moisture-sensitive ingredients may deteriorate, while powders can form lumps, obstruct equipment and flow inconsistently. Variations in moisture content can also affect tablet compression, hardness, disintegration, coating uniformity and filling operations.
During storage and packaging, moisture absorption may compromise product stability and shelf life. These problems can lead to rejected batches, production downtime, rework and additional quality investigations. Manufacturers must therefore establish humidity requirements based on the specific product, manufacturing process and applicable Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
What are the limitations of conventional HVAC systems when precise humidity control is required?
Conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed primarily to regulate temperature, provide ventilation and maintain general indoor environmental conditions. Although they can control humidity within certain limits, maintaining very low and stable humidity levels can be challenging, particularly in tropical climates. Cooling-based dehumidification may require substantial cooling followed by reheating, thereby increasing energy consumption.
Desiccant dehumidification offers an alternative by removing water vapour through adsorption, making it suitable for applications requiring low dew points or precise humidity control. In many pharmaceutical facilities, integrating a properly designed desiccant system with existing HVAC infrastructure can provide a more effective solution than replacing the entire system.
How can modern dehumidification technologies improve energy efficiency?
Modern dehumidification systems can be integrated with cooling coils, heat recovery systems, variable-speed drives and intelligent controls. Depending on the application, these technologies can reduce unnecessary cooling and reheating, reuse suitable waste heat for desiccant regeneration, and improve the management of ventilation and moisture loads.
However, energy savings depend on factors such as climate, required humidity levels, process moisture loads, equipment selection and operating strategy. Manufacturers should assess the total energy consumption of a proposed system rather than focus solely on equipment power ratings. The objective is to maintain the environmental conditions required for product quality while achieving the lowest practical total energy consumption.
What industry challenges have driven Bry-Air and DRI to develop these technologies?
The growing need for precise process control, product protection, energy efficiency and reliable manufacturing has driven the development of advanced dehumidification and air-treatment technologies. Pharmaceutical manufacturers must protect moisture-sensitive ingredients and maintain consistent environmental conditions during powder processing, filling, coating and packaging. Other industries, including food, electronics, chemicals and lithium-ion battery manufacturing, also require specialised environmental conditions.
Bry-Air addresses these needs through technologies covering dehumidification, air purification, heat recovery, cooling and other environmental-control solutions. Since no single HVAC configuration can meet the requirements of every industry, each application demands a clear understanding of the product, manufacturing process, moisture load and required environmental conditions.
What specific problems are Bry-Air’s pharmaceutical solutions designed to address?
Bry-Air’s pharmaceutical solutions address moisture-related challenges across different stages of manufacturing, including cleanrooms, powder milling, tablet compression and coating, capsule production, dry injection and vial filling, as well as the storage of raw materials and finished products. Excess moisture can make powders difficult to handle, disrupt filling operations and affect the consistency of pharmaceutical products.
Humidity management is also important during packaging and storage, particularly for moisture-sensitive medicines and hygroscopic products. The objective is to maintain the environmental conditions required for each process while supporting product consistency and operational reliability. The appropriate solution depends on the specific requirements of the manufacturing application.
What are the major environmental-control challenges in Nigeria and other tropical markets?
One of the biggest challenges in Nigeria is the combination of high outdoor humidity, elevated temperatures and the substantial moisture introduced into manufacturing facilities through fresh air. A production room may reach its target temperature while its relative humidity remains above the required limit, particularly during humid weather.
Other challenges include poor insulation, air leakage, inadequately sealed rooms, insufficient preventive maintenance and HVAC systems that are not designed to meet specific production requirements. Manufacturers must consider the building structure, production process, airflow, filtration, equipment, controls and maintenance practices. Environmental control should be approached as an integrated engineering solution rather than simply an equipment purchase.
How can manufacturers balance sophisticated environmental control with energy and cost efficiency?
Manufacturers should design environmental-control systems around actual production requirements rather than over-engineer an entire facility. This begins with establishing the temperature and humidity limits required for each production area, calculating the moisture load and selecting suitable technology. Separate environmental-control zones, energy recovery, calibrated sensors and automated controls can also help improve efficiency.
It is equally important to consider the total cost of ownership, including electricity, maintenance, spare parts, production interruptions, product rejection and equipment lifespan. A higher initial investment may offer better long-term value if it improves reliability and reduces production losses. The best solution is one that consistently meets process requirements at the lowest reasonable life-cycle cost.
What is the future of humidity-control technology in pharmaceutical manufacturing?
The future of air-treatment technology lies in more intelligent, integrated and energy-efficient environmental-control systems. Sensors and data analytics can help manufacturers identify humidity deviations, equipment deterioration and maintenance requirements before they cause significant production interruptions. Intelligent controls can also adjust system operation according to actual process loads, outdoor conditions and production schedules.
Greater use of heat recovery, improved regeneration strategies and process-specific environmental controls will also shape future manufacturing facilities. Environmental data will become increasingly valuable for quality investigations, trend analysis and demonstrating that manufacturing conditions remain under control. Environmental-control engineering should therefore be incorporated into facility planning from the outset rather than addressed only after commissioning.
What is your message to pharmaceutical manufacturers who still view humidity control primarily as an HVAC issue?
Humidity control should be considered an investment in product quality and process efficiency, not merely an HVAC expense. Environmental conditions can influence raw materials, production consistency and the stability of finished medicines. Poor humidity control may result in powder-handling difficulties, production delays, inconsistent tablets, coating defects and avoidable quality investigations.
Manufacturers should involve their production, quality assurance, engineering and facility management teams in establishing critical process parameters and verifying that systems maintain the required conditions under actual production loads.
At Bry-Air, our approach is to understand each customer’s application before recommending an appropriate environmental-control technology. Ultimately, better humidity control means better control of the manufacturing process. It should therefore be regarded as both a business and quality priority in an industry where product quality and patient safety are paramount.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to move beyond awareness of the disease and encourage women to take a more comprehensive approach to their health. Breast cancer prevention and treatment require evidence-based medical care. However, nutrition, physical activity, healthy body weight, adequate sleep and other lifestyle practices also contribute to overall well-being. For women living with or beyond breast cancer, these factors can form an important part of supportive care and survivorship.
It is important, however, to distinguish supporting nutritional and immune function from treating cancer.
Nutrition and normal immune function
The immune system is an intricate network requiring adequate energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients for normal physiological function. Poor nutritional status can compromise general health and may be particularly concerning during periods of illness or cancer treatment.
A varied diet therefore remains the foundation of nutritional wellness. Important dietary components include:
Protein: Eggs, fish, poultry, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds provide protein needed for maintenance of muscle and body tissues.
Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes and many vegetables and fruits, vitamin C contributes to normal immune function and antioxidant protection.
Vitamin D: Important for bone health, calcium metabolism and normal immune function. Sources include sunlight exposure, selected foods and appropriately indicated supplementation.
Zinc: Found in meat, seafood, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds, zinc contributes to normal immune function and numerous metabolic processes.
Selenium: Found in seafood, eggs, meat, grains and nuts, selenium contributes to normal immune function and protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Folate and other B vitamins: Legumes, vegetables, eggs, whole grains and other foods provide B vitamins involved in normal energy metabolism, cell division and physiological processes.
These nutrients should primarily come from a varied diet. Where dietary intake is inadequate or deficiency is identified, supplementation may have a legitimate role under appropriate professional guidance.
The role of quality nutritional supplements
Quality nutritional supplements can complement a balanced diet by providing selected nutrients and naturally derived nutritional ingredients.
This can be particularly relevant to women whose dietary intake is limited by busy lifestyles, changing nutritional requirements or difficulty achieving dietary variety.
However, supplementation should be individualised. Women undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy or other cancer treatment should discuss supplements with their oncology team.
Some concentrated supplements, particularly high-dose antioxidant products, may interact with certain treatments.
The responsible wellness position is therefore simple: supplements complement nutrition; they do not replace oncology care.
Lifestyle is part of the prescription for wellness
Nutrition works best when combined with healthy lifestyle practices. Regular physical activity is particularly important. Evidence in breast-cancer survivors associates physical activity with better overall and breast-cancer-specific survival. Exercise can also contribute to physical functioning, sleep, mood and quality of life.
Depending on an individual’s health status and treatment, activities may include walking, swimming, dancing, cycling, resistance exercises or other enjoyable forms of movement.
Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, getting adequate sleep and managing chronic stress are additional components of a comprehensive wellness strategy.
A whole-woman approach
Breast health should never be isolated from the health of the whole woman. A practical wellness framework includes:]
Eating a diverse, nutrient-rich diet
Adequate protein and hydration
Regular physical activity
Maintaining appropriate body weight
Adequate sleep and recovery
Stress management and social connection
Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol
Appropriate nutritional supplementation where indicated
Regular medical care and recommended breast screening
For women diagnosed with breast cancer, nutritional needs may change during treatment. Some women may require additional calories or protein, while others may need help managing treatment-related eating difficulties. Individual assessment by an oncology team and qualified dietitian can therefore be valuable.
References
National Cancer Institute. Diets, Supplements, and Cancer. NCI.
American Cancer Society. Nutrition and Physical Activity Guideline for Cancer Survivors. ACS.
National Cancer Institute. Breast Cancer Prevention. NCI.
Mrs Chima Ejimofor is the lead partner of Infinite Health Consult, and is available for the purchase of Forever Living products, health talks and wellness seminars. She is based in Lagos, Nigeria. Telephone/WhatsApp: 07033179632, email: infinitehealthconsult@gmail.com
–Holds AGM, investiture of new Fellows November 16–17 in Lagos
The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) has raised concerns over Nigeria’s alarming dependence on imported medicines, describing it as a threat to national and economic independence and calling for urgent action to safeguard medicine security.
The President and Chairman of NAPharm’s Governing Council, Professor Lere Baale, urged stakeholders to rise to the challenge, warning that the country’s dangerous dependence on imported medicines threatens national security.
He said the nation’s health security was inseparable from its economic security, scientific capability and national sovereignty.
Prof. Baale, who spoke in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Academy, Pharm. Lekan Asuni, ahead of its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Investiture of New Fellows, said Nigeria must urgently and decisively address its heavy reliance on imported medicines.
The event, themed, “Pharmacy for National Health Security: Advancing Innovation, Medicine Sovereignty and Sustainable Healthcare,” is scheduled to hold on November 16 and 17, 2026, in Lagos.
“No country can claim genuine independence while remaining dangerously dependent on external sources for its essential medicines, critical pharmaceutical technologies and healthcare innovations.
“Nigeria must move decisively from dependence to capability, from fragmented interventions to integrated solutions, and from healthcare vulnerability to sustainable national resilience. Pharmacy must not merely respond to the future of healthcare; it must help design, shape and secure that future,” he said.
The renowned scholar further stressed that the Academy would continue to champion collaboration among government, academia, pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulatory institutions, healthcare professionals and development partners to translate scientific knowledge into measurable improvements in population health.
According to him, a major highlight of this year’s programme will be the keynote address by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative and Head of Mission in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, on Tuesday, November 17.
He said the theme reflects the Academy’s commitment to positioning pharmacy as a strategic pillar of national development, public health resilience, pharmaceutical innovation and sustainable access to quality medicines.
The formal investiture of new Fellows of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, scheduled to take place at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, will also be a major highlight of the programme.
The investiture recognises distinguished professional achievements, scholarship, leadership, innovation and outstanding contributions to pharmacy and society.
Professor Baale noted that the honour of Fellowship also comes with a responsibility to advance the profession and contribute to national development.
“Fellowship of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is not simply an honour to be received; it is a responsibility to be discharged. Our Fellows must be architects of solutions, champions of innovation, mentors of future generations and courageous voices for policies that improve the health and well-being of Nigerians,” he said.
NAPharm also called for collective action to achieve universal health coverage, stressing that medicine security and sustainable healthcare could not be achieved through isolated interventions.
It said these goals required a coordinated national commitment to pharmaceutical research and development, local medicine production, workforce development, technology adoption, stronger health systems and policies that encourage investment and innovation.
The Academy said the 2026 AGM and Investiture would reinforce the need to make medicine sovereignty and health security national priorities, noting that pharmaceutical innovation remained essential to Nigeria’s future.
1. A patient taking rifampicin notices that her urine, sweat and tears have turned reddish-orange. What is the most likely explanation? A. Drug excretion through body fluids B. Increased bilirubin production C. Reduced renal filtration D. Haemoglobin breakdown
2. A patient develops a persistent dry cough after starting an antihypertensive medication. Which substance accumulates and contributes to this adverse effect? A. Angiotensin II B. Renin C. Aldosterone D. Bradykinin
3. Taking tetracycline antibiotics together with milk can reduce the absorption of the antibiotic because calcium forms complexes with the drug. True False
A Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr Udoka Onyechere, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a public health approach to suicidal behaviour by decriminalising attempted suicide and prioritising mental healthcare for affected individuals.
Onyechere, who is completing her residency in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), made the call in an advocacy article on Tuesday in Lagos. She stressed the need to replace punishment with compassion, medical assessment and appropriate mental healthcare.
Onyechere serves as Officer for Strategic Priorities for Nigerian Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom (NPUK), a Royal College of Psychiatrists Diaspora group, and is a member of the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group.
She described attempted suicide as a manifestation of severe psychological distress requiring medical attention rather than criminal punishment.
She said criminalising attempted suicide could deepen stigma, discourage distressed individuals from seeking help and worsen the challenges faced by affected families.
“Suicidal distress is a wound to be tended, not a wrong to be punished. You cannot punish someone out of pain; you can only help them find their way through it,” she said, quoting Dr Hal Abdullahi, President of Nigerian Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom.
Onyechere noted that Nigeria’s Criminal Code and Penal Code still prescribe imprisonment, fines or both for attempted suicide.
According to her, the provisions are colonial-era laws that should be replaced with a more humane approach, particularly as Britain decriminalised attempted suicide in 1961.
She said the Senate’s passage of the National Suicide Prevention Bill 2026 (SB 730) at second reading on Oct. 13 was an important step towards reform.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, seeks to replace criminal sanctions with crisis intervention, medical assessment, referral, rehabilitation and follow-up care.
Onyechere cited World Health Organisation (WHO) figures presented during the Senate debate, which indicated that about 16,000 Nigerians died by suicide annually.
She warned that criminalisation could reinforce misconceptions about depression and other mental health conditions, often dismissed as laziness, spiritual weakness or lack of faith.
She also cited the support of the Association of Black Psychiatrists UK, whose president, Dr Mosun Fapohunda, described the proposed reform as an important step towards protecting vulnerable individuals.
Onyechere further quoted Dr Shahid Latif, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Diaspora Groups Committee, as saying that criminalisation could deepen stigma and discourage people from seeking help. She urged lawmakers to ensure the swift passage of the bill, while encouraging Nigerians to support friends and relatives experiencing emotional distress.
Quoting an Igbo proverb, “Onye aghala nwanne ya” (Let no one abandon their brother or sister), she urged Nigerians to show understanding and support to people experiencing psychological distress.
“For everyone in suicidal distress, one road should lead to a clinic, a listening ear, a treatment plan and a way back. It should not lead to a police station and a charge sheet or shame.
“A nation shows its humanity in how it meets people at their most broken, not with handcuffs but with open arms,” she said. (NAN)
Prof. Arinola Joda, receiving the Dummy Cheque on behalf of the awardee, who was unavoidably absent the conference.
Professor Margaret Ilomuanya of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, is the winner of the 2026 edition of the May and Baker Professional Excellence Service Award in Pharmacy.
She was declared the winner at the 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) held in Awka, Anambra State, after beating many other contestants to the prestigious award.
The May & Baker Professional Excellence Service Award in Pharmacy, which was instituted in 2005, is one of the most prestigious awards in the Pharmacy profession in Nigeria.
The award, which comes with a plaque and certificate, also has a N1.5 million prize tag. It was established to recognise the contributions and achievements of stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria.
Professor Margaret Ilomuanya
While presenting the certificate at the closing banquet of the Ijele 2026, a former Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Joseph Odumodu, commended Prof. Ilomuanya for her contributions to the advancement of the pharmacy profession. He urged her not to relent in her oars.
In his brief remarks during the presentation of the award, the Managing Director of May & Baker PLC, Pharm. Patrick Ajah restated the company’s commitment to promoting professional excellence.
“We believe in rewarding innovation and dedication that drive the growth of the pharmaceutical sector”, Pharm. Ajah said, adding that the company’s commitment has made it possible to increase the monetary value of the award from N1m to N1.5m to strengthen its promotion of professional excellence service in the industry.
Meanwhile, Pharmanewsonline checks have shown that pharmacists in academia have dominated the award in recent years, winning it in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 consecutively. A former National Chairman of the Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), Prof. Martins Emeje, clinched the award in 2021 in Port Harcourt; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, University of Benin, Professor Ray Ozolua, also won the award in 2022 in Jos. Prof. Emmanuel Ibezim won it in 2023 in Gombe; former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Prof. Toyin Odeku won the award in 2024 in Uyo.
The trend was, however, broken in 2025, when KIMKY Pharmaceuticals and Enterprises, managed by Kim Bot, who was the Director General of the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency, won it in 2025. Pharmacists in Academia may have taken over again with the emergence of Prof. Ilomuanya as the 2026 winner of the prestigious award
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says Nigeria has recorded no new cases of Ebola virus disease, 21 days after an imported case involving a traveller from Uganda was confirmed in the country.
The agency said 34 of the 62 contacts identified after the case was confirmed have completed their 21-day monitoring period, while the remaining 28 are still under surveillance.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in a National Health Security Update titled, “Follow-up Address: 21 Days Since Confirmation of Imported Ebola Case.”
He explained that being identified as a contact does not mean an individual has contracted the disease, noting that the monitoring process is designed to facilitate early detection of symptoms and ensure a timely public health response.
“The 21 days since the first case was confirmed must not be confused with the separate monitoring period for each contact,” he said.
Idris stressed the importance of early recognition of Ebola symptoms, particularly as the disease may initially present with signs similar to those of common illnesses.
He urged healthcare workers in public and private health facilities to remain vigilant, routinely enquire about patients’ travel history and possible exposure, observe appropriate infection prevention and control measures, and promptly notify public health authorities of suspected cases.
He also called on members of the public to remain alert and report suspected infections, assuring that the agency would continue to investigate credible alerts, communicate verified findings and sustain response activities until all necessary public health measures are completed.
