PCN Inducts 112 UNILAG Pharmacy Graduands

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– As Faculty Holds 10th Alumni Lecture

L-R: PCN Lagos Zonal Officer, Dr Taiwo Filusi; Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG, Professor Gloria Ayoola; Overall Best Graduating Student, Wuraola Comfort Olayiwola;  mother of the BGS, Mrs Olayiwola;  former President of the PSN, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo; Guest Speaker, Pharm. Olanrewaju Awolokun; US based lecturer, Prof. Adeboye Adejare; and Secretary, WAPCP, Nigeria chapter, Dr Ukamaka Okafor at the induction/oathtaking ceremony.

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) on 3 December 2024 inducted 112 pharmacy graduands of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after they successfully completed their programme at the institution.

The inductees, who graduated during the 2023/2024 academic session, included Wuraola Comfort Olayiwola, who emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student with an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.91. Among the 112 graduates, 38 earned distinctions.

The PCN Registrar, Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed, was represented at the event by the PCN Lagos Zonal Officer, Dr Taiwo Filusi, who led the graduands in the oath-taking ceremony.

In his address before administering the oath, the registrar emphasised that the oath-taking and induction ceremony is a mandatory requirement under the PCN Act before graduates can be officially registered as pharmacists. He urged the inductees to uphold the ethical standards of the pharmacy profession and to take their compulsory one-year internship programme seriously. He highlighted that the internship must be undertaken at a PCN-accredited centre and described it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain valuable knowledge.

The registrar further warned the graduands against professional misconduct, stressing that the PCN does not tolerate unethical behaviour. He encouraged them to avoid dishonesty and to actively engage in research within the pharmacy profession. He reminded them of the importance of integrity, stating that they must familiarise themselves with the profession’s code of ethics. He assured them that after registration, they would have the opportunity to compete in the industry and that the sky would be their stepping stone. He encouraged them to take leadership roles in the health sector and to avoid abandoning professional projects.

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In her remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Professor Gloria Ayoola, commended the graduands for their resilience, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment, which culminated in their academic success. She urged them to pursue continuous learning and to embody the virtues, values, and ethics of the pharmacy profession.

Professor Ayoola highlighted that the induction and oath-taking ceremony marked the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to achieving pharmaceutical excellence. She stressed the need for graduates to keep learning, noting that the digital age is rapidly evolving. Staying informed about technological advancements, she said, would ensure they remain effective and relevant in their professional practice.

She acknowledged the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector but cautioned that technology should enhance, not replace, the human touch. According to her, patients value pharmacists not only for their knowledge but also for the compassion and reassurance they provide. Ayoola also called on philanthropic individuals and corporate organisations to invest in the Faculty of Pharmacy to enable the institution to continue producing future-ready, top-tier pharmacists.

In his address, the event’s chairman and former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, stated that the graduands were joining the pharmacy profession at a challenging time, particularly given the significant issues facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

He expressed concern over the severe shortage of pharmacists in Nigeria, revealing that the current pharmacist-to-patient ratio is approximately 1:16,000, compared to the recommended 1:2,000. Despite this challenge, he viewed the situation as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector, particularly through the integration of artificial intelligence.

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Pharm. Akintayo emphasised that integrating AI into pharmaceutical practice could transform healthcare in Nigeria. He envisioned a future where no child would die from malaria or diarrhoea due to a lack of medication, maternal mortality would be reduced, and no elderly person would suffer neglect due to limited access to pharmacists. He reminded the graduands that pharmacy in the digital age is no longer a distant dream but a present reality. He encouraged them to embrace their roles as innovators and caregivers who would drive progress in the sector.

Delivering the 10th Alumni Lecture titled “Pharmacy in the Digital Age: Embracing AI for a Healthier Future”, guest speaker Pharm. Olanrewaju Awolokun defined artificial intelligence as the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems.

In his lecture, “Revolutionising Healthcare with Artificial Intelligence”, Pharm. Awolokun explained that AI is designed to complement human abilities, enabling faster and more efficient task completion. He stressed that AI would not replace human pharmacists but would expand their capabilities.

He elaborated on AI’s potential to enhance diagnosis, improve treatment plans, increase operational efficiency, accelerate drug discovery and development, and support remote patient monitoring and telehealth services. He highlighted the rise of telepharmacy, where pharmacists can now provide care without face-to-face interactions, as well as the emergence of teleconsultations and e-prescriptions. He also noted the role of AI in big data analytics and drug development.

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Awolokun stated that AI could significantly improve prescription accuracy, reduce operational costs, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. He acknowledged challenges such as data privacy concerns, algorithm biases, and regulatory compliance but maintained that digitalisation is the future. He urged pharmacists to embrace technology in all areas of their work and emphasised the importance of collaboration between AI systems and human pharmacists.

The ceremony also featured the formal presentation of the inductees by Professor Ayoola to the PCN registrar, who administered the pharmacist’s oath and presented provisional certificates of registration.

Another highlight was the presentation of prizes and awards to the best graduating student, Wuraola Comfort Olayiwola, and other outstanding students.

Wuraola Comfort Olayiwola received multiple awards, including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Prize for the Best Graduating Student, the Faculty of Pharmacy Dean’s Prize for the Best Graduating Student, and the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists Prize.

Princess Kamsy Okeke was honoured with the Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Prize for the Best Graduating Student in Clinical Pharmacy, alongside the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria Prize for Best Graduating Student in Clinical Pharmacy.

Grace Oluwanifesimi Agbede received the Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia Award for Outstanding Pharmacy Student, while Jesutofunmi Victoria Abisagbo was awarded the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award.

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