Pharm. (Mrs) Folasade Olufunke Lawal is the MD and CEO of Victory Drugs, a community pharmacy, based in Lagos, Nigeria. She is also a consultant at the Drug Information Centre, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).
Lawal graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1985 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. She further obtained a master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy in 2006 from the University of Lagos.
She cut her teeth in the profession as a hospital pharmacist at Adebowale Hospital, Lagos, where she was in charge of services such as drug purchases and storage, drug dispensing, patient counselling and liaising with other healthcare professionals in the hospital. After working for a year in the hospital, she established her own company, Victory Drugs in May, 1989.
With 33 years of professional experience, the pharmacist has categorically carved a niche for herself in excellence. Aside from having a number of research publications to her credit, she is reputed to have developed several laudable innovations, among which is the popular “Your Pharmacist & You” programme, aimed at ensuring that patients keep track of their medical record.
An ardent community pharmacist, Lawal has been involved in numerous community programmes aimed at positive behavioural changes. These have been especially targeted towards curbing the spread of communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria. She also conducts health awareness campaigns on non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
A strong advocate of the rational use of medicines, Lawal has collaborated with and effectively delivered various local and international level projects with several international organisations, institutions and pharmaceutical companies since 2005. She is very innovative in the practical solutions she has brought to the effective practice of community pharmacy, patient involvement, and patient care. She is also a seasoned researcher and well-published author in peer-reviewed journals.
In recognition of her contributions to the pharmacy profession, Lawal won the May and Baker Professional Award in Pharmacy in 2015, as well as the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship, in the same year. This is in addition to being a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), as well as being a member of the Faculty, Omron Academy; member, Sanofi Advisory Board; and associate member, Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
She is happily married with children.
 Folasade Olufunke Lawal is the MD and CEO of Victory Drugs, a community pharmacy, based in Lagos, Nigeria. She is also a consult){kind=link}