Pharmanewsonline reports that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, or contaminated materials. Anyone who develops symptoms following a possible exposure should avoid contact with others and call the NCDC toll-free line on 6232 for guidance before visiting a health facility.
Meanwhile, Idris drew attention to other infectious diseases that tend to pose increased public health concerns during the dry season, urging healthcare workers and state authorities, particularly in high-risk areas, to strengthen surveillance and preparedness.
He identified dengue fever and chikungunya in Sokoto and Zamfara states, cerebrospinal meningitis in northern states, and diphtheria, which continues to threaten children who are not fully immunised, among the diseases requiring heightened vigilance.
“Dengue fever has been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara States, and Chikungunya in Sokoto State. Our teams continue to monitor the evolving situation and support affected states,” he disclosed.
The NCDC boss cautioned against assuming that every fever is malaria, explaining that dengue and chikungunya can also present with fever, headache, body aches and joint pain.
He noted that dengue could become life-threatening if its warning signs are not promptly recognised and managed. Such signs include persistent fever, particularly when accompanied by a rash, vomiting or severe joint pain. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing, he warned, require urgent medical attention.
He advised anyone who suspects dengue infection to seek immediate medical attention at a healthcare facility.
Idris further explained that the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting dengue and chikungunya are often active during the day, urging residents to take preventive measures by draining stagnant water, covering water-storage containers, clearing discarded tyres and other potential mosquito breeding sites, and protecting themselves against mosquito bites.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has commended Governor Umo Eno over the approval of the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre in the state civil service, describing it as a landmark achievement that will advance specialist pharmacy practice, strengthen healthcare delivery and enhance pharmacists’ career progression.
The approval, formalised through Akwa Ibom State Government Establishments Circular No. 5/2026, issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service and effective from October 2026, establishes a formal career structure for pharmacists with specialist competencies in the state public service.
In a statement made available through its State Chairman, Pharm. Nsikak Effiong, a Fellow of the Postgraduate College of Pharmacy and consultant pharmacist, the society expressed profound appreciation to Governor Eno for his administration’s approval and support for the adoption of the cadre, describing the development as a demonstration of commitment to professional advancement and quality healthcare delivery.
The PSN acknowledged that the approval was the outcome of sustained advocacy, consultations and engagements involving pharmacists, the society’s leadership and successive administrations in the state. It, however, commended Governor Eno’s administration for providing the needed support to bring the long-standing aspiration to fruition, describing the development as a significant breakthrough and a reflection of the governor’s commitment to listening to professional bodies, addressing legitimate career concerns and creating an enabling environment for the growth of healthcare professionals.
The society said the governor’s intervention had earned him the gratitude and commendation of pharmacists across the state.
It also extended special appreciation to the Head of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, for her supportive disposition towards pharmacists and contribution to advancing the professional interests of the pharmacy community.
Effiong acknowledged her understanding of the profession, constructive engagement and support for pharmacists’ aspirations, which he said contributed to the realisation of the landmark achievement. The PSN also appreciated other government officials and relevant stakeholders whose cooperation and contributions helped facilitate the approval.
According to the statement, the development followed sustained professional advocacy and strategic engagement by the PSN leadership with relevant government authorities to secure institutional recognition for specialist pharmaceutical practice.
The Pharmacist Consultant Cadre was previously approved by the National Council on Establishments at its 41st meeting, held in Asaba from 4 to 8 November, 2019, before its adoption at the federal level through a Federal Civil Service circular dated 11 September, 2020.
Its adoption by the Akwa Ibom State Government provides a structured career pathway for pharmacists in the state civil service, aligning their professional advancement with the recognition accorded to specialist expertise.
Under the approved structure, the cadre comprises three levels: Consultant Pharmacist at Salary Grade Level 15; Consultant Pharmacist Special Grade II at Salary Grade Level 16; and Consultant Pharmacist Special Grade I at Salary Grade Level 17.
The PSN said the development was expected to strengthen specialist pharmaceutical services, encourage professional development, improve career advancement opportunities and support the retention of experienced pharmacists within the state’s healthcare system.
It added that formal recognition of specialist pharmacists would enable the health system to better harness their expertise in clinical decision-making, medication safety, rational medicine use and patient-centred care, with potential benefits for health outcomes.
The society described the approval as more than an administrative milestone, saying it represented an investment in professional excellence, specialist healthcare delivery and the future of pharmacy practice in the state.
It called for sustained collaboration among the PSN, the state government, relevant ministries, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the approved cadre.
A cross-section of Akwa Ibom State PSN delegates and government officials, flanked by the Head of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, and PSN Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Pharm. Nsikak Effiong (both in the middle), during a courtesy visit by the society to the office of the Head of the Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State.
The society congratulated pharmacists in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service on the development, expressing optimism that the new structure would promote professional recognition, strengthen specialist pharmaceutical practice and enhance pharmacists’ contribution to healthcare delivery.
DP World Healthcare Nigeria and its partner formalise their strategic partnership through the signing of the agreement.
DP World Healthcare Nigeria has partnered with indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturer Miraflash Nigeria Limited to strengthen pharmaceutical distribution, expand access to locally manufactured medicines DP World and improve healthcare supply chain efficiency across Nigeria.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 14 October, marking Miraflash’s integration into DP World Healthcare’s nationwide pharmaceutical distribution network.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Pharm. Chief Moses Oluwalade, managing director of Miraflash Nigeria Limited, said the collaboration would help address longstanding distribution and infrastructure challenges that have limited the company’s growth despite more than two decades of producing quality medicines.
According to him, DP World Healthcare’s extensive logistics capabilities, warehousing infrastructure and operational expertise provide the ideal platform for expanding Miraflash’s reach and ensuring wider availability of its products across the country.
“Effective distribution is as important as manufacturing in healthcare delivery. Medicines require strict storage and handling conditions to maintain their quality and efficacy. Through DP World Healthcare’s warehouse network spanning Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, we expect improved market accessibility, faster delivery timelines and broader nationwide coverage,” Oluwalade stated.
Also speaking at the event, Naveen Pala, managing director of DP World Healthcare Nigeria, described Miraflash as a reputable indigenous pharmaceutical company whose product portfolio complements DP World Healthcare’s expanding healthcare business.
He emphasised DP World Healthcare’s more than 25 years of proven expertise in pharmaceutical distribution, regulatory affairs, demand generation, marketing support, cold-chain logistics and pharmaceutical warehousing, positioning the company as a trusted one-stop partner delivering integrated healthcare solutions.
“Miraflash has built a strong reputation for quality and innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. We are delighted to partner with the organisation and support its next phase of growth through our robust distribution and healthcare infrastructure,” Pala said.
He disclosed that DP World Healthcare currently operates 11 pharmaceutical-grade warehouses across Nigeria and plans to expand its footprint to between 15 and 20 facilities over the next two years.
According to him, the company’s investment in advanced cold-chain capabilities and decentralised distribution infrastructure is designed to improve product availability, accelerate delivery times and enhance service quality nationwide.
Pala further emphasised that the partnership presents a significant opportunity for Miraflash to scale its manufacturing operations, broaden its product portfolio and strengthen its market presence, while also supporting DP World Healthcare’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical value chain.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior executives from both organisations, including Gugulethu Mayisela, vice-president, Finance – Healthcare Africa; Mani Balasubramanian, vice-president, Finance – Healthcare West Africa; Shettipalli Chakradhar, head of finance; and Ananth Sigadapu, business unit head, representing DP World Healthcare Nigeria.
Miraflash was represented by Bode Ayenibiowo, marketing manager, and Yemi Akinwande, quality assurance manager.
Why the profession needs both enabling systems and the power built from within
Dr Lolu Ojo
The future of Pharmacy will depend not only on the authority, recognition and opportunities society gives pharmacists, but also on the competence, character and relevance pharmacists build for themselves. Nigeria needs both forms of empowerment if the profession is to deliver better health outcomes and help shape the future of healthcare.
The theme of the 2026 WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY, “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures”, invites a question that the profession must answer honestly: who empowers the pharmacist? Is it government, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, universities, employers, patients or technology? Or does the pharmacist also bear responsibility for his or her own empowerment?
Empowerment is often understood as the granting of authority, freedom, confidence or strength to act. In Pharmacy, this has two inseparable dimensions. There is empowerment from without: the laws, policies, education, recognition, remuneration and working environment that enable pharmacists to practise effectively. There is also empowerment from within: the competence, character, confidence, innovation and capacity that pharmacists deliberately develop in themselves.
The future of Pharmacy will depend both on the opportunities society gives pharmacists and on the capacity pharmacists build to recognise, create and seize those opportunities. External empowerment creates opportunity; internal empowerment creates capacity. A profession that receives authority without developing the competence to use it will squander opportunity. Conversely, a profession that develops exceptional capacity while remaining structurally excluded will eventually become frustrated. Pharmacy needs both.
The world is changing and pharmacy must change with it
Healthcare is passing through one of the most consequential periods in its history. Artificial intelligence is transforming knowledge work. Digital health is changing how patients access information and care. Precision medicine is challenging the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Populations are ageing, non-communicable diseases are increasing, antimicrobial resistance threatens medicines that once transformed human survival, and recurring supply-chain disruptions have reminded nations that medicine security is inseparable from national security.
Patients have changed as well. The patient of yesterday came to the healthcare professional primarily for information. Today’s patient may arrive after consulting Google, social media, an artificial intelligence platform, friends, an online pharmacy and perhaps an influencer. Knowledge remains fundamental, but possession of information alone can no longer be the pharmacist’s defining advantage.
That advantage must increasingly lie in judgement, interpretation, clinical reasoning, communication, ethical leadership, trust, and the ability to convert pharmaceutical knowledge into better outcomes for human beings. Technology can retrieve information, identify interactions, analyse vast amounts of data and automate routine processes. Healthcare, however, ultimately concerns a human being, not merely a medicine or a dataset.
The pharmacist of the future must therefore move beyond being predominantly a custodian of medicines to becoming a custodian of medication outcomes. This is not a rejection of the profession’s traditional responsibilities. It is their logical completion.
From dispensing medicines to delivering outcomes
For generations, pharmacy established its importance around medicines: their discovery, formulation, manufacture, procurement, storage, distribution and dispensing. These functions remain indispensable. Yet the question society increasingly asks is no longer simply, “Who supplied the medicine?” It is, “Did the medicine make the patient better?”
That apparently small change has enormous implications. The pharmacist must be concerned not only that the correct medicine reaches the correct patient, but also that it produces the best attainable outcome, at an affordable cost and with minimal harm. Did blood pressure improve? Was diabetes better controlled? Was an adverse drug reaction prevented? Was adherence improved? Was unnecessary hospitalisation avoided?
This moves pharmacy from a predominantly product-centred orientation towards an outcome-centred profession. Nigeria does not merely need more medicines; it needs better health outcomes from the medicines it already consumes. Pharmacists should be visible in prevention, primary healthcare, medication optimisation, chronic disease management, pharmacovigilance, public health, research, manufacturing, medicine security, policy and technology. Pharmaceutical expertise should be present wherever decisions about medicines and health outcomes are made.
The difficult question is whether pharmacists are adequately preparing for these roles or merely demanding recognition for them. Recognition without demonstrable value is fragile. Sustainable professional influence rests on evidence that patients, institutions and the health system perform better because pharmacists are involved.
Empowerment from without
There are legitimate external barriers to the advancement of Pharmacy, and they should not be minimised. A pharmacist cannot practise to the full extent of competence where laws and policies unnecessarily constrain professional practice. Pharmacists cannot maximise their contribution where reimbursement systems recognise products but fail to recognise cognitive and clinical services. They cannot fully contribute where multidisciplinary structures exclude pharmaceutical expertise from decisions in which it is indispensable. Young pharmacists cannot become globally competitive if their education remains disconnected from scientific, technological and practice change.
Government, regulators, universities, healthcare organisations, employers and professional bodies therefore have clear responsibilities. Nigeria needs progressive regulation, stronger pharmacy education, competency-based continuing professional development, appropriate recognition and remuneration for professional services, meaningful integration of pharmacists into primary healthcare and national health programmes, expanded collaborative-practice opportunities, and greater investment in research, innovation and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Professional recognition must also be matched by responsibility and accountability. Expanded authority is most defensible when the profession can demonstrate rigorous standards, ethical conduct and measurable benefits to patients. Advocacy remains necessary, but advocacy is strongest when it is supported by results.
There is, however, a danger: a profession can become so preoccupied with what others have failed to do for it that it stops asking what it has failed to do for itself. This is why empowerment from within is equally important.
Empowerment from within
Some doors must be opened for pharmacists, but some doors will open only when pharmacists become impossible to ignore. There is a form of power that no government can legislate into existence: the power of competence, character, relevance, innovation, economic contribution, leadership and the consistent ability to solve problems that matter to society.
A pharmacist who continually upgrades professional knowledge is building personal power. A pharmacist who develops competence in digital health and artificial intelligence is preparing for emerging practice. A community pharmacist who transforms a premises from merely a place where medicines are sold into a genuine healthcare destination is empowering the profession. A hospital pharmacist who demonstrates measurable improvements in medication outcomes strengthens the case for pharmaceutical care. An industrial pharmacist who builds a sustainable manufacturing enterprise advances medicine security. An academic pharmacist whose research solves real health problems creates societal value.
The young pharmacist who develops competence beyond the minimum required for registration is investing in the future. The pharmacist whose integrity is so established that his or her word can be trusted is accumulating perhaps the most valuable professional capital of all: credibility.
This internal form of empowerment does not excuse institutional failure. It ensures that pharmacists are prepared to use opportunity when it comes, and capable of creating opportunity when it does not. (Continues next edition)
Director of Pharmacist, LASUTH, Pharm (Dr) Modupe Oyawole
Pharmacists have been urged to move beyond their traditional roles of medicine dispensing and take leading positions in clinical research and drug trials to strengthen patient safety, improve healthcare outcomes and advance evidence-based medicine in Nigeria.
The Director of Pharmacy, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Pharm (Dr) Modupe Oyawole, made the call during a plenary session at the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria’s 99th Annual National Conference, Ijele ’26, in Awka, Anambra State.
In a presentation titled “Clinical Research and Trials Ecosystem: The Roles of Pharmacists”, Oyawole said pharmacists have critical responsibilities across the entire clinical research process, from identifying research questions and evaluating medicines to ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.
She explained that clinical research and clinical trials, although related, are not the same, noting that clinical research involves studying people, health data or tissue samples to understand health and disease, while clinical trials specifically tests new treatments and evaluated their effects on human health outcomes.
According to her, clinical research encompasses observational studies, interventions, surveys and behavioural studies aimed at expanding medical knowledge, whereas clinical trials focus on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, including medicines, vaccines, medical devices and therapies.
She stressed the distinction with the statement, saying “every clinical trial is a clinical research, but not all clinical research is a clinical trial”.
Oyawole explained that a clinical trial was only one component of a much broader evidence-generation system that begins with the discovery of a promising molecule, proceeds through preclinical investigations and clinical trials, and continues through regulatory assessment and real-world evidence.
Highlighting the first major responsibility of pharmacists, she said they should be able to identify research questions from medication-related problems encountered in their daily professional practice. She said, “Pharmacists see medication-related problems every day. Research begins when we turn observation into a rigorous question”.
According to her, pharmacists must bring their knowledge of medicines to bear throughout the clinical trial process, particularly in ensuring appropriate medicine handling, dosing, safety monitoring and adherence, even as she highlighted their responsibility in building a bridge between patients and research evidence through counselling, adherence support and medication safety.
She explained that pharmacists could help research participants understand their medicines, treatment expectations and practical requirements, while identifying barriers to adherence, supporting treatment persistence and documenting medicine use.
On medication safety, she identified medication reconciliation and the identification of drug-related problems as important contributions pharmacists can make to protect participants and improve research quality.
Oyawole further identified pharmacokinetics as another important area of pharmacists’ involvement, explaining that their expertise could help establish the relationship between the doses administered, the concentration of a medicine in the body, the exposure of the patient and the resulting clinical response, noting that pharmacists can contribute to pharmacokinetic sampling, dose optimisation, interaction assessment and therapeutic drug monitoring.
The LASUTH Director of Pharmacy also drew attention to pharmacogenomics and its importance in advancing precision medicine, which seeks to establish not just whether a medicine works but the patients for whom it works, the appropriate exposure and the risks associated with its use.
She said “Precision medicine asks not only ‘Does it work, but ‘For whom, at what exposure, and with what risk?”
She however identified several challenges limiting pharmacists’ participation and leadership in clinical research, including inadequate mentorship, insufficient research training, limited funding, poor access to research networks, inadequate research infrastructure, limited leadership opportunities and weak industry-academia collaboration.
She observed that the problem was not the absence of opportunities for pharmacists in clinical research. “The gap is not the absence of a pharmacist role. It is the capacity to occupy that role at scale”, she stated.
To address the challenges, Oyawole outlined five key actions for Nigerian pharmacists, which include generating research, joining research initiatives, building capacity, taking leadership positions and translating research findings into practice.
She maintained that the objective should not simply be to have more pharmacists participating in research activities. “The goal is not to have more pharmacists around research; it is more pharmacists capable of shaping research”, she said.
She charged pharmacists to recognise that their professional responsibility extends beyond their knowledge of medicines to understanding and generating the evidence that establishes their safety, effectiveness and appropriate use, saying “If we as pharmacists are experts in medicines, we must also be experts in evidence about medicines”.
“The vaccine is intended to reduce Nigeria’s population. So I was told by my neighbour,” said Mrs Ireti Adekola. “Do not allow them to give your daughter the vaccine in school,” her neighbour added.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a safe and highly effective public health measure designed primarily to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV. It works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against specific types of the virus, thereby helping to prevent cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
Introduced in Nigeria in October 2023, with the goal of vaccinating more than 16 million girls through mass campaigns in schools, communities and public places, the HPV vaccine has been confronted by widespread myths and misconceptions. These have prevented some parents from allowing their daughters to receive the vaccine, potentially leaving them vulnerable to cervical cancer later in life.
While young adolescent girls aged 9–14 are the primary target group for HPV vaccination in most countries, WHO recommends a one- or two-dose schedule for girls aged 9–14; a one- or two-dose schedule for girls and women aged 15–20; two doses, with a six-month interval, for women older than 21; and at least two doses, and where possible three doses, for immunocompromised individuals, including those living with HIV.
Myths about HPV vaccine
Another mother, Mrs Berky Kanu, opened up about other forms of misinformation she had been exposed to, which influenced her decision not to give consent for her two daughters to receive the vaccine.
