Pharm.(Dr) Ugochinyere Ogudu is the assistant director of Pharmaceutical Services (ADPS) at the General Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos. She is also the pharmacist-in-charge of the Mental Health Clinic in Lagos State Rehabilitation Centre, Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos. A proud alumnus of the prestigious University of Benin, and University of Lagos, where she earned her B. Pharm and Pharm D degrees in 2006 and 2017, respectively, Dr Ogudu is also a Fellow of the esteemed West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy (WAPCP). As a dynamic youth leader, deeply passionate about the wellbeing of youth and women, she is a candidate for the position of Publicity Secretary at the ongoing 97th PSN National Conference.In this exclusive interview with Temitope Obayendo, she outlines her vision for using various digital media and platforms to advocate for the pharmacy profession, elevate pharmacists’ interests, and build stronger relationships within the healthcare community in Nigeria. She also shares her strategies for driving progress and forging meaningful connections for the advancement of the profession. Enjoy the interesting conversation below:
Can we meet you please ?
I am Pharm. (Dr) Ugochinyere Ogudu. I obtained my first degree as a pharmacist from the prestigious University of Benin where I graduated with both B Pharm(2006} and Pharm D(2007) degrees. I did my one year compulsory internship with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and was privileged to get experiencial work in all the then six Directorates of Enforcement, Laboratory, Registration and Regulation, Narcotics, Establishment, and Port Inspection. I briefly took a job as Production Pharmacist with BANBIZ pharmaceutical company. I proceeded to the University of Lagos where I acquired Masters degree in Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics (2017). I also studied and became a Fellow of the glorious West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacy where I graduated as a public Health P harms. Presently, I am an Assistant Director of Pharmaceutical Services (ADPS) with Lagos State Health Service Commission working in General hospital Ikorodu with an extended service as the pharmacist in charge of Mental Health Clinic in Lagos State Rehabilitation Center, Majidun. I am very passionate about young people and women wellbeing and have been a youth leader for years.
How do you plan to enhance the visibility and public image of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, both within the healthcare sector and to the general public?
Our brand which is PSN is already a strong one. However, we need to constantly and consistently engage the members and also the public. I will initiate a system to regularly review our presence on all healthcare platforms and among members of the public. That’s why I said, we have to blow our trumpets, tell our stories by ourselves. We will leverage social media to spread our messages. Also, we engage influencers to market us.
Given the increasing importance of digital media, what strategies would you employ to improve PSN’s online presence and engagement with members and stakeholders across Nigeria?
We are going to optimise our website, making it user secure and friendly. We will then regularly create relevant informational health contents that appeal to our audience. We will be active on social Media, promoting ourselves: who we are and what we do as well as showcasing our awards. We will deliberately promote relevant causes using victuals. We will look out for updates and changes in algorithms.
In your view, what role does the PSN Publicity Secretary play in advocacy, particularly in influencing health policies and representing the interests of pharmacists?
We need to build new relationships and also consolidate the existing ones. Polices are made by government. As PSN Publicity Secretary, it will be my duty to publicly advocate our position on the particular health issue, mobilise allies, and educate supporters as well as opponents.
Can you provide examples of advocacy campaigns you would lead or support to address critical issues facing pharmacists today?
First and foremost, I would love to promote safe medicines use, drug and substance abuse awareness, WHO public health days and weeks campaigns. We will advocate for support of local manufacturers to boost local production. Antimicrobial stewardship will be emphasised as well as pharmacovigilance and proper medicines reconciliations and disposals.
What initiatives would you implement to foster stronger communication and collaboration among various pharmacy sub-sectors under PSN?
The PSN, through my initiatives will strive to build trust among members of the Society. Thereafter, we will seek to resolve conflicts and grievances within groups and among members where such exist. With the understanding of group goals and aspirations, we will engage them. We will also endeavour to maintain a high level of transparency and regularly bring feedbacks. Every group and every pharmacist is very important in making PSN decisions and implementation of policies that concern us. Hence, inclusivity is what we advocate.