“I have heard several times that giving the vaccine to young girls will encourage promiscuity or early sexual activity; that a girl who is morally upright or not sexually active does not need the vaccine; that the HPV vaccine is unnecessary because the girls are too young; and that the HPV vaccine causes infertility or sterility,” she said.
“Although health workers and government officials tell us that these are not true, who do we believe in this situation?” she asked. “This is the main reason I prevented my children from accepting the injection.”
Cervical cancer mortality in Nigeria
In Nigeria, cervical cancer is ranked among the leading cancers affecting women. According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN estimates, cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in the country.
However, cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination, screening and timely treatment of precancerous lesions. Interestingly, the GLOBOCAN data from 2020 to 2024 indicate a consistent decline in estimated cervical cancer mortality in Nigeria. This highlights the possibility of preventing further deaths through improved vaccination, screening, early detection and treatment. From 7,968 deaths in 2020 to 7,093 in 2022, and now 6000 deaths in 2024, which is the latest statistics. The figures underscore the need for sustained interventions to prevent more Nigerian women from dying from a largely preventable disease.
“The loss of about 6,000 Nigerian women yearly from a disease that is preventable is completely unacceptable,” says Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, at one of the vaccination campaigns.
“Cervical cancer is mostly caused by HPV, and parents can avoid physical and financial pain by protecting their children with a single dose of the vaccine,” he added.
Dispelling myths and misinformation on HPV vaccination
Contrary to the numerous myths about HPV vaccination propagated by anti-vaccine groups, medical experts have described the claims as misinformation, stressing that the vaccine is an important measure for protecting Nigerian girls against cervical cancer later in life.
As part of efforts to convince mothers of the importance of HPV vaccination and why parents should grant consent for their daughters to receive the vaccine, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed publicly that he had consented to his four daughters receiving the vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer in the future.
“As a parent myself, I have four daughters; all of them have had the same HPV vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer. I’d like to implore fellow parents to dutifully ensure that this generation of our girls disrupts the preventable loss of lives to cervical cancer, in addition to other untold hardship, loss and pain,” he pleaded.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Dr Kehinde Ososanya, a public health physician with the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, on how to mitigate misinformation about HPV vaccination in local communities, he noted that maternal health is of utmost importance to the nation because a healthy woman helps to raise a healthy family and build a healthy community.
“That is why the Primary Healthcare Board is very particular about maternal health,” he said, adding that the board places emphasis on preventive measures to prevent diseases that could cut short the lives of mothers and infants.
The public health physician, who acknowledged the existence of myths about HPV vaccination in communities, said awareness campaigns through health education were necessary to counter the misleading information surrounding the vaccine.
While HPV vaccination has been introduced into the routine immunisation programme in the country, he said some parents were still hesitant to bring their daughters for vaccination.
To address the misinformation, he said the Primary Healthcare Board had deployed health officers to educate parents and community members on the importance of HPV vaccination and other healthcare programmes available at primary healthcare centres.
“This is all about creating awareness; it’s all about health education, and it’s all about mingling with our people at the community level so that they understand, in local terms, the importance of primary healthcare, the importance of coming to vaccinate their children or bringing their children for vaccination.
“The importance of coming to the clinics for family planning, the importance of food demonstration, in addition to routine immunisation, and ensuring that you have proper care, you know, amongst other things.
“We have people who are specialised in ensuring that they go into the communities to educate our people. We have community health officers and workers who also do not stay in the health facility, but are found within the communities, ensuring that people are well informed about healthcare and the steps they can take in ensuring that they have good health and good access to quality healthcare,” he explained.
Ososanya, who is the deputy director/service delivery programme manager at the Primary Healthcare Board, further disclosed that HPV vaccines are available free of charge at healthcare facilities across Lagos State for girls aged 9–14, urging mothers to disregard the myths and take their daughters for the vaccination.
He also highlighted other programmes offered at primary healthcare centres, including family planning, food demonstration and routine immunisation.
Initially, he disclosed, the grassroots medical team visited schools, communities and other public places to sensitise the populace about the importance of the vaccine. Beyond this, he said, the team had trained community leaders to serve as local mobilisers, educating residents about activities at primary healthcare centres and encouraging them to maximise the available programmes for healthier lifestyles.
To rid the nation of cervical cancer, he urged mothers, parents and guardians to take their girls for HPV vaccination before it becomes too late. “This is an opportunity to inform our mothers, parents and guardians to permit and ensure that they bring their girls between the ages of 9 and 14 to get the HPV vaccine, which they will get at the primary healthcare centre free of charge, because prevention is better than cure,” he said.
Pharmacist Ndukwe Ama Ndukwe has been elected National Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
Pharm. Ndukwe emerged as the winner of the election at the PSN Annual General Meeting during its 99th Annual National Conference, tagged IJELE 2026, at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
He defeated his co-contestant, Pharm Kingsley Akwunife to clinch the seat.
Ndukwe takes over from Pharm. Gafar Madehin who takes a bow after a successful completion of his tenure of three years in office, from 2023 to 2026.
Ndukwe is a former assistant national secretary for both the PSN and Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).
Speaking with Pharmanews shortly after being sworn in, the new PSN National Secretary promised to work hard to unify pharmacy. He said “expect a unifying pharmacy by the grace of God. We are going to close ranks”.
The world Health Organisation (WHO) is set to open the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) with a dedicated Health Day on November 9, 2026, to address the growing impact of climate change on human health.
The event will bring together health ministers, government representatives and experts to discuss solutions around climate change, air pollution, energy and public health. It will also feature panel discussions and a ministerial roundtable focused on building resilient health systems. According to WHO’s 2025 Health and Climate Change Global Survey, although countries have knowledge of effective climate-health interventions, inadequate funding and implementation remain major challenges.
To bridge this gap, the COP31 Presidency will launch the Antalya Initiative for Health Resilience (AIR), a voluntary initiative designed to help countries share experiences, develop effective policies and strengthen their health systems against climate-related risks.
WHO also disclosed that approximately 3.5 billion people live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change, while air pollution accounts for about seven million deaths globally each year.
WHO’s Head of Climate Change, Energy and Air Quality Unit, Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, described health as a strong argument for climate action, urging countries to move from knowledge to implementation.
The organisation further revealed that six priority climate-health interventions could save 1.6 million lives annually and generate US$24 in benefits for every US$1 invested. WHO is expected to host more than 60 events at the COP31 Health Pavilion during the two-week conference .
Prof. Edamison Temiye, a consultant paediatrician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), has urged mothers to breastfeed newborns, particularly with colostrum, the first breast milk because of its protective benefits against infections.
Temiye gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos. He said that colostrum contained essential proteins, water and antibodies that helped protect newborns.
Temiye explained that colostrum, usually produced within the first three days to one week after delivery, provided sufficient nutrients for newborns during their early days.
“At birth, the amount of milk produced is usually very small, but the colostrum is enough to satisfy the baby. It is rich in protein, water and immunity to protect the baby,” he said.
The paediatrician said breast milk production depended largely on the baby’s demand, noting that regular breastfeeding stimulated increased milk production.
“Breast milk is produced on demand. If the baby demands regularly and sucks regularly, the mother will produce more milk,” he said.
Temiye said failure to empty the breasts could cause engorgement, pain and discomfort, making breastfeeding uncomfortable for mothers.
He also dismissed the belief that breast milk left in the breast for several days became contaminated, describing such claims as misconceptions.
“The milk is inside the mother’s breast and is perfectly preserved there. It cannot become contaminated simply because the baby has not sucked for some days,” he said.
On weaning, Temiye explained that milk production gradually reduced when a mother stopped breastfeeding, as the body adjusted to the absence of the baby’s demand.
He said mothers could initially experience breast fullness, pain, warmth and discomfort after stopping breastfeeding. “By the third day, the body begins to recognise that nobody is drinking the milk anymore and starts reducing production. Within one week, the engorgement should subside,” he said.
He added that breastfeeding could stimulate milk production again if a baby resumed sucking after a period of stopping. (NAN)
1. Which enzyme is primarily responsible for the metabolism of codeine into morphine, its more potent opioid metabolite? A. CYP1A2 B. CYP2D6 C. CYP3A4 D. CYP2C19
2. A drug with a narrow therapeutic index generally requires closer monitoring because a small difference between its therapeutic and toxic concentrations can have significant clinical consequences. True False
3. Which of the following are recognised mechanisms by which bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics? Select all that apply. A. Alteration of the antibiotic’s target site B. Increased permeability of the bacterial cell membrane C. Active efflux of antibiotics from bacterial cells D. Enzymatic destruction or modification of the antibiotic
4. The first-pass effect can reduce the oral bioavailability of a drug before it reaches systemic circulation. A.True B.False
A speaker addressing participants at the 99th PSN Annual National Conference in Ile-Ife.
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has intensified its nationwide regulatory enforcement, shutting down more than 5,000 pharmaceutical facilities across 11 states in 2026, over various violations of regulations.
The Registrar of the Council, Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed, disclosed this while speaking at the plenary session of the ongoing 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), tagged IJELE 2026, at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
Ahmed, who spoke on “Building Stronger Health Systems through Pharmaceutical Governance and Regulation,” said the enforcement exercise was part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s drug distribution system and ensure that pharmaceutical premises operate within approved regulatory standards.
Providing details of the council’s enforcement activities, he disclosed that 9,908 facilities were visited between 29 March and 16 October, 2026, including 1,600 pharmacies and 5,698 patent and proprietary medicine vendors.
He said the exercise uncovered widespread violations among operators, particularly pharmacies operating without pharmacists on duty and patent medicine vendors conducting activities outside the scope of their licences.
According to him, 771 of the 1,600 pharmacies visited were found to have various compliance deficiencies, including situations where pharmacists were absent while sales personnel were left to attend to customers.
He also disclosed that 2,610 patent and proprietary medicine outlets had never been registered and were operating illegally, adding that they were permanently shut down, adding that another 3,257 licensed patent and proprietary medicine vendors were found to be operating outside the scope of their licences and were also closed.
The registrar said the council had taken further steps to investigate serious violations, with 292 premises subjected to investigation, comprising 51 pharmacies and 241 patent and proprietary medicine vendors.
He stressed that regulatory enforcement was not simply about visiting facilities and announcing closures but also involved sustained investigations and legal action to ensure that offenders were held accountable.
Ahmed disclosed that the council had generated about 60 litigations in the course of its enforcement activities and spent approximately N50 million on legal proceedings within the year, adding that the council had secured favourable outcomes in the cases mentioned, despite the financial burden of defending its regulatory authority in court.
He, however, maintained that the responsibility for effective regulation should not rest solely on the national council, urging state governments and relevant regulatory committees to strengthen enforcement within their jurisdictions.
He disclosed that the PCN released N450 million to Pharmaceutical Inspection Committees and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Committees between January and September 2026 to support their regulatory responsibilities across the states.
Ahmed expressed concern that illegal pharmaceutical operations continued to thrive despite the existence of these structures and the financial support provided by the council. He questioned the effectiveness of some state committees, particularly where illegal premises continued to operate without appropriate regulatory intervention.
On the operational challenges confronting the PCN, the registrar said the council maintained 44 offices across the country and faced substantial expenditure on electricity and other essential services.
He disclosed that diesel alone cost the council approximately N12.5 million monthly, while electricity charges for its Abuja headquarters under Band A is between N3 million and N3.5 million monthly.
He identified significant differences in the level of illegal pharmaceutical activities across states, citing figures from the council’s enforcement assessment which showed that some states had considerably higher levels of violations than others.
Ahmed said the council had also encouraged state governments to use funds made available to their regulatory structures for location approvals, routine inspections and enforcement activities.
He commended Lagos, Anambra and Nasarawa states for commencing enforcement exercises, urging other states to follow their example, saying coordinated action by the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside the national council’s enforcement activities, will significantly strengthen pharmaceutical regulation.
He said the PCN’s regulatory responsibility covered all aspects of the pharmaceutical sector, from manufacturing and importation to distribution, retailing and patent medicine operations.
The registrar maintained that regulation was the connecting force among the six building blocks of a functional health system identified by the World Health Organisation, including leadership and governance, health workforce, essential medicines, service delivery, health information and sustainable financing.
He said the effectiveness of the pharmaceutical sector should ultimately be judged by the confidence Nigerians have in the medicines they use, the professionals who attend to them and the institutions responsible for protecting public health.
“No single institution can hold up all the six building blocks alone”, Babashehu said, stressing that building a stronger health system required collective responsibility among regulators, policymakers, pharmacists, industry leaders, academics and other stakeholders.
DC Health, Government of the District of Columbia. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection that mainly affects babies and children under five years of age, although older children and adults can also develop the disease. It is usually mild and clears up on its own within seven to ten days. However, it can cause considerable discomfort, especially when painful mouth sores make eating and drinking difficult. Understanding how the disease spreads, recognising its symptoms and adopting appropriate preventive measures are important for protecting children, families and communities.
The disease is caused by viruses belonging to the enterovirus group. Coxsackievirus A16 is a common cause, although other viruses, including enterovirus A71, can also cause the illness. The disease spreads through close contact with an infected person, saliva, fluid from skin blisters, respiratory droplets released during coughing or sneezing, and contact with faeces. Infection can also occur when people touch contaminated objects and surfaces, such as toys, door handles, tables and feeding utensils, before touching their mouths, noses or eyes.
The first symptoms often include fever, sore throat, tiredness and loss of appetite. Painful sores may subsequently develop inside the mouth, on the tongue and around the gums, while a rash, sometimes accompanied by small blisters, may appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and other parts of the body, including the buttocks. Despite its name, the disease does not always affect only the hands, feet and mouth. Symptoms usually appear three to six days after infection, and some people, particularly adults, may experience mild symptoms or none at all while still contributing to the spread of the virus.
Prevention
Good personal hygiene remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of HFMD. Children should be taught to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and clean running water, particularly after using the toilet, changing nappies, wiping their noses and before eating or preparing food.
Parents and caregivers should supervise young children to ensure that they wash their hands properly. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers may be useful in some situations, but they should not replace handwashing with soap and water, especially when the hands are visibly dirty.
Frequently touched surfaces, toys, feeding utensils and shared play equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Children and adults should avoid sharing cups, spoons, towels and other personal items with infected people. Children who are unwell should stay away from school, nursery or childcare settings when they have a fever, feel too ill to participate in normal activities or cannot control drooling caused by mouth sores. Parents should follow local public health guidance on when children can safely return.
Teaching children to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, dispose of used tissues properly and avoid close contact with infected people can also reduce transmission. Caregivers should wash their hands carefully after changing nappies or cleaning up bodily fluids. There is no widely available routine vaccine that protects against all the viruses responsible for HFMD, making good hygiene and environmental cleanliness essential preventive measures.
Treatment
There is no specific medicine that cures ordinary hand, foot and mouth disease because it is caused by a virus. Antibiotics are ineffective against the infection, although a healthcare professional may prescribe them if a separate bacterial infection develops.
Treatment therefore focuses on relieving symptoms, maintaining adequate fluid intake and preventing dehydration. Children should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, including water and other suitable drinks. Cool drinks and soft foods may be easier to swallow when mouth sores are painful, while acidic drinks, such as orange juice, and spicy or salty foods should be avoided if they worsen the discomfort.
Paracetamol may help relieve fever and pain when administered according to the child’s age, weight and the instructions on the product label or the advice of a healthcare professional. Ibuprofen may also be suitable for some children, but it should not be given to a dehydrated child. Aspirin must not be given to children unless specifically directed by a specialist. Parents should also avoid giving children un-prescribed mouth gels or sprays, as some products contain ingredients that may be unsafe for young children. A pharmacist or doctor can recommend appropriate ways to manage mouth pain and other symptoms.
Most children recover within seven to ten days without serious complications. Nevertheless, parents and caregivers should seek medical attention if a child cannot drink adequately, passes urine less frequently than usual, develops a persistent high fever, experiences worsening symptoms or appears unusually weak or drowsy. Severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, difficulty breathing or seizures require urgent medical assessment. These warning signs should never be ignored, as serious complications, although uncommon, can occur.
There continues to be a vociferous clamour for the Nigerian local pharmaceutical manufacturing space to improve its capacity in order to serve the medicine needs of Nigerians and perhaps the wider African continent. In fact, it was the focal point of deliberations at the 2026 Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo held in Lagos. Pharma leaders, such as Dr Fidelis Ayebae, chairman of Fidson, Chief Stella Okoli, CEO of Emzor and Mr Oluwatosin Jolayemi, CEO of Daily Need Industries, spoke to the importance of improving Nigeria’s local pharmaceutical output and its ripple effects on the national economy.
Ayebae’s presentation during the panel session was instructive, as he linked the improvement of the nation’s local manufacturing capacity to economic growth. He argued that Nigeria’s economy could blossom if we begin producing what we consume. He took the challenge beyond the pharmaceutical industry, urging other sectors of the economy to think of manufacturing independence, a situation where we no longer have to depend on other countries for the products we consume, especially pharmaceuticals. He consequently discouraged the saturation of the Nigerian pharmaceutical market with imported medicines from India, while urging Indians to set up manufacturing plants in Nigeria – a development that will boost the national economy and strengthen the naira.
Despite the optimism that permeated the atmosphere at the 2026 Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo, it is important to face the reality on the ground. While the DG of NAFDAC and some other stakeholders continue to sell the narrative that Nigeria’s local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity is now at a 50:50 ratio, the claim seems to be at variance with the daily experiences of the average Nigerian patient who struggles to access quality medications for common ailments like malaria and typhoid.
Besides the fact that some of these medications are no longer very effective in the treatment of the aforementioned ailments, their prices are very exorbitant. For an average Nigerian patient to effectively treat malaria, he needs nothing less than N10, 000 to N15, 000. This is a disaster in a country where 140 million people are living in poverty.
When this writer sought an explanation from Pharm. (Mrs) Uzoma Ezeoke, executive director (General Duties, Human Resources and Finance), Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited, on the glaring paradox of NAFDAC’s 50:50 narrative and the lingering inability of Nigerian patients to access affordable medicines, she pointed to a value-chain issue.
Ezeoke said the affordability crisis facing Nigerian patients cannot be resolved simply by expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing, arguing that attention must also be given to the entire medicine value chain. According to her, manufacturers know the prices at which their products leave the factory, but have limited control over subsequent mark-ups imposed at different levels before the medicines reach consumers.
Ezeoke added that the lack of effective oversight across those levels results in successive price increases, placing additional pressure on patients already struggling with rising healthcare costs. She also pointed to an imbalance between locally manufactured and imported medicines, saying local manufacturers face pressure to address pricing while imported products do not necessarily face the same level of pressure.
Addressing the rising cost of medicines requires the government to look beyond manufacturers and examine the entire supply chain, from production to the final patient. There should be stronger monitoring of medicine prices at every stage, with greater transparency around the mark-ups applied by manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and pharmacies. If a medicine leaves the factory at a particular price and reaches the patient at a significantly higher price, regulators should be able to identify where and why the increase occurred.
Government should also ensure that locally manufactured and imported medicines are subject to a fair and transparent pricing environment, while reducing the costs faced by local manufacturers through policies that address foreign exchange, electricity, raw materials, machinery, taxes, transportation and access to affordable financing.
The responsibility, therefore, is shared across the entire pharmaceutical value chain, although government must take the lead by providing effective regulation, reliable price intelligence and a competitive environment that protects both patients and manufacturers. Pharmaceutical manufacturers must be transparent about their costs and avoid unjustified price increases, while distributors, wholesalers and pharmacies should ensure that their margins are reasonable and defensible.
At the same time, the government should strengthen competition and regularly monitor the prices of essential medicines to identify excessive or unexplained increases. The goal should not be to force manufacturers to sell medicines below sustainable prices, but to ensure that every stage of the supply chain operates responsibly so that patients are not burdened with unnecessary costs.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prof. Lere Baale, has challenged pharmacists to take a leading role in transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system, insisting that the country must move beyond impressive policy documents to measurable improvements in patients’ lives.
Baale said Nigeria’s persistent healthcare challenges were largely attributable to fragmented implementation, weak accountability, inadequate financing and poor coordination among institutions, rather than a complete absence of sound policies.
He made the call while delivering the first plenary address at the ongoing 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), tagged IJELE 2026, at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
Speaking on the topic, “From Policy Promises to Patient Outcomes: Transforming Nigeria’s Healthcare System through Leadership, Accountability, Innovation and Collaboration,” the academy president said the gap between government policy intentions and the actual experiences of citizens remained one of the greatest obstacles to sustainable healthcare delivery.
He identified five major gaps in the country’s healthcare policy implementation framework, including policy design, implementation, coordination, financing and accountability.
According to him, policies are sometimes formulated without sufficient understanding of the realities confronting frontline healthcare providers and patients, while institutions responsible for implementation often lack the resources, authority and capacity required to deliver expected outcomes.
He also noted that federal, state and local institutions, regulators, professional bodies and private-sector organisations frequently pursue similar healthcare objectives without adequate coordination.
He said accountability must also be redefined to focus on whether patients receive better healthcare services, have access to affordable medicines and experience improved health outcomes, rather than merely measuring budgets, meetings and administrative activities.
The professor particularly urged pharmacists to strengthen their professional relevance by taking responsibility for identifying, documenting and reporting medication errors in hospitals and community pharmacies.
He said hospital pharmacists should systematically audit doctors’ prescriptions and document medication errors, with findings presented periodically to medical teams to improve patient safety.
“If we really want to show bigger accountability as pharmacists, we must start not today. We must start yesterday”, he said.
He argued that pharmacists must demonstrate their expertise in medicines through evidence-based interventions that reduce medication-related harm, rather than allowing professional disagreements or commercial interests to undermine their contribution to healthcare delivery.
Baale also called for the integration of community pharmacies into primary healthcare services, proposing a stronger partnership between community pharmacies and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
He said Nigeria had approximately 6,000 community pharmacies, which could complement existing primary healthcare facilities and significantly expand access to essential services.
According to him, bringing the two structures together would increase the country’s capacity to provide primary healthcare, particularly preventive services and vaccination, if community pharmacies were appropriately integrated into government programmes.
He said the collaboration would demonstrate the value of public-private partnerships in addressing healthcare delivery gaps.
The academy president further called for a transition from healthcare expenditure to sustainable financing through pooled financing arrangements, broader insurance protection, strategic purchasing and equitable access to essential services.
He warned against poor procurement decisions in hospitals, stressing that pharmacists must be involved in determining the medicines and quantities required to avoid unnecessary expenditure and wastage.
On healthcare delivery, he called for stronger integration of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions to ensure that patients receive treatment at the appropriate levels.
He observed that minor conditions that could be managed at primary healthcare centres often ended up in teaching hospitals, thereby placing unnecessary pressure on specialist facilities.
He also urged the government and relevant stakeholders to strengthen digital health systems and information sharing to improve referrals, continuity of care and healthcare efficiency.
Baale identified leadership as the missing link between healthcare policy ambitions and actual achievements, insisting that institutions would not transform themselves without responsible leadership and collective commitment.
“The major missing link between ambition and achievement is leadership,” he said.
He described pharmacists as professionals with the training and capacity to contribute beyond medicine dispensing, urging them to become more involved in health economics, policy advocacy, digital health, management, negotiation and strategic decision-making.
He challenged the PSN to prioritise policy execution, sustainable health financing, medicine security, primary healthcare integration, digital transformation, workforce development and accountability as it prepares to mark its centenary in 2027.
Baale said the success of Nigeria’s healthcare system should ultimately be measured by its ability to preserve health, prevent suffering, restore dignity and save lives. “Let the patient become the measure of our success”, he said.
L-R: PCN Registrar, Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed;, Former PSN President Pharm. Yaro Budah; NAPharm President, Prof. Lere Baale and MD, May & Baker Plc, Pharm Patrick Ajah.
Nigeria’s healthcare system must move beyond policy formulation to effective implementation, accountability and stronger pharmaceutical regulation to deliver sustainable outcomes, stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector have said.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prof. Lere Baale, and the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed, made the call at the first plenary session of the ongoing 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, tagged IJELE 2026, at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
The session, which examined how policy gaps could be bridged for sustainable healthcare outcomes, was moderated by the Managing Director, May & Baker PLC, Pharm. Patrick Ajah and chaired by former PSN President, Pharm. Yaro Budah.
Speaking on the topic “From Policy Promises to Patient Outcomes: Transforming Nigeria’s Healthcare System through Leadership, Accountability, Innovation and Collaboration”, Prof. Baale said the country’s major challenge was not the absence of good policies but the failure to translate them into improved patient experiences.
“The policy gap is different between what the policy intends, when it was announced, or the document, and what the citizens actually experience”, he said. He identified five interconnected gaps in policy design, implementation, coordination, financing and accountability.
He explained that policies are sometimes developed without sufficient understanding of frontline realities, while institutions responsible for implementation lacked the resources, authority and capacity to deliver.
Baale, who drew from his experience serving on the board of a teaching hospital, said inadequate funding remained a major obstacle, noting that about 60 per cent of the institution’s expenditure went into doctors’ salaries, leaving insufficient resources for other essential needs.
He argued that healthcare accountability should not be measured merely by budgets, meetings and reports but by improvements in patients’ health, access to medicines and the resilience of communities.
Challenging pharmacists to demonstrate their professional value, he urged hospital pharmacists to audit doctors’ prescriptions, document medication errors and present their findings to medical teams periodically.
“If there are clear medication errors, we document it. At the end of the month or quarter, the pharmacist must stand up in the midst of those medical doctors and tell them the medication errors they picked up”, he said.
He also urged community pharmacists to document medication errors and share their findings with doctors in their communities, saying such evidence would strengthen the profession’s contribution to patient safety.
On primary healthcare, Prof. Baale proposed a partnership between the approximately 6,000 community pharmacies and the Primary Health Care Development Agency, arguing that integrating the facilities into primary healthcare activities could expand access to preventive services and vaccination.
He said, “As soon as every community pharmacy can therefore participate in all the activities of primary healthcare, beyond merely selling, they’ll be able to also give free vaccination when the government supplies those items”.
Prof. Baale further called for stronger local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improved supply-chain management, digital health integration and greater involvement of pharmacists in healthcare policy decisions.
In his presentation, titled “Building Stronger Health Systems through Pharmaceutical Governance and Regulation”, Ahmed said effective regulation, transparency and accountability were essential to a functional healthcare system.
He identified the World Health Organisation’s six building blocks of a health system as leadership and governance, competent health workforce, access to quality medicines and medical products, effective service delivery, reliable health information and sustainable financing.
The PCN registrar disclosed that the council released N450 million to Pharmaceutical Inspection Committees and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Committees between January and September 2026 to strengthen regulatory activities.
He, however, expressed concern that illegal pharmaceutical premises continued to operate despite the regulatory structures and funding provided.
“This year alone, we have closed more than 5,000 facilities across 11 states through enforcement activities. This is in an attempt to get the drug distribution system right”, he said.
Giving details of the enforcement exercise, Ahmed said 9,908 facilities were visited between March 29 and October 16, including 1,600 pharmacies and 5,698 patent and proprietary medicine vendor premises.
Ahmed further disclosed that the council had handled about 60 litigations and spent approximately N50 million on the cases in 2026. The registrar urged state governments to intensify enforcement, commending Lagos, Anambra and Nasarawa for taking steps in that direction.
“Everything does not start and end with the Pharmacy Council, either at the registrar or even at the governing council. It starts with the states”, he said.
The Chairman of the session, Budah, who served as PSN president from 2000 to 2003, said Nigeria had good healthcare policies but continued to struggle with their implementation.
He recalled the society’s role in pushing for the Pharmacy Council Act of 1991 and the establishment of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, urging the current PSN leadership to document these contributions.
Budah also lamented the declining influence of directors of pharmaceutical services in government procurement decisions, warning that their exclusion could lead to inappropriate drug purchases and wastage.
“In the past, I don’t think that any drug sales or transaction happens in any ministry without the director of pharmaceutical services playing this role”, he said.
He further urged pharmacists to expose unethical practices within the profession rather than shield colleagues involved in wrongdoing, stressing that members must take responsibility for cleansing the profession.
Budah also called for continuity in PCN’s operations, expressing concern that the council was frequently disrupted whenever a new government assumed office, allowing regulatory problems to accumulate.
He warned against the spread of misleading health claims on social media, including unsubstantiated claims that certain products could cure cataracts or cleanse internal organs, and challenged regulators and professional bodies to educate the public and counter such misinformation.
The General Hospital, Apapa, says it is upgrading infrastructure, expanding specialist services and strengthening partnerships to improve healthcare delivery.
The Medical Director, Dr Ime Okon, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday during the hospital’s 62nd anniversary and inauguration of its renovated Dental and Theatre Suites in Apapa, Lagos.
The renovation was funded by The George Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic organisation supporting education and healthcare.
Okon also president of the Lagos Branch of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), said the hospital had provided accessible and affordable secondary healthcare to residents of Apapa and neighbouring communities over the years.
She listed its services to include maternal and child healthcare, medical and surgical care, emergency services, dental treatment, preventive healthcare and management of various medical conditions.
According to her, the hospital has also contributed to training healthcare professionals and served as a referral centre, touching thousands of lives over its 62-year history.
“The renovation of these two critical service areas is a major step towards improving the quality and scope of healthcare delivery in our hospital,” she said.
Okon said the renovated Theatre would improve surgical safety, infection prevention and control, workflow and the working environment for patients and healthcare professionals.
She added that the upgraded Dental Suite would provide a more conducive environment for consultations, diagnosis and treatment, while expanding access to dental services.
According to her, the improved facilities would boost patient confidence, reduce referrals to external facilities and strengthen access to quality secondary healthcare.
The medical director said the renovation addressed challenges arising from ageing infrastructure, prolonged use and increasing patient demand.
She expressed appreciation to The George Charitable Foundation, describing its intervention as an example of effective public-private and philanthropic partnership in healthcare development.
Okon said the hospital would sustain the facilities through preventive maintenance, proper equipment management, regular servicing and accountability by the relevant units.
She added that staff training, compliance with standard operating procedures, infection prevention and control, and routine equipment monitoring would be prioritised.
The medical director said the hospital would also strengthen collaboration with development partners, philanthropists, corporate organisations and the newly inaugurated Friends of General Hospital Apapa (FOGHA).
According to her, FOGHA would mobilise community support, resources and expertise to sustain and improve healthcare services.
She said the hospital’s priorities included continuous infrastructure modernisation, acquisition and maintenance of medical and diagnostic equipment, staff development and improved welfare.
Okon added that the hospital would strengthen clinical governance, patient safety, infection prevention and digital transformation through electronic medical records and other digital systems.
She said the hospital also plans to expand specialised medical, surgical, dental, maternal and child healthcare services, alongside preventive care, screening, health education and community outreach.
The medical director said the hospital would deepen partnerships with the Lagos State Government, private sector, philanthropic organisations, professional associations and community stakeholders to improve service delivery.
She described FOGHA as an important initiative, stressing that healthcare development required collective ownership and shared responsibility beyond government efforts.
“I always say that a hospital is not defined merely by its buildings, equipment or number of beds; it is defined by the lives it touches and the quality of care it provides,” she said.
Okon expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, The George Charitable Foundation, political, traditional and religious leaders, and other partners for supporting the hospital.
“At 62, we are not just celebrating longevity; we are renewing our promise to serve, heal and save lives,” she said.
Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo (4th left),PSN President, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba (3rd left), they are flanked by PSN past presidents
Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo (4th left), PSN President, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba (3rd left), flanked by PSN past presidents
The Federal Government has expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) to expand pharmaceutical services, support local drug manufacturing, enhance research and innovation, and improve 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.
Pharm. Ndukwe Uma Ndukwe and Pharm. Kingsley Okwunife
The race for National Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has continued to gain momentum, with two pharmacists, Kingsley Ekwunife and Ndukwe Uma Ndukwe, intensifying their campaigns ahead of Friday’s election at the society’s 99th Annual National Conference in Awka, Anambra State.
The contest, which has drawn considerable interest among delegates attending the conference, will see one of the two aspirants emerge as the society’s next National Secretary, succeeding the incumbent, Pharmacist Gafar Madehin.
Both candidates have been actively canvassing for support among members of the society, using the ongoing conference as an opportunity to reach out to delegates and present their respective aspirations for the position.
The election is scheduled to be held on Friday, 6 November, following the society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), where members are expected to decide who takes over the administrative position.
The intensity of the contest is already evident across the conference venue and other locations hosting delegates. As of press time, campaign posters bearing the photographs and messages of both candidates were conspicuously displayed at the entrance and virtually every nook and cranny of the International Convention Centre, Awka, venue of the conference.
The campaign materials were also visible at the entrances of some hotels accommodating delegates, a move by both contenders to attract the attention and secure the support of delegates ahead of the election.
The position is particularly important to the administration of the PSN, as the National Secretary plays a central role in the society’s coordination, documentation, communication and implementation of decisions reached by its leadership. The outcome of Friday’s election is therefore expected to determine who will assume responsibility for the society’s secretariat and help drive its administrative activities during the next tenure.
The contest comes at a significant period for the PSN, which is preparing to celebrate its centenary in 2027, having been established in 1927.
Pharm. Ekwunife hails from Ebenebe in Anambra State and has held many positions in organised pharmacy activities, including Vice-Chairman of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, Nigeria; member of the planning committee of the 2026 PSN’s 99th Annual National Conference; and one-time Social Secretary of PSN Lagos State Chapter. He also serves as the deputy director of Pharmacy at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.
Pharm. Ndukwe, on the other hand, has extensive leadership experience across various pharmaceutical bodies. He has served as Assistant National Secretary for both the PSN and ACPN, National PRO for the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) and Editorial Board Secretary for the FIP African Pharmacists Forum.
The keynote speaker Dr Bernard Doro (middle) with his award presented to him by Pharm Ahmed Yakasai alongside PSN president Tanko Ayuba and other past presidents
…As over 2000 pharmacists hit Awka for 99th PSN Conference
Pharmacists have been charged to strive to ensure greater unity, stronger collaboration and professional accountability so as to tackle the circulation of fake and substandard medicines and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
This was the dominant call at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Tuesday in Awka, Anambra State. The Conference Planning Committee chairman, Pharm. Derrick Osondu told Pharmanewsonline on Tuesday that nearly 3000 pharmacists are already in Awka for the event and more pharmacists are still coming.
In their separate remarks, the speakers, including former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Bernard Doro, called for a united and coordinated approach to addressing challenges confronting the pharmaceutical profession and the nation’s healthcare delivery system.
The theme of the 99th conference tagged Ijele ’26, held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, is “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact”.
Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, who is chairman of the College of Past Presidents of the PSN, said the profession could only achieve a profound and enduring impact on the nation if pharmacists embraced unity, teamwork and a shared commitment to addressing challenges confronting the profession.
“Teamwork is the foundation of success”, he said, adding that pharmacists must walk together more sincerely to build a profession that would be more respected, robust, reliable and recognised within and outside the healthcare sector.
Similarly, Prof. Soludo urged pharmacists to strengthen professional accountability and collaborate with the Anambra State Government in its efforts to position the state as Nigeria’s pharmaceutical hub.
The governor, who described Anambra as Nigeria’s pharmaceutical capital, said pharmacists had fundamental contributions to make to a productive and sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
He highlighted his administration’s investments in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction, renovation and upgrading of about 326 primary healthcare centres, the recruitment of more than 1,500 healthcare professionals and the establishment of a state quality assurance laboratory to ensure the safety and quality of medicines supplied to public health facilities.
He also disclosed that the state was developing a coordinated pharmaceutical wholesale centre, alongside plans for a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, to strengthen medicine distribution and local production.
However, Soludo challenged the PSN to look inward and address professional misconduct, particularly the practice of pharmacists lending their licences to individuals operating medicine outlets without their physical presence or professional supervision.
He said such practices undermined public confidence in the profession and made it difficult for regulatory authorities to effectively eliminate fake and substandard medicines.
He urged the PSN to strengthen its internal monitoring and disciplinary mechanisms, insisting that pharmacists who provide cover for illegal medicine businesses should also be held accountable.
“When NAFDAC raids any shop that we get one, we must also get the name and licence of the pharmacist who is covering the misconduct. We cannot just punish the dealer”, Prof. Soludo said.
The keynote speaker, Dr Doro emphasised the need for pharmacists to move beyond professional divisions and become more actively involved in national policy formulation, particularly in addressing medicine access, poverty and public health emergencies.
He said the theme of the conference reflected the need to integrate pharmaceutical knowledge, professional practice and government policy, warning that fragmentation within the profession and the wider healthcare system could undermine national development.
Commenting on the seeming division among pharmacists, Dr Doro said “Sometimes, we behave like separate villages sharing the same name. The industrialist does not talk to the hospital pharmacist. The academic writes papers the regulator never reads. The community pharmacist sees the problem first but nobody asks him”.
Dr Doro, who is also a pharmacist, argued that pharmacists must speak with one voice and ensure that their professional knowledge and evidence from daily practice inform government decisions.
The minister also called for the integration of pharmaceutical services into humanitarian interventions, particularly in displacement camps and underserved communities, where access to essential medicines and professional healthcare services remained critical.
He proposed five areas of collaboration between the PSN and his ministry, including establishing pharmaceutical care in humanitarian response programmes, using community pharmacies to strengthen disease surveillance, tackling antimicrobial resistance through collaboration with agricultural and veterinary stakeholders, linking local pharmaceutical manufacturing to employment and poverty reduction, and producing policy briefs to support evidence-based government decisions.
On antimicrobial resistance, Doro warned that the inappropriate use of antibiotics in farms, markets and healthcare facilities posed a serious threat to public health, stressing that the problem could not be addressed through hospital interventions alone.
Meanwhile, the NAFDAC DG, Prof. Adeyeye, reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to strengthening regulatory collaboration with the pharmacy profession to protect Nigerians from unsafe medicines.
The DG who was ably represented by the Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Dr Rametu Omamegbe Momodu said the agency remained committed to quality, safety and public health, noting that Nigeria had retained the World Health Organisation’s Maturity Level 3 status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines.
The NAFDAC boss called on pharmacists to take responsibility for safeguarding the medicine supply chain through responsible dispensing, patient counselling, antimicrobial stewardship and pharmacovigilance.
She warned that falsified and substandard medical products could cause treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and death, insisting that their circulation must not be tolerated.
“Every pharmacist and, in fact, all Nigerians are called to be vigilant and guardians of the supply chain”, she said.
Prof. Adeyeye also called for stronger collaboration between NAFDAC and other relevant agencies and bodies on vaccine safety, antimicrobial stewardship, professional education and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The 99th PSN conference, which commenced with a walk and welcome cocktail, on Monday, 2 November brought together pharmacists, pharmaceutical industry stakeholders, academics, policymakers and healthcare professionals including the past presidents of the society.
The conference will hit its climax on Friday with an annual general meeting, election of National secretary and closing banquet later in the night.
– As stakeholders highlight unresolved issues, pending campaign promises
Pharm. (Dr) Joel Adagadzu and Pharm. Anthony Oyawole
The performance of the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, has come under scrutiny as stakeholders and members assess his record during the first two years of his three-year tenure. While some have commended his administration, others have given him a low rating, urging him to fulfil his campaign promises, resolve lingering crises among the Society’s technical groups and develop a concrete economic survival plan for community pharmacists, among other priorities.
With one year remaining in his tenure, stakeholders have also called for the full implementation of the Pharmacists’ Consultancy Cadre across federal and state hospitals, support for the implementation of approved salary adjustments for pharmacists under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) framework, and the prompt implementation of actionable recommendations from committees established by the PSN.
In separate interviews with Pharmanews, two former presidential aspirants, Pharm. Anthony Oyawole and Dr Joel Adagadzu, offered their assessments of Ayuba’s performance and urged him to address outstanding issues before his tenure expires.
Commendable reforms
Pharm. Oyawole commended Ayuba’s performance, describing his administration as reform-focused, welfare-driven and defensive of the profession’s regulatory interests. He nevertheless outlined several priorities for the president to address before the end of his tenure.
These include implementing the Pharmacists’ Consultancy Cadre across the federation, improving the economic prospects of community pharmacists and strengthening relationships among the PSN and its technical groups, which include the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) and Young Pharmacists Group (YPG).
Recalling the circumstances in which Ayuba assumed office on 9 November 2024, Oyawole said the profession was grappling with three major pressures: the migration of pharmacists, with more than 8,200 reportedly having failed to renew their licences over five years; threats to the autonomy of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) through amendment bills before the National Assembly; and a gap in the pharmaceutical market following the exit of GSK, Sanofi and other multinational pharmaceutical companies.
He described Ayuba’s response to these challenges as methodical rather than populist.
According to Oyawole, the president’s achievements during his first two years include efforts to redefine the pharmacy workforce and reform education, defend the PCN’s regulatory authority, secure welfare gains through the JOHESU/AHPA alliance and strengthen pharmacy’s role in public health.
“This administration’s biggest ideological win is clarity on the workforce. At the 98th Annual Conference in Kano (DABO 2025), themed ‘Defining a New Pharma Workforce for Nigeria”, he declared Pharm.D as the minimum entry qualification and moved decisively to end the controversial Pharmacy Technologist cadre.
“Following the MoU signed on 17 April, 2025, between the PCN, Federal Ministry of Health and NBTE, training of Pharmacy Technologists was formally discontinued nationwide, aligning Nigeria with global best practice of having only pharmacists and pharmacy technicians,” Oyawole said.
He added: “Under his watch, PSN and PCN secured the Federal High Court ruling in Calabar on October 29, 2025, affirming PCN’s sole authority to regulate veterinary drugs, ending the long dispute with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria. He has also been the most vocal defender against attempts to amend pharmacy laws to reduce professional representation on the PCN Council, correctly reminding government that pharmacy is the only health profession on the Exclusive Legislative List.”
Oyawole also cited the payment of 25–35 per cent of outstanding CONHESS arrears, a four per cent call-duty allowance for Pharm.D holders, the inclusion of Pharm.D and consultant pharmacists in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), centralised internship placement, and approval of a new retirement age of 65 for pharmacists and 70 for consultant pharmacists.
Disputable success
On his part, Dr Adagadzu gave the PSN president a low rating, saying he could not identify any significant achievement. He attributed what he considered the administration’s poor performance partly to the domestic accident Ayuba survived shortly after his inauguration, which left him with severe injuries and limited his ability to function effectively in office.
“As far as I am concerned, having read about some of the recorded achievements of the current PSN president, I am unable to lay a finger on any standout achievement he recorded in the past two years. This could be due to the unfortunate injury he sustained shortly after his inauguration as president, which greatly affected his capacity to be fully in control, making it virtually difficult for him to oversee his duties with utmost diligence. Thankfully, there are clear indications that he is on his way to full recovery, and I join other well-meaning colleagues in praying for his total healing,” Adagadzu said.
The former chairman of the BOF-PSN urged Ayuba to fulfil the promises he made to pharmacists during his campaign, arguing that these commitments are central to his election. He also called on the president and his cabinet to undertake an honest appraisal of their performance.
“The PSN president was elected because of his promises to pharmacists. I therefore urge him and his team to sit down and review his performance in the past two years against the strength of those promises and identify existing gaps so that, in his third and final year, he can make up for or improve on whatever performance he has been able to achieve so far.”
During his presidential campaign, Ayuba envisioned a PSN whose members would be valued, well-paid, well-organised and highly motivated healthcare professionals. He also pledged to strengthen pharmacists’ accessibility to the public and their role in promoting the rational use of safe, effective and affordable medicines, pharmaceutical care, public health and improved quality of life.
His campaign priorities included leveraging digital technology to strengthen pharmacists’ capacity, pursuing advocacy and legal measures to enforce existing regulations, tackling disorder in drug distribution and fostering a professional environment that supports pharmacists. He also promised to consolidate the society’s progress, promote favourable policies and position community pharmacies as healthcare hubs.
Accordingly, Adagadzu urged Ayuba to use his remaining year in office to address unresolved matters and demonstrate progress towards fulfilling his campaign promises.
“In his final year, I expect the PSN president to address lingering crises rocking some of the technical groups of the PSN, such as the ACPN and YPG, towards achieving unity or oneness among pharmacists; be fully in charge as the Commander-in-Chief of the PSN with minimal distractions; address his unfulfilled campaign promises, especially the need to support the pharmaceutical industry to increase its local production capacity in Nigeria towards achieving medicine security; confront the poor uptake of consultant pharmacists in federal and state health institutions and facilities; ensure the prompt implementation of actionable committee reports; and firmly oversee the centenary celebrations lined up for 2027, given their potential to increase the visibility of pharmacists,” he said.
Assessing the organisation of the PSN’s annual conference in recent years, Adagadzu expressed concern about technical groups holding their annual general meetings (AGMs) during the conference, arguing that this could distract from the event’s core programme. He called for a review of the arrangement ahead of this year’s conference.
He also lamented the absence of the society’s usual town hall meetings and annual general meetings, while criticising noisy and disorderly election campaigns that, he said, had overshadowed the conference’s main activities.
“Elections in PSN are witnessing the ploys employed in national elections, which are inimical to the professional cohesion once cherished by delegates. The majority of delegates no longer participate in sightseeing tours, for reasons the PSN leadership must look into. Transportation of delegates from hotels to conference venues is becoming quite challenging. More attention needs to be paid to some of these challenges to make PSN conferences the best they can be,” he said.
Conference expectations
Oyawole meanwhile said this year’s conference comes with high expectations and urged Ayuba and his team to ensure effective planning and execution. His recommendations include early communication, efficient logistics, better time management, affordable registration and accommodation, adequate food and welfare arrangements, high-quality speakers and presentations, evidence-based discussions, and opportunities for professional and business networking.
“We need speakers who can deliver evidence, not just titles,” he said. “For the theme ‘One Health, One Pharmacy’, we expect the Director-General of the NCDC, the NAFDAC Director-General, the PCN Registrar, the PVAC Coordinator, the WHO Nigeria Representative, and leaders from the veterinary and environmental sectors — not just pharmacy insiders.
“Registration should be fully digital, with QR-code badges and no queues. There should be partnerships with hotels to secure negotiated rates, shuttle buses, and clear signage at the venue. We have done this well in Kano (DABO 2025) and we should improve on it,” he advised.
Nigeria now carries the highest cancer burden in Africa. Cancer deaths in this country already exceed deaths from tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV combined. For breast cancer alone, 79 per cent of Nigerian women present with locally advanced or metastatic disease, and only 28 percent survive five years. Compare that to settings where early detection is routine, and five-year survival climbs above 85 percent. The medicines are not meaningfully different. The timing is.
That gap, the one between what we die from and what we could have survived, is the clearest, most actionable public health failure we have. And it is almost entirely a screening problem.
The shape of a preventable death
Non-communicable diseases now account for 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria, roughly 447,800 lives every year. The Ministry of Health estimates that most of these deaths occur between the ages of 30 and 70. These are not elderly Nigerians dying of old age. These are breadwinners, mothers, teachers, pharmacists, people who should have had another two or three decades.
The quiet killers are familiar: hypertension, diabetes, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, sickle cell complications, hepatitis-driven liver cancer. Every one of them is screen-able. Most are treatable when caught early. Almost all become unaffordable, unbearable, or un-survivable when caught late.
The cervical cancer data makes the point painfully. Over half of Nigerian women diagnosed with cervical cancer present at stages III or IV. The vaccine exists. The screening test costs less than a tank of fuel. The disease, caught early, is largely curable. Yet it kills about 8,000 Nigerian women every year, most of them in their prime.
This is not a treatment failure. It is a detection failure.
The economics of catching it early
There is a reason insurers in mature health systems pay for screening without blinking. A mammogram costs a fraction of chemotherapy. An HbA1c test costs a fraction of a diabetic foot amputation. A blood pressure reading costs almost nothing compared to a stroke rehabilitation bill.
In Nigeria, where roughly 70 per cent of healthcare is paid out of pocket, the economics are even more stark. A family that could have absorbed a N15,000 screening cost twelve months earlier will often face a N15 million treatment bill, sell property, drain pensions, and still bury the patient. The financial violence of late diagnosis is one of the most under-discussed drivers of poverty in this country.
If we are serious about universal health coverage, we cannot build it on a treatment-first model. The arithmetic does not work. The only affordable health system is one that invests heavily in the cheap, boring, upstream interventions that stop expensive illness from happening in the first place.
Where pharmacists come in
Here is the uncomfortable truth for our profession: pharmacies are the most accessible health touchpoint in Nigeria, and we have systematically underused that position.
The average Nigerian visits a pharmacy five to seven times more often than they visit a doctor. Every one of those visits is a missed screening opportunity. A pharmacist checking blood pressure during a routine antimalarial purchase has prevented more strokes than most of us will ever know. A pharmacist flagging a persistent cough, an unexplained weight loss, a change in bowel habits, or an abnormal lump has pulled patients back from timelines they did not know they were on.
Community pharmacy must evolve from a dispensing counter into a frontline detection network. That means normalising blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, and waist circumference checks for every adult who walks in. It means training staff to recognise red flags and refer. It means partnering with laboratories, hospitals, and digital health platforms so a flagged patient actually completes the diagnostic journey rather than disappearing after the referral.
At HubPharm Africa, early detection is embedded into our chronic condition infrastructure. Our 10 clinical programmes, from Heart Health Access to Cancer Access to Diabetes and Endocrinology Access, are designed around the premise that no patient should die from a disease we could have caught. Our 3rd Annual Free Health Screening this year will put thousands of Nigerians through a package of checks they would otherwise have skipped. It is one of the most impactful things we do, and it costs less than many of our marketing line items.
Sesan Kareem is the founder and president of HubPharm Africa, a licensed pharmacy and chronic condition management platform. Hubpharm is recognised as ECOWAS startup of the year 2026 for its innovation in chronic care management.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says the Federal Government’s release of N10 billion is intended to strengthen the country’s overall health security system, not solely for Ebola preparedness amid public debate.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, clarifying concerns surrounding the allocation amid public discussions about Nigeria’s Ebola response.
Idris explained that the funding request covered prevention, preparedness, early detection and rapid response to several public health threats, including Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera and meningitis, among other diseases.
Others include diphtheria, measles, Mpox and antimicrobial resistance, which he said had historically contributed significantly to illness and deaths across the country, placing considerable pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He clarified that the N10 billion was released directly to NCDC, not the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President.
He said that the task force was established primarily to coordinate the national response, while the allocation was intended to address wider national health security needs beyond Ebola preparedness.
Idris said the N10 billion remained inadequate, considering the scale of investment required to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond effectively to public health emergencies nationwide.
He explained that Nigeria’s National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) 2.0, covering 2025 to 2029, required approximately N522 billion for implementation over five years across multiple sectors.
The plan, he said, translated to an average annual requirement of N104.4 billion, although not all its activities were funded through NCDC or its available government allocations.
He said that the N10 billion represented about two per cent of the plan’s average annual cost, underscoring the funding gap confronting Nigeria’s health security system and preparedness efforts.
Idris said NAPHS 2.0 adopted a multisectoral, One Health approach, bringing together government ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders nationwide.
He explained that the plan followed the expiration of Nigeria’s first National Action Plan for Health Security, under which inadequate funding had remained a major implementation constraint for years.
The NCDC director-general said Nigeria needed sustainable domestic and external funding to strengthen preparedness and prevent outbreaks from escalating into national emergencies, threatening lives and livelihoods across communities.
He urged policymakers, the media and development partners to support adequate and accountable investment in NCDC and the country’s wider health security system to improve emergency preparedness.
Idris said Nigeria had responded to its first imported Ebola case with vigilance and precaution, emphasising that the situation did not warrant public panic or unnecessary alarm.
He said the Bundibugyo Ebola case was confirmed in NCDC’s laboratory on Oct. 20, 2026, within 24 hours of receiving the alert in Abuja, demonstrating rapid laboratory response.
He added that all identified contacts were under daily monitoring, while Nigeria currently had no active Ebola case following the management of the imported infection and associated response measures.
However, he said surveillance would continue until the last identified contact completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period without developing symptoms or any new case emerging during surveillance.
Idris emphasised that the country was not yet out of the woods, assuring Nigerians that NCDC would continue providing updates on the evolving situation through official communication channels.
He said the current epidemiological situation did not warrant postponing elections, banning campaigns or mass gatherings, or imposing travel restrictions on Nigerians and international visitors at present.
According to him, NCDC has not recommended such measures but has developed technical guidelines for organisers of mass gatherings to ensure compliance with infection prevention and control protocols.
He said events could proceed safely with strict adherence to established safety measures, adding that the agency would revise its recommendations if new evidence warranted changes in guidance.
Idris urged Nigerians to verify information through NCDC’s official communication channels before sharing reports, warning that rumours and misinformation could undermine public trust and response efforts during outbreaks.
On health security financing, he said NCDC’s allocation increased from N4 billion in 2024 to N7 billion in 2025, followed by a N5 billion intervention fund.
He added that the 2026 Appropriation provided N22 billion, while President Bola Tinubu approved an additional N10 billion emergency intervention fund in June 2026 to strengthen preparedness.
The NCDC chief said the additional funding was requested to address epidemic-prone diseases generally, rather than Ebola alone, and complement resources already mobilised from government and development partners.
He said the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board estimated that countries required between one and two dollars per person annually for acceptable epidemic preparedness and effective emergency response capacity.
Based on Nigeria’s estimated population of 240 million, Idris said the country required between 240 million and 480 million dollars annually to achieve adequate preparedness against public health threats.
He called for sustained investment from federal and state governments, as well as development partners, to close the funding gap and strengthen national health security across all sectors.
Idris said health security was one of the four pillars of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, describing sustained financing as essential to achieving its objectives nationwide.
He maintained that preventing outbreaks, deaths and economic disruptions required deliberate investment, urging Nigerians to regard health security as a national responsibility requiring collective commitment and sustained support.
The NCDC director-general assured Nigerians of transparency, accountability and prudent utilisation of resources entrusted to the agency, reaffirming its commitment to protecting public health across the country. (NAN)
Imo State University (IMSU) has established a robotic surgery academy in partnership with the Imo Robotic Centre, targeting to train 500 surgeons and other surgical professionals within two years.
Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, consultant urologist, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Ekwueme, recently appointed professor of Robotic Surgery at the IMSU, described the initiative as Africa’s first dedicated robotic surgery academy, with department located within the institution’s premises.
He said the partnership was established in August 2026, following a meeting between the university and its partners.
“We have successfully performed the first surgery in the region in August.
“We followed up with multiple robotic surgeries at the Imo Robotic Centre, where many patients are already benefiting from this state-of-the-art technology, now available for the first time in southeast Nigeria.
“We have also partnered with Imo State University, following a successful meeting on the Aug. 18 and launched the robotic surgery academy at the university.
“It is important for me and for the academic proficiency at Imo State University, that any erroneous claim of the first robotic surgery academy is debunked and the records are straight,’’ he said.
According to Ekwueme, currently in Imo, the Imo Robotic Centre is delivering state-of-the-art surgery in the state.
“We have performed several surgeries successfully and patients are benefiting.
“Imo State University has partnered with the Imo Robotic Centre for the first robotic academy. It is important that I refer everyone to the university publication of Aug. 19, confirming the set-up of that robotic academy.
“A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also subsequently signed and a departmental building has been assigned for the establishment of the robotic academy,” he explained.
The surgeon emphasised that building human expertise to treat patients domestically, was key to stopping health-related capital flight.
“We are not only training surgeons, but we are also training the whole surgical team.
“This is very important because we want to train a team to be able to deliver safe and effective robotic surgery at their own local centre,” Ekwueme said.
He added that the academy would support participating hospitals with equipment procurement and installation to decentralise access nationwide.
Ekwueme, Clinical Lead for Urology in North Wales at Glan Clwyd Hospital, UK, commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s administration for supporting the initiative.
He stressed that local access ensured Nigerians no longer needed to travel abroad or out of the region for complex procedures. Nigerian political analysis
“We have bridged the gap. So, nobody needs to travel beyond leaving your house and driving a few minutes down the road to have your surgery,” he said.
“Plans are also progressing to complete an adjacent oncology centre and medical institute for specialised cancer diagnostic services.
“We are also in the process of finalising the oncology centre that is adjacent to the robotic centre that will have state-of-the-art diagnostic and oncology services.
“A medical institute is being created between the Imo State Government and the Imo Robotic Centre. We are also in the process of finalising the medical institute that will have state-of-the-art diagnostic and oncology services.
“I thank the vice chancellor of the Imo State university for the honour of the appointment as professor of Robotic Surgery,” he said.
Ekwueme, a Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh faculty member, noted that his team had performed over 145 robotic procedures in Africa.
“I believe that the recognition by the university is just icing on the cake,” he said.
“In 10 years, I see every Nigerian having access to robotic surgery anywhere in Nigeria.
“I see a Nigeria where brain drain would be significantly less. Nigerian political analysis
“I dare to predict there is going to be a reversal of brain drain. A reversal back to Nigeria,” he said.
He stated that procedures like prostate, kidney, fibroid, hysterectomy, bowel and gallbladder surgeries could now be performed locally.
Explaining the clinical applications of robotic surgery, Ekwueme said the technology could be used across several specialties, including urology, gynaecology, general surgery and selected cardiac procedures.
He listed prostate and kidney operations, fibroid removal, hysterectomy, ovarian procedures, bowel cancer surgery and selected gallbladder operations, among procedures that could be performed with robotic assistance.
According to him, robotic systems provide surgeons with three-dimensional magnified views of the operating field and instruments that enable precise movements in confined spaces.
These capabilities, he said, could help reduce surgical trauma, blood loss and recovery time in appropriately selected patients.
“The advantages of robotic surgery cannot be overstated,” he said.
He contrasted the approach with conventional open surgery, which often required larger incisions and could involve longer hospital stays and recovery periods.
However, Ekwueme emphasised that acquiring robotic equipment alone would not guarantee good outcomes, stressing the importance of proper training and surgical proficiency.
“The surgeon has to also be proficient in the use of the robotic machine. And that is where this training, that we are creating, becomes important,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to support the initiative through tax waivers on equipment imports, to lower out-of-pocket patient costs.
“We know how to acquire affordable robotic systems. I will advise any public institution to come to train with us.
”We will help them to acquire robots, without a doubt,” he said. He expressed optimism that training 500 professionals through IMSU certification would reverse medical tourism and revolutionise African healthcare.
“I seriously believe that a medical revolution is happening in Nigeria at the moment.”
“I think that the world must pay attention to that, you know, because we are doing some great things here,” Ekwueme said. He said the academy’s emphasis on training entire surgical teams was intended to ensure that hospitals could use the technology safely and effectively, rather than depend solely on the availability of equipment.
Ekwueme also said his team had performed what he described as the first gynaecological robotic surgery in West Africa through its programme at the prostate clinic, adding that the patient was discharged on the same day. (NAN)
1. A patient taking erythromycin develops an increased plasma concentration of warfarin, resulting in an elevated INR and bleeding risk. Which pharmacokinetic mechanism best explains this interaction?
A. Reduced gastrointestinal absorption B. Inhibition of hepatic drug-metabolising enzymes C. Induction of CYP3A4 enzymes D. Increased renal tubular secretion
2. A weakly basic drug is formulated as an enteric-coated tablet. If the coating fails prematurely in the acidic environment of the stomach, what is the most likely formulation-related consequence? A. Reduced drug ionisation and increased lipid solubility B. Increased drug ionisation and possible reduced absorption C. Immediate conversion of the drug into its active metabolite D. Increased protection of the drug from gastric degradation
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has highlighted Nigeria’s regulatory reforms as an example of how African countries can build stronger and more reliable medicines regulatory systems.
Adeyeye made this known while speaking at the Global Health Perspectives series organised by the Takemi Program in International Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
The DG disclosed that the agency has made some improvement since 2017, particularly from below the World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 1 to Level 3. She also identified attaining Level 4 and becoming a WHO-Listed Authority as the agency’s next targets.
The NAFDAC boss attributed the agency’s transformation to five major areas of reform, including improved governance, stronger scientific and quality capabilities, better monitoring of medical products, digitalisation of regulatory processes and partnerships with industry and development organisations. She listed some of the agency’s achievements to include obtaining ISO 9001 certification, securing WHO prequalification for its laboratory, expanding laboratory capacity and strengthening enforcement activities.
Adeyeye also disclosed that about 90 per cent of NAFDAC’s regulatory processes have been digitised to improve efficiency and accountability.
She stressed the need for strong leadership, financial accountability, evidence-based decisions and international collaboration in tackling the circulation of substandard and falsified medical products.
The Director-General further emphasised the importance of supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturers while ensuring that the quality and safety of medicines are not compromised.
The lecture highlighted the role of sustained institutional reforms, investment in science and cooperation among regulatory agencies in improving access to safe and effective medical products across Africa.
Canvasses digital traceability, stronger supply-chain systems
A prominent Nigerian pharmacist and business development expert, Pharm. Remi Adeseun, has cautioned against relying mainly on raids and arrests to combat substandard and falsified medicines, urging regulators and pharmaceutical distributors to prioritise digital traceability, stronger supply-chain systems and coordinated action.
Adeseun, a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), gave the advice while delivering the keynote address at the fourth Thematic General Assembly of the African Pharmaceutical Distributors Association (APDA), hosted by the Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN) at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Advancing Pharmaceutical Distribution in Africa: Building Secure Supply Chains Against Falsified Medicines,” he said the fight against falsified medicines must address weaknesses in the systems through which medicines are manufactured, transported, stored and distributed, rather than depend mainly on law enforcement.
“If we treat falsified medicines mainly as a law enforcement problem, we will always arrive late to the problem,” he said, advocating an approach that combines regulatory oversight, technology, commercial responsibility and enforcement.
Adeseun explained that medicine quality depends not only on the product’s condition at the point of manufacture but also on how it is transported and stored. Citing oxytocin as an example, he referred to a study which, according to him, found that close to 60 per cent of the drug in the market had been denatured, warning that ineffective medicines could have devastating consequences for women requiring the drug during labour.
He identified the inability to establish the origin and movement of medicines as a major supply-chain vulnerability. Recalling efforts to curb benzodiazepine abuse, he said requiring community pharmacies to demonstrate the source of their products helps expose weaknesses in the distribution chain and trace supplies to wholesalers and manufacturers.
He added that shortages of legitimate medicines could encourage the circulation of falsified products, as patients and buyers might turn to questionable sources when registered pharmacies could not meet their needs.
The pharmacist therefore urged wholesalers and distributors to distinguish themselves from ordinary traders by investing in reliable distribution systems, maintaining professional standards and ensuring that customers could obtain legitimate medicines efficiently.
He called for closer integration between the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria’s proposed national electronic pharmacy platform and the traceability systems being implemented by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), warning that independently developed platforms could duplicate resources and undermine efficiency.
Adeseun also urged distributors to prepare for NAFDAC’s traceability requirements, noting that implementation for controlled substances is scheduled to become mandatory in January 2027, with expansion to other product categories expected by 2029.
He said digital traceability would help legitimate distributors distinguish themselves from unscrupulous operators, but cautioned that technology alone cannot secure the supply chain. Effective systems, he explained, requires reliable product identification, trusted digital identities, transaction records and interoperable data to track medicines throughout their journey.
He further warned against deploying artificial intelligence and sophisticated applications without reliable underlying data.
“Let’s not automate confusion, and let’s not start by building a roof first; let’s get the data practices strong from the beginning,” he said, noting that artificial intelligence could support demand forecasting but could not compensate for transactions that had never been recorded or replace professional accountability.
Adeseun advocated responsible data sharing among distributors, manufacturers and other stakeholders, saying properly analysed information could help identify shortages, improve forecasting and guide production towards unmet therapeutic needs.
He also urged distributors to support local pharmaceutical manufacturing and diversify their supply sources to improve resilience against international disruptions caused by conflicts and other emergencies. He called for collaboration across West Africa and the wider continent to build more dependable medicine supply networks.
On professional accountability, he urged distributors to verify their customers, ensure authorised procurement, comply with good distribution practices and avoid supplying outlets whose legitimacy they could not establish.
The keynote speaker challenged PWDAN and APDA to assess members’ digital readiness, identify operational gaps and develop measurable standards for distribution excellence. He said a recognised quality standard could distinguish professional distributors from ordinary traders, strengthen regulatory confidence and open opportunities for technical and financial support.
He further advised pharmaceutical businesses to prepare for cybersecurity risks arising from digitalisation, including putting appropriate insurance and recovery arrangements in place. He urged the associations to promote connected systems that could work with hospital records and public-sector distribution networks rather than create more isolated platforms.
All roads lead somewhere, but not every road leads to where you want to go. Therefore, before asking for directions, be sure of your destination. Have you ever seen someone asking for directions to a particular place? It can be disastrous to ask someone who does not know the destination to show you the way.
In life, everyone is heading somewhere, and it is your responsibility to know where you are going. Some people have a clear sense of direction, while many simply accept whatever situation they find themselves in as their lot.
Certain traits characterise people who have no clear vision of their life’s journey. Like someone who is unsure of his destination, they constantly depend on others for direction. They accept the counsel of equally uncertain people because they are not sure of themselves. Often, they follow popular opinion because they do not trust their own judgement. They imitate people they consider better or more successful.
If you are driving and looking for the correct turning or a landmark, you are likely to drive slowly and cautiously. In Lagos, many drivers have little patience with such motorists. They express their frustration by honking and sometimes using abusive language. Yet, being cautious is better than taking the wrong road simply because you are under pressure to move quickly.
There may be uncertainties that make you cautious about taking decisions and moving forward. However, excessive doubt and procrastination can waste valuable time. When your mind is clouded by fear and uncertainty, you may vacillate instead of acting. Such an attitude can prevent you from making meaningful progress.
Look at your friends and ask yourself whether they are helping you move towards your destination. A good friend is one who helps you become the person God created you to be. Your friends should be genuinely interested in your growth and success. Unfortunately, some people become envious of their friends’ achievements and speak about them disparagingly. Be careful about allowing people who have no sense of direction to determine yours.
Your daily habits also reveal much about you. How do you spend your morning hours? How early does your day begin? Some people spend their most productive hours on frivolities. The time lost in the morning cannot be recovered later in the day. My mother used to say that if the morning sun could not dry your clothes, the evening sun would not do it.
Your activities should be prioritised if they are to take you towards your desired destination. Do you have a ‘to-do’ list? Without some form of planning, you may spend your day attending to whatever comes before you while neglecting what is truly important.
As we grow older, we become more conscious of the proper use of time. Senior citizens, in particular, need to regulate their activities and conserve their time and energy. Meetings and social engagements should be evaluated because not everything demands our attention. Paul said: “I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is constructive (1 Corinthians 10:23, NIV).
Your library and the books you read can also reveal your goals and aspirations. At different stages of life, reading often becomes more focused. You move from general-interest books to acquiring specialised knowledge for a particular purpose. Continuous learning and self-development help to prepare you for the destination you have chosen.
Your leisure activities matter too. How much time do you spend sitting in front of the television? Excessive sedentary behaviour and insufficient physical activity are associated with several health problems, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. What programmes do you watch? Not everything that entertains you necessarily enriches you. Your choices can reveal your interests, passions and, sometimes, the direction of your life.
Your diet also has implications for your health and longevity. People who understand the value of their future should pay attention to what they eat and drink. Frequent consumption of sugary drinks and diets high in refined carbohydrates can contribute to unhealthy weight gain and increase the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
What about your hobbies? Are they developing you physically, mentally or spiritually? Are they enriching your life and making you more productive, or are they merely filling your spare time?
Above all, do you have quiet moments when you are alone with God? You need God’s presence to keep you on the right path. Moses understood this when he said, “If your Presence do
The Federal Government and the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency are targeting 130,000 children for polio vaccination in two local government areas of the state.
Dr Vasumu Jacob, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the agency, disclosed this at a media roundtable on Friday in Yola.
He said the campaign, implemented under the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) is scheduled for Nov. 5 to Nov. 12, targeting children aged zero to 59 months in Gombi and Fufore Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Jacob said the campaign was part of efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners to strengthen children’s immunity.
He explained that the intervention would cover selected high-risk areas across 19 states, including two priority LGAs in Adamawa.
According to him, the selection of Gombi and Fufore followed an assessment of immunisation coverage and previous outbreaks of circulating poliovirus.
“We looked at some risk factors, including immunisation coverage and outbreaks of circulating poliovirus in these LGAs over the years.
“We also considered data on routine immunisation coverage to identify priority areas for the intervention,” he said.
Jacob said the campaign would provide an opportunity to strengthen children’s immunity and prevent further transmission of poliovirus in the affected communities.
In his remarks, Babangida Usman, the Immunisation Focal Person, World Health Organization (WHO), reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the state government and other stakeholders.
Usman commended the Adamawa Government, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, development partners, traditional and religious leaders for their continued efforts towards polio eradication.
He described polio as a highly infectious disease that mainly affects children under five and could cause permanent paralysis.
“However, polio is preventable through safe and effective vaccination, every child missed during vaccination represents a potential risk to that child and other children in the community,” he said.
According to him, the campaign will help close immunity gaps, reach underserved communities and strengthen efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission.
He urged parents and caregivers in Gombi and Fufore to ensure that all eligible children received the vaccine, regardless of their previous vaccination history.
Usman also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and community influencers to intensify awareness campaigns and address misconceptions about vaccination.
He urged journalists to disseminate accurate information, counter vaccine misinformation and encourage parents to present their children for vaccination.
The WHO representative said the organisation would provide technical guidance, coordination, monitoring and operational support to ensure the campaign’s effectiveness.
Also speaking, Ms Ruth Chukwumereze, a representative of Corona Management Systems, commended the state government and the health agency for engaging the media ahead of the campaign.
She described the media as a critical partner in addressing misinformation and building public confidence in vaccination.
“The vaccine is safe, free and life-saving, our collective call to action is simple: let every eligible child be reached, wherever they are, including hard-to-reach settlements,” she said.
She called for collective efforts to ensure that no eligible child or community was left behind in the vaccination exercise.(NAN)
Published every month since its inception in 1979, Pharmanews is the largest circulating health periodical, covering all the 36 states of Nigeria and beyond. Pharmanews continues to break new grounds in health reportage and has established an enviable reputation in the healthcare sector and in the pharmaceutical industry, in particular.
Our website (www.pharmanewsonline.com) has become West Africa’s biggest online health news portal, attracting thousands of global visitors, especially healthcare professionals, on daily basis.
To appreciate readers and subscribers for their continuous patronage all these years, Pharmanews limited is offering free copies of Pharmanews (PDF format).
Attached to this post are copies of Pharmanews Journal PDF Edition from January 2020 to date.
NAPPSA President and distinguished guest at the 20th Annual Scientific Conference & Exposition.
Pharm. (Dr) Adekunle Tometi is the president of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA). In this Diaspora edition, he discusses key outcomes of the association’s recently concluded 20th Annual Scientific Conference and Expo, held at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Centre in Aurora, Colorado, USA. Drawing the attention of the Nigerian government to the bottlenecks hindering the scaling up of healthcare innovations, he stresses the urgency of addressing them to achieve meaningful healthcare reforms. He also highlights the need for Nigeria to develop structured collaboration platforms that will enable stakeholders, including pharmacists, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and technology developers, to work together to meet patients’ needs. Excerpts:
Congratulations on your successful 20th Annual NAPPSA Scientific Conference and Expo. From the theme of the conference, “Globalising Innovations in Healthcare: Bridging Science, Access and Impact”, what are the biggest barriers preventing healthcare innovations from moving from scientific discovery to widespread use, particularly in Nigeria?
Nigeria must address barriers preventing health innovations from moving into widespread use. The core barriers are fragmented systems, weak translational pathways, regulatory delays, inadequate manufacturing capacity, and limited investment in implementation science.
From the conference deliberations, several themes emerged. While Nigeria has brilliant scientists and innovators, the journey from discovery to widespread use is slowed by weak translational research infrastructure – discoveries rarely progress into prototypes, clinical validation, or commercialisation; regulatory bottlenecks – approval timelines for diagnostics, digital tools, and therapeutics remain slow and unpredictable; limited local manufacturing capacity, forcing reliance on imports and slowing adoption of new technologies; poor integration between academia, industry, and practice – innovations remain siloed; insufficient funding for scale-up and implementation science. Nigeria invests heavily in discovery but minimally in adoption pathways.
NAPPSA 2026 highlighted that innovation is not the challenge – translation is. How can Nigeria strengthen collaboration among pharmacists, researchers, pharmaceutical industries, policymakers and technology developers to ensure that locally developed healthcare innovations reach the patients who need them?
Nigeria needs structured collaboration platforms, shared innovation hubs, and policy-driven incentives that force cross-sector engagement. Key strategies include national innovation consortia that link universities, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and tech companies; pharmacy-led translational hubs modelled after NAPPSA’s diaspora networks, where pharmacists serve as the bridge between science and patient care; government-mandated multi-stakeholder review boards for new technologies, ensuring early alignment between regulators, industry, and innovators; joint funding schemes where government provides seed funding and industry provides scale-up capital; as well as diaspora–Nigeria innovation pipelines leveraging NAPPSA’s expertise to support mentorship, regulatory navigation, and commercialisation. To achieve all these strategies, collaboration must be institutionalised, not voluntary.
It has been observed that access remains a major challenge in healthcare, especially for patients in low- and middle-income countries.
What strategies should Nigeria adopt to make innovative medicines, diagnostics and digital health solutions both accessible and affordable?
Nigeria must combine policy reform, local manufacturing, reimbursement innovation, and digital infrastructure expansion. NAPPSA 2026 emphasised several actionable strategies, including: Expand local manufacturing through tax incentives, technology transfer agreements, and diasporasupported GMP training; adopt valuebased reimbursement models, so innovative therapies are covered based on outcomes, not cost alone; strengthen NHIA coverage for diagnostics, chronic disease management tools, and digital health services; invest in digital infrastructure -broadband access, interoperable health records, and telehealth reimbursement; bulk procurement and pooled purchasing for innovative medicines to reduce cost; public–private partnerships to subsidise highimpact technologies used in everyday diagnostic, testing, and AIenabled tools. Nigeria must treat access as a policy priority, not an afterthought.
What role can Nigerian pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists play in global health innovation, rather than simply adopting innovations developed in other countries?
Nigerian professionals must shift from consumers of innovation to co-creators and global contributors. NAPPSA 2026 showcased how Nigerian pharmacists can lead globally by driving practice-based research in community and hospital settings; participating in global clinical trials through diaspora-supported site development; developing context-specific digital health tools for chronic disease management, maternal health, and infectious diseases; leading pharmacovigilance and realworld evidence generation across Africa; and contributing to global manufacturing and supply chain resilience through Nigeria’s emerging pharmaceutical industrial zones.
Pharmacists are uniquely positioned because they sit at the intersection of science, patient care, and policy.
How important is investment in research and development to Nigeria’s ability to develop home-grown healthcare solutions, and what changes are needed in government and private-sector funding of health research?
Nigeria must triple its R&D investment, diversify funding sources, and create incentives for private-sector participation. Key changes needed include: Increase national R&D spending from <0.5 per cent of GDP to at least 2 per cent over five years; create competitive grant programmes for translational research, not just academic studies; offer tax credits for pharmaceutical companies investing in R&D; establish innovation funds jointly financed by government, banks, and private investors; and support diasporaled research collaborations through NAPPSA and similar bodies. R&D is the foundation of homegrown innovation. Without investment, Nigeria will remain dependent on imports.
As artificial intelligence, digital health, precision medicine and other emerging technologies transform healthcare, how can Nigeria embrace these innovations while addressing concerns around regulation, patient safety, data protection and health inequities?
Nigeria must adopt a “responsible innovation” framework: embracing new technologies while protecting patients. NAPPSA 2026 emphasised developing national AI and digital health regulations aligned with global standards; strengthening data protection laws and enforcing compliance in healthcare settings; training pharmacists and clinicians in AI literacy, digital therapeutics, and genomic medicine; ensuring equitable access by subsidising digital tools for rural and underserved populations; creating regulatory sandboxes where innovators can test technologies under supervision; and building national health data repositories with strict governance. Nigeria must innovate with guardrails.
Looking ahead, what measurable impact would you like to see from the globalisation of healthcare innovations in Nigeria, and what should the government, professional bodies and industry do now to make that impact a reality?
Nigeria should aim for measurable improvements in access, outcomes, manufacturing capacity, and global competitiveness. Desired measurable impacts include reduced diagnostic delays for cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic conditions; increased local manufacturing of essential and innovative medicines; expanded NHIA coverage for digital health and precision medicine; improved patient outcomes through AIenabled decision support; greater participation in global clinical trials and research networks; and stronger export capacity for Nigerian pharmaceutical products.
To achieve this, government, professional bodies, and industry must implement a national innovation roadmap aligned with NAPPSA’s diaspora expertise; invest in infrastructure – labs, manufacturing plants, digital networks; reform regulatory processes for speed, transparency, and innovation-friendliness; support workforce development through continuous professional training; and create incentives for private-sector investment in R&D and manufacturing. Nigeria must move from aspiration to execution.
Forty is often rightly described as a milestone, but it is also a crucial point at which to take a closer look at the heart. By this age, years of diet, physical activity, stress, sleep, blood pressure and other influences have begun to leave their mark on the cardiovascular system.
The heart does not suddenly become vulnerable at 40, but the cumulative effect of earlier choices can become increasingly important. What happens in the next few decades may depend, in part, on what attention is paid to cardiovascular health now.
This is critical because cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organisation estimates that 19.8 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2022, representing about 32 per cent of all deaths globally. More than three-quarters of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
For anyone approaching middle age, therefore, looking after the heart should not be postponed until retirement.
What changes with age?
As we grow older, the heart and blood vessels undergo gradual changes. Arteries can become less flexible, making it harder for them to expand and contract as efficiently as they did when we were younger. The heart may also become less able to respond quickly to physical demands.
These changes are part of normal ageing and do not necessarily mean that a person has heart disease. The greater concern is what happens when normal ageing is combined with years of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity or an unhealthy diet. In other words, a 50-year-old person may have an older cardiovascular system than another person of the same age because of accumulated risk factors.
Blood pressure deserves attention
Among the threats to the ageing heart, high blood pressure is particularly important because it can remain unnoticed for years.
WHO estimates that 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide had hypertension in 2024. Yet about 44 per cent of people with the condition were unaware that they had it. The Nigerian situation is particularly grim. WHO data put the age-standardised prevalence of hypertension among Nigerians aged 30 to 79 at about 36 per cent in 2019. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis involving more than 49,000 Nigerian adults estimated a pooled prevalence of 34.2 per cent, although the researchers noted considerable variation between studies.
Persistent high blood pressure places extra strain on the heart and damages blood vessels. Over time, it can contribute to heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and other complications.
The years begin to count
Cardiovascular health is determined over the life course. The habits that may seem harmless in one’s 20s and 30s can become more significant when repeated for decades. For example, smoking, physical inactivity, excess salt, an unhealthy diet, poor sleep and uncontrolled blood pressure or blood sugar can gradually increase cardiovascular risk. This is why the years after 40 are a useful time to become more deliberate about heart health, rather than waiting for symptoms.
The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 brings these considerations together: eating well, being physically active, avoiding nicotine, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling cholesterol, managing blood sugar, controlling blood pressure and getting adequate sleep.
Protecting the heart for the years ahead
This is not to say 40 is a deadline. It is better viewed as an opportunity to take stock. Regular blood pressure checks and appropriate assessment of cholesterol and blood glucose can reveal problems before they become obvious.
Physical activity, a balanced diet and adequate sleep also support cardiovascular health. Adults are generally advised to aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and sleep is now recognised as one of the American Heart Association’s eight key measures of cardiovascular health.
For people already living with hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol, proper treatment and adherence to prescribed medicines are equally important.
The heart does not just age. It bears the history of years of habits, illnesses, exposures and care. Growing older may be inevitable, but much of the damage that makes cardiovascular ageing dangerous is preventable or manageable. The earlier that work begins, the more healthy years the heart may have ahead.
DP World Healthcare Nigeria and its partner formalise their strategic partnership through the signing of the agreement.
DP World Healthcare Nigeria has partnered with indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturer Miraflash Nigeria Limited to strengthen pharmaceutical distribution, expand access to locally manufactured medicines and improve healthcare supply chain efficiency across Nigeria.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 14 October, marking Miraflash’s integration into DP World Healthcare’s nationwide pharmaceutical distribution network.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Pharm. Chief Moses Oluwalade, managing director of Miraflash Nigeria Limited, said the collaboration would help address longstanding distribution and infrastructure challenges that have limited the company’s growth despite more than two decades of producing quality medicines.
According to him, DP World Healthcare’s extensive logistics capabilities, warehousing infrastructure and operational expertise provide the ideal platform for expanding Miraflash’s reach and ensuring wider availability of its products across the country.
“Effective distribution is as important as manufacturing in healthcare delivery. Medicines require strict storage and handling conditions to maintain their quality and efficacy. Through DP World Healthcare’s warehouse network spanning Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, we expect improved market accessibility, faster delivery timelines and broader nationwide coverage,” Oluwalade stated.
Also speaking at the event, Naveen Pala, managing director of DP World Healthcare Nigeria, described Miraflash as a reputable indigenous pharmaceutical company whose product portfolio complements DP World Healthcare’s expanding healthcare business.
He emphasised DP World Healthcare’s more than 25 years of proven expertise in pharmaceutical distribution, regulatory affairs, demand generation, marketing support, cold-chain logistics and pharmaceutical warehousing, positioning the company as a trusted one-stop partner delivering integrated healthcare solutions.
“Miraflash has built a strong reputation for quality and innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. We are delighted to partner with the organisation and support its next phase of growth through our robust distribution and healthcare infrastructure,” Pala said.
He disclosed that DP World Healthcare currently operates 11 pharmaceutical-grade warehouses across Nigeria and plans to expand its footprint to between 15 and 20 facilities over the next two years.
According to him, the company’s investment in advanced cold-chain capabilities and decentralised distribution infrastructure is designed to improve product availability, accelerate delivery times and enhance service quality nationwide.
DP World Healthcare Nigeria and its partners celebrate the signing ceremony, bringing together senior executives from both organisations to mark a milestone in their partnership and commitment to advancing healthcare in Nigeria.
Pala further emphasised that the partnership presents a significant opportunity for Miraflash to scale its manufacturing operations, broaden its product portfolio and strengthen its market presence, while also supporting DP World Healthcare’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical value chain.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior executives from both organisations, including Gugulethu Mayisela, vice-president, Finance – Healthcare Africa; Mani Balasubramanian, vice-president, Finance – Healthcare West Africa; Shettipalli Chakradhar, head of finance; and Ananth Sigadapu, business unit head, representing DP World Healthcare Nigeria.
World Mental Health Day 2026 was observed globally on Saturday, 10 October, under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.” The theme emphasises the need for empathy in efforts to safeguard the mental health of individuals and populations.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it seeks to amplify the perspectives of people living with mental health conditions and to ensure that their experiences inform the policies, services and decisions that affect their lives. It also reflects a reorientation towards more compassionate and inclusive approaches to care, and challenges the stigma, discrimination and neglect that have long afflicted those affected.
In Nigeria, the day was commemorated through advocacy campaigns, symposia, community walks and free medical outreaches. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urged the Federal Government to treat mental health as a fundamental human rights concern rather than a purely medical one.
In Lagos State, the First Lady, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, joined the Orunsii Wellcare Foundation in Badagry to promote safe spaces and challenge stigma, while Lions International District 404B5 held an awareness programme and community walk at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba.
At a football-based outreach in Mushin, organised by the Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) in partnership with Grassroot Soccer, experts noted that one in six Nigerians aged 15 to 24 experiences mental health challenges. Elsewhere, the Department of Psychiatry of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and the University College Hospital hosted a symposium on person-centred mental health services, while the Anambra State Government highlighted its investments in rehabilitation, psychiatric care and free assessments.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and substance abuse experts stressed early intervention and family support, given the link between mental health conditions and drug abuse. The Nigerian Bar Association also called for confidential welfare support for legal practitioners.
The NHRC is working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to integrate human rights principles into the National Mental Health Strategic Plan for 2027 to 2032, according to its Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN). Ojukwu expressed concern that fewer than three per cent of people with mental health conditions are covered by health insurance, which leaves families to bear much of the financial and emotional burden of care.
The commission also raised alarm over the mistreatment of vulnerable persons, including children and adults held in solitary confinement or subjected to other inhumane treatment, and disclosed that it had intervened in cases in Kano State and the Federal Capital Territory. It has established a Counselling Unit at its Abuja headquarters for victims traumatised by rights violations and for staff under stress, and has trained its investigators on the relationship between mental health and human rights.
The NHRC’s commitment deserves the support of all stakeholders, including governments, mental health professionals, religious leaders, patients and their families. Mental illness is not a death sentence. Many conditions can be managed with appropriate care and support, while the dignity and rights of patients are protected.
Families and religious leaders should therefore seek the assistance of qualified professionals, rather than subject patients to harmful practices such as chaining them in churches or other religious settings in the belief that prayer alone is sufficient. Spiritual support, where desired, should complement, and not replace, medical and psychological care.
The importance of lived experience cannot be overstated. People who have recovered from mental health challenges can offer encouragement to others, inspire them to seek treatment and sustain hope for the future. Government should therefore invest in programmes that bring together professionals, affected individuals, families and communities, and that allow people with lived experience to share their stories and contribute to public education and policy development.
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) estimates that about 60 million Nigerians face mental health challenges, and has called for the full enforcement of mental health laws. The situation demands coordinated and sustained action, particularly as substance abuse among young people becomes a serious concern. Parents, communities, psychiatrists and law enforcement agencies must work together to consolidate progress and expand access to care.
Government must also recognise the economic cost of untreated conditions, especially among young and productive members of the population. Investment in mental healthcare is not merely a social responsibility; it is essential to protecting human potential, strengthening families and supporting national development.
Nigeria has become the 34th African Union member state to ratify the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty, a move expected to strengthen medicines regulation and improve public health across the continent.
The announcement was made by the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Ambassador A. Twum-Amoah, during the inaugural AMA Week in Kigali, Rwanda, which runs from 25 to 30 October, 2026.
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, described the development as a major step towards improving access to safe and quality medicines in Africa.
According to Adeyeye, Nigeria’s participation would support efforts to harmonise medicines regulation across African countries, particularly in tackling substandard and falsified medical products. She added that the ratification would also promote pharmaceutical innovation, strengthen local drug manufacturing and improve health security across the continent.
Adeyeye noted that the development creates opportunities for closer collaboration between NAFDAC, the AMA and other national and regional regulatory bodies.
She stressed the need to translate the ratification into practical action through information sharing, scientific cooperation, regulatory capacity development and stronger institutional partnerships.
The NAFDAC boss said the success of the AMA would depend on its ability to ensure that Africans have access to safe, effective, quality-assured and affordable medicines.
She further explained that the effectiveness of the agency would depend partly on the capacity and maturity of national medicines regulatory authorities across the continent.
Adeyeye described Nigeria’s ratification as more than a diplomatic achievement, saying it represents an investment in Africa’s health security, pharmaceutical independence and sustainable development.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to harmonising nursing and midwifery training standards across ECOWAS member states to improve healthcare quality, promote professional mobility and strengthen regional health systems.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, minister of health and social welfare, said this in Abuja at a regional workshop on harmonised accreditation criteria for nursing and midwifery training institutions.
Pate, represented by Dr Dakum Londji, Nigeria’s Liaison officer to WAHO/African Union at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, declared the workshop open.
The workshop was organised by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to finalise regional accreditation criteria for nursing and midwifery training institutions.
He said the initiative would strengthen professional standards, promote regional collaboration and improve healthcare delivery by ensuring nursing and midwifery institutions provided quality education and produced competent graduates.
According to him, nurses and midwives remain the backbone of healthcare systems, with their knowledge, compassion and dedication essential to improving population health and well-being across communities.
He said harmonised accreditation standards would ensure training institutions met established educational requirements and produced graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to provide safe, effective healthcare.
Pate described accreditation as more than a regulatory requirement, saying it represented a strategic investment in patient safety, quality healthcare and the future of health systems across West Africa.
He added that common accreditation standards across ECOWAS member states would promote professional mobility, strengthen regional cooperation and enhance public confidence in healthcare services throughout the sub-region.
The minister emphasised that investing in nursing and midwifery education was essential to building healthier communities, safer healthcare systems and a stronger future for the West African region.
He commended WAHO leadership, representatives of ECOWAS member states and other stakeholders for participating in efforts to strengthen nursing, midwifery and health professional education across the region.
Pate urged participants to work collectively towards achieving the workshop’s objectives, emphasising that unity and collaboration were essential to sustainable progress in regional healthcare development and professional training.
Also, Dr Bosede Arogundade, WAHO Professional Officer for Nursing and Midwifery, said the organisation was working to harmonise training curricula and establish common accreditation standards across ECOWAS member states.
Arogundade said this during a presentation on WAHO’s efforts to harmonise nursing and midwifery education, explaining that the initiative aimed to improve training quality and address disparities across countries.
She said the workshop sought to review, harmonise and finalise minimum regional accreditation criteria for nursing and midwifery institutions to promote quality assurance and comparable educational standards across member states.
According to her, the initiative formed part of WAHO’s mandate to strengthen health workforce development, improve professional recognition and facilitate movement of qualified health workers across member states and countries.
Arogundade said the harmonisation process was rooted in regional commitments to strengthen cooperation in education, training, employment and human resource development across West Africa and its member countries.
She cited Article 60 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, which encouraged member states to cooperate in developing human resources and harmonising education and training policies and programmes across the region.
She added that the treaty encouraged exchanges among educational institutions, recognition of academic and professional qualifications, and establishment of regional centres of excellence in specialised disciplines across West Africa.
According to her, these provisions supported mutual recognition of professional qualifications, facilitating freedom of movement, residence and establishment for skilled health workers across the region and its member states.
Arogundade said the initiative was increasingly important because of persistent health workforce shortages, differences in training standards and continuing brain drain across West Africa and neighbouring countries.
She explained that the process gained momentum in 2006 following a special resolution of the 59th World Health Assembly on rapidly strengthening human resources for health across member states.
She said ECOWAS health ministers subsequently adopted a resolution calling for harmonised curricula for health professionals across member states, laying the foundation for WAHO’s regional programme and future interventions.
Arogundade said WAHO began implementing the programme in 2007 with a workshop on diploma and certificate equivalencies, followed by a health workforce assessment meeting in 2008 across the region.
She said the first multidisciplinary curriculum harmonisation exercise took place in 2009, with the initial review completed in 2010 and subsequent reviews conducted at five-year intervals across participating countries.
Arogundade said nursing and midwifery education initially faced significant disparities, including differences in qualification titles, duration of study, admission requirements and regulatory arrangements across member states and training institutions.
She said that some countries lacked regulatory bodies for the professions, making it difficult to establish consistent standards and ensure comparable nursing and midwifery qualifications across the sub-region.
She said WAHO subsequently harmonised basic and post-basic nursing and midwifery curricula, establishing equivalencies between Francophone and Anglophone training programmes in spite of differences in their educational structures and systems.
According to her, the process established equivalence between six-year training programmes in Francophone countries and five-year programmes in Anglophone countries to promote comparable professional standards across the region.
She said the initiative also identified essential competencies nurses and midwives needed to provide safe, effective and high-quality care across different healthcare settings in the region and communities.
These competencies included managing clinical conditions, supporting community health interventions, applying nursing and midwifery research methods, and providing preventive, promotional and rehabilitative care for mothers and children across communities.
Arogundade said the framework also emphasised managing medical and surgical conditions and providing culturally appropriate care during pregnancy, labour and childbirth to improve outcomes for women and newborns across the region.
She emphasised that strengthening nursing and midwifery education was critical to reducing maternal and newborn deaths, particularly given the continuing burden of maternal mortality across West African countries and communities.
According to her, properly trained nurses and midwives should be equipped to manage obstetric and neonatal emergencies, including postpartum haemorrhage, and provide timely interventions to save lives across communities.
She explained that WAHO’s harmonisation process began with a situational analysis to identify differences in national training systems and determine gaps requiring regional intervention across member states.
She said the organisation subsequently developed a common regional framework with stakeholders, including professional bodies, training institutions, regulatory authorities and regional and international organisations across West Africa.
Arogundade listed WAHO’s achievements to include minimum training benchmarks, equivalencies for nursing and midwifery qualifications, continuing professional development programmes and e-learning opportunities for rural health workers across the region.
She added that the organisation continued training trainers in critical intervention areas and developing implementation roadmaps to strengthen professional development, improve retention and reduce health worker migration across member states.
She said collaboration among member states had facilitated exchanges of skills, knowledge, teaching resources and equipment while encouraging partnerships between public and private institutions involved in health workforce development across West Africa.
According to her, the harmonisation initiative had become a flagship regional integration programme, with WAHO increasingly sharing its experience with stakeholders interested in harmonising health professional curricula across the region.
In spite of progress, she identified inadequate funding, insufficient training and retraining opportunities, workforce attrition, and persistent difficulties motivating and retaining health professionals as major challenges facing member states.
She added that further harmonisation of postgraduate specialities remained necessary, while limited financial support from member states and a shortage of development partners constrained health workforce capacity development across the region.
Arogundade said WAHO intended to train more health professionals, maximise existing training facilities, strengthen South-South collaboration and support countries implementing harmonised curricula across nursing and midwifery institutions throughout West Africa.
She said the organisation would also advocate improved employment packages for health workers in rural and hard-to-reach communities while evaluating implementation of curricula harmonised over the years across member states.
She urged stakeholders to support finalisation and implementation of regional accreditation criteria, emphasising that common standards would strengthen quality assurance and improve comparability in nursing and midwifery education across the region.
Arogundade said the workshop’s objectives included reviewing proposed accreditation criteria, ensuring consistency and applicability across member states, and consolidating minimum standards for nursing and midwifery training institutions throughout the region.
She expressed optimism that the workshop would produce a harmonised, finalised accreditation framework for dissemination and adoption by nursing and midwifery training institutions throughout the ECOWAS region and its member states.
She reaffirmed WAHO’s commitment to strengthening health workforce training, development, motivation and retention, adding that regional cooperation would improve healthcare quality and advance universal health coverage across West Africa.
Arogundade called on stakeholders to sustain collaboration in nursing and midwifery education, noting that coordinated action was essential to professional mobility, knowledge exchange and stronger regional health systems across member states.(NAN)
1. A patient taking clopidogrel experiences reduced antiplatelet activity after starting another medication. Which enzyme-related interaction most directly explains this effect? A. Metformin inhibition of CYP2C19 B. Amoxicillin inhibition of CYP2C19 C. Omeprazole inhibition of CYP2C19 D. Rifampicin inhibition of CYP2C19
2. Which pharmacokinetic parameter is most directly used to estimate the total systemic exposure to a drug after a single dose? A. Elimination half-life (t½) B. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) C. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) D. Time to maximum concentration (Tmax)
3. A 10-year-old child with suspected PANS presents with severe OCD symptoms and anxiety. The multidisciplinary team considers initiating fluoxetine. Which pharmacological consideration is MOST important when initiating treatment in this patient? A. Start at a low dose and titrate cautiously while monitoring for behavioural activation, increased agitation and suicidal ideation B. Fluoxetine should be started at the standard adult dose because its long half-life prevents toxicity in children C. Fluoxetine should be combined routinely with haloperidol to prevent serotonin-related adverse effects D. Fluoxetine produces immediate anti-obsessional effects through direct dopamine receptor blockade
4. A child with PANS has received repeated courses of azithromycin for presumed infectious triggers. The pharmacist reviews the prescription and notes a history of congenital long-QT syndrome. Which is the MOST appropriate pharmaceutical intervention? A. Increase the azithromycin dose to shorten treatment duration and minimise cardiac exposure B. Continue azithromycin because macrolides have no clinically significant cardiac effects in children C. Recommend switching automatically to clarithromycin because it does not affect cardiac repolarisation D. Flag the QT-prolongation risk, recommend avoiding azithromycin where possible and discuss an appropriate alternative with the prescriber
You walked into a supermarket, reached for a familiar tin or sachet, and carried on with the rest of your shopping. Today, that same trip can leave many people standing in the dairy aisle far longer than they expected.
I remember shopping at one of the supermarkets when I noticed a young couple standing in front of the milk shelf. They had been there for what felt like ten minutes, carefully picking up one product after another, turning the packs over to read the labels before placing them back.
The wife was scrolling through Instagram, almost desperately, as though she hoped someone had recently posted the answer to the question they were trying to solve.
“Which milk should we buy?”
I couldn’t help but overhear parts of their conversation. Interestingly, they weren’t comparing brands or prices. They were trying to understand the different options available. Should they choose dairy milk or a non-dairy alternative? And if dairy was the right choice, what exactly was the difference between Full Cream Milk and Filled Milk? They wanted to make the right choice but weren’t sure what those terms meant.
Eventually, I smiled and walked over.
“Hello,” I said. “I’m sorry to interrupt. I’m a dietitian, and from what I’ve overheard, I think I can help explain the differences.”
Within a few minutes, what had seemed like a complicated shopping decision suddenly became much clearer. They thanked me, picked the product that best suited what they were looking for and continued with the rest of their shopping.
That encounter reminded me of something I have observed repeatedly throughout my years of practice: many consumers assume that milk is simply… milk.
Yet today’s supermarket shelves tell a very different story. Before deciding which milk to buy, many consumers are first faced with an important question: Should I choose dairy milk or a non-dairy alternative? For those who choose dairy milk, there is another decision to make. Understanding the difference between Full Cream Milk, Filled Milk and age-appropriate milk products is key to choosing the option that best meets their needs.
The challenge is that these differences aren’t always obvious to the average shopper.
As a result, many people make their decisions based on familiarity, price or attractive packaging rather than understanding what the product was designed to do.
Making informed food choices doesn’t always begin with eating something different. Sometimes, it begins with simply understanding what you’re buying.
And that’s exactly where we’ll begin.
Understanding the two main milk options
When we think about the milk aisle, it can sometimes feel as though there are endless options. The first decision is much simpler than many people realise.
Broadly speaking, there is Dairy milk and non-dairy milk
Dairy milk comes from animals, most commonly cows, although goat’s and sheep’s milk are also consumed in many parts of the world. It naturally provides high-quality protein, calcium and several essential vitamins and minerals that support growth, bone health and overall wellbeing.
For consumers who choose dairy milk, there is one more decision to make.
Not all dairy milk products are the same.
Within the dairy category, the two most common options consumers will come across are Full Cream Milk and Filled Milk. While both are dairy products and both provide important nutrients, they differ in their fat composition and are designed to meet different nutritional needs and consumer preferences.
Understanding these differences is the next step in choosing the milk that’s right for you.
Understanding your options
Standing in that supermarket, I realised the couple weren’t just trying to choose a brand. They were trying to understand which type of dairy milk best suited their needs.
Once you’ve decided that dairy milk is the right choice for you, the next step is understanding the different dairy products available. Peak’s dairy range, for example, includes Full Cream Milk, Filled Milk and Peak 456 Growing-Up Milk. Although they all contain dairy ingredients, each has been developed to meet different nutritional needs and life stages.
Rather than thinking of these as different versions of the same product, it helps to think of each one as serving a different purpose. Peak Full Cream Milk is designed to provide complete dairy nutrition for everyday family use. Peak Filled Milk, on the other hand, offers consumers another dairy option with a different fat composition while still providing important nutrients such as protein and calcium. Peak 456 Growing-Up Milk is specially formulated to support the nutritional needs of children aged four to six years.
Understanding what each product is designed to do makes choosing the right one much easier.
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Peak full cream milk
When most people think of milk, Full Cream Milk is usually what comes to mind.
Made from whole cow’s milk, it naturally contains milk fat, giving it the rich, creamy taste many people enjoy. It also provides complete dairy nutrition by supplying high-quality protein, calcium and a range of essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to bone health, muscle function and overall wellbeing.
One example within this category is Peak Full Cream Milk, which is available in both powdered and evaporated formats. Its versatility makes it suitable for drinking, breakfast cereals, smoothies, tea, coffee, cooking and baking, making it a practical choice for everyday family use.
Best suited for: Families looking for complete dairy nutrition for everyday use.
Peak filled milk
Filled Milk is a dairy milk product in which part or all the natural milk fat has been replaced with vegetable oils. While this gives it a different fat composition from Full Cream Milk, it continues to provide important nutrients such as high-quality protein, calcium and essential vitamins. Peak Filled Milk offers consumers another dairy milk option that combines these nutritional benefits with a different fat composition to suit varying dietary preferences.
Rather than thinking of Filled Milk as “better” or “worse” than Full Cream Milk, it is more helpful to understand that each product has been developed to meet different consumer needs. The right choice depends on your nutritional requirements, health goals and personal preferences.
Best suited for: Consumers looking for a dairy milk option with a different fat composition.
Peak 456 growing-up milk
Children have different nutritional needs at different stages of growth, which is why age-appropriate milk products have an important role in supporting a balanced diet.
Peak 456 Growing-Up Milk is specially formulated for children aged four to six years. In addition to providing high-quality protein and calcium, it is fortified with essential vitamins and DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that supports normal brain development during childhood.
By providing nutrients tailored to this stage of growth, Peak 456 helps support the nutritional needs of young children as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Best suited for: Children aged 4–6 years.
A simple guide to choosing the right milk
Choosing the right milk doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you understand what each product is designed to do, the decision becomes much simpler.
If you’re looking for…
A suitable option is…
Complete dairy nutrition for the family
Peak Full Cream Milk
A dairy milk option with a different fat composition
Peak Filled Milk
Nutrition designed for children aged 4–6 years
Peak 456 Growing-Up Milk
Before adding any dairy milk product to your shopping basket, ask yourself three simple questions:
Which dairy milk do I need? Full Cream or Filled milk
Who am I buying this product for?
Does this product meet my nutritional needs and suit how I intend to use it?
Answering these questions can help you move beyond attractive packaging or familiarity and choose the product that best suits your needs and those of your family.
Choosing with confidence
Standing in that supermarket, I realised the young couple weren’t looking for the “best” milk. They were looking for clarity.
Like many consumers, they simply wanted to understand the options available, and which one best suited their needs. Their questions weren’t unusual. They reflected the uncertainty many shoppers experience when faced with more choice than ever before.
The good news is that having more options isn’t a problem. In fact, it’s an advantage. The first step is to know that there is dairy milk and non- dairy milk.
For those who choose dairy milk, understanding the difference between Full Cream Milk, Filled Milk and age-appropriate milk products makes choosing the right option much easier.
The key is understanding the purpose of each product. Once we understand those differences, choosing milk becomes less about guesswork and more about making informed decisions for ourselves and our families.
After all, making informed nutrition decisions doesn’t begin when we pour milk into a cup. It begins with the knowledge and confidence to choose wisely. So, know your milk.
– As stakeholders call for innovation, quality, collaboration in pharma sector
A cross-section of dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the Ogun State Zone of NAIP Week, held recently.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has projected that about 60 per cent of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Nigeria will meet global Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards by this time next year.
The agency also disclosed that drug imports into the country have dropped by more than 70 per cent, from over 450 billion metric tonnes in 2021 to about 100 billion metric tonnes currently, as local pharmaceutical manufacturing continues to expand.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this recently at the opening ceremony of the 2026 week of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Ogun State Zone, held at Ijoko, Ogun State.
Adeyeye who was represented by the Chief Regulatory Officer and Lead GMP Inspector at NAFDAC, Pharmacist Samson Fatoki, said the significant improvement in GMP compliance is the result of several regulatory reforms and interventions introduced by NAFDAC to strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and improve the quality of medicines produced in Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme, “Production Innovation, Quality Standard: Collaboration and Advancement in Technology of Pharmaceutical Industry in Nigeria,” the NAFDAC boss said the agency is encouraged by the progress being made by local manufacturers and is confident that the industry would achieve a much higher level of compliance in the coming year.
She said the number of pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in Nigeria had increased from 165 in 2019 to 184 as of September 2026, while the percentage of manufacturers meeting GMP standards has also risen substantially.
According to her, only about five per cent of manufacturers met GMP standards in 2019, while about 32 per cent were compliant as of March 2026. She added that the figure is gradually approaching 40 per cent based on the latest inspections.
“I can tell you that, based on the figures that we have and what we are seeing during our site inspections, by this time next year, we should be having about 60 per cent of our manufacturers meeting global GMP standards”, she said.
Adeyeye described the anticipated improvement as a major development for the pharmaceutical industry, saying it would further strengthen confidence in medicines manufactured in Nigeria and create opportunities for greater investment in the sector.
She said the progress has already begun to attract foreign direct investment, with foreign companies showing increasing interest in establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing operations or partnering with Nigerian manufacturers.
The NAFDAC DG recalled that the GMP roadmap carried out between 2017 and 2019, with support from UNIDO and the United States, had revealed that more than 85 per cent of pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria were classified as high-risk, while less than five per cent were meeting the required quality standards at the time.
She said NAFDAC subsequently introduced several measures to reverse the situation, including mandatory layout reviews, centralised GMP inspections, risk-based regulatory approaches and increased engagement with manufacturers.
Adeyeye said the agency has reviewed more than 200 pharmaceutical plant layout applications since 2021, covering new facilities as well as existing manufacturers upgrading their plants to comply with World Health Organisation GMP requirements.
She noted that many manufacturers had responded positively by retrofitting old facilities, constructing new plants and investing in modern manufacturing technologies. According to her, the regulatory reforms were also contributing to a gradual reduction in Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines.
“In 2021, we had more than 450 billion metric tonnes of drugs into the country. As of today, it has dropped to about 100 billion metric tonnes. There has been a drastic reduction. That’s more than 70 per cent”, she said.
She attributed part of the development to the 5+5 regulatory policy, which provides a framework for importers of certain medicines to migrate their products to local manufacturing. Under the policy, she explained, importers are given an initial five-year window and another five years, after which they are expected to establish local manufacturing capacity for the affected products.
Adeyeye said the policy has encouraged several companies previously dependent on imports to establish manufacturing facilities in Nigeria, while local manufacturers have also expanded their capacity.
She also disclosed that NAFDAC has expanded its ceiling list from nine to 36 products, preventing the importation of medicines that Nigerian manufacturers have demonstrated the capacity to produce locally.
As of March 2026, she said, 78 products had shown potential for migration to local manufacturing, adding that the trend is expected to continue as regulatory policies increasingly favour domestic production.
She urged pharmaceutical manufacturers to embrace innovation and technological advancement, warning that the rapidly changing global pharmaceutical environment means that the Nigerian industry cannot afford to remain tied to outdated manufacturing practices.
Adeyeye said developments in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, personalised medicines and advanced therapy medicinal products are changing the global healthcare landscape, stressing that Nigerian manufacturers must position themselves to benefit from the emerging opportunities.
She also highlighted NAFDAC’s efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain through technology-driven initiatives such as the Scan to Verify application, NAFDAC Green Book, MedSafety application and Mobile Authentication Service.
According to her, the initiatives would help consumers and healthcare professionals verify medicines and guard against the infiltration of substandard and falsified products into the supply chain.
She further disclosed that NAFDAC is working towards attaining WHO Maturity Level Four and advancing its participation in international regulatory frameworks, including the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S). Adeyeye said improved regulatory standards will not only protect public health but also position Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers to compete favourably in international markets.
Also speaking, the Father of the Day and Managing Director of Jawa International, Chief Varkey Verghese, called on pharmaceutical manufacturers to make continuous innovation a priority, particularly in product formulation, packaging and production processes.
Verghese said innovation have transformed different sectors globally and should equally drive the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria. He cited developments in drug formulations and packaging as examples of how innovation could make medicines easier to administer, transport and produce, urging manufacturers to continually explore new technologies and formulations.
He commended Nigeria’s progress in pharmaceutical regulation and expressed optimism that the country’s movement towards WHO Maturity Level Four would further boost confidence in medicines manufactured locally.
He said compliance with regulatory requirements should be regarded as part of the pharmaceutical industry’s ethical responsibility rather than merely a requirement imposed by regulators. “The pharmaceutical industry plays a critical role in safeguarding public health, and maintaining the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines must remain our collective priority”, he said.
He also stressed the importance of pharmacovigilance and post-marketing surveillance, saying continuous monitoring of medicines after regulatory approval is necessary to identify safety concerns and protect patients.
The NAIP National Chairman, Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Ezebuilo who was represented by Pharmacist Emeka Ndineche, commended the Ogun State Zone for its contributions to the development of the association.
He described Ogun NAIP as one of the most reliable branches of the association and urged the state chapter to sustain its achievements while scaling up its activities. He assured the chapter of the national body’s continued support, saying the leadership is encouraged by what the Ogun State zone had achieved.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of NAIP Ogun State Zone, Pharmacist (Mrs.) SerahPearl Kolade, called for greater cooperation among pharmacists, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other stakeholders to strengthen the pharmaceutical industry in the state. Kolade stressed the importance of collaboration, innovation and quality production in addressing the challenges confronting the pharmaceutical sector.
The event featured two plenary sessions involving experts from the pharmaceutical industry. The first plenary, with the topic “Safeguarding Medicines: Advancing Innovation, Compliance and Patient Trust,” was moderated by the Production Head, May & Baker Plc, Pharm. Ariike Mbaneme; while the second plenary, with the topic, “Ensuring Drug Product Safety: Control Strategies from Development to Distribution,” was moderated by Pharm. Emmanuel Ogana, Superintendent Pharmacist at Ranbaxy-Sun Pharma Nigeria Limited.
The association also used the occasion to launch its brand-new bus as part of activities marking the NAIP Ogun State Week.
