…As Lagos NAPA Observes Pharmacy Scientific Week
Pharmacists in academia have been charged to embrace digital transformation through a stronger integration of digital technology into pharmacy education, research, and practice, thereby achieving equitable healthcare delivery and universal health coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
The charge came at a symposium held by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), tagged “2025 NAPA Day Symposium”. The theme of the symposium is, “Digital Transformation in Pharmacy Education, Research, and Practice: Driving Access and Equity for Universal Health Coverage.”
The event, which was part of the activities marking Pharmacy week in Lagos, and held at Fidson Healthcare Plc hall, drew participants from academia, industry, and healthcare innovation, with speakers affirming that technology-driven pharmacy education and research are indispensable for Nigeria’s progress towards universal health coverage.
In his remark, the Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Oyekunle, pointed out that the world is in the era of digital evolution and pharmacists cannot be left behind.
He said, “Pharmacists in academia are in the forefront of driving the digital future of the profession. Let us leverage all the digital tools to drive universal health coverage”.
Pharm. Oyekunle noted that AI, for instance, has come to stay; he however hinted that AI can make mistakes, hence users should not rely on it 100 per cent but with critical thinking.
In his opening remark, the Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), Lagos State Chapter, Prof. Chukwuemeka Azubuike said digital transformation was no longer a futuristic thing but an urgent necessity.
“As pharmacists in academia, we must embrace this transformation to better prepare our students, advance cutting-edge research, and ensure that the benefits of pharmacy practice reach all segments of society equitably,” he emphasized.
The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Prof. Sunday Adesegun emphasised the importance of innovation in bridging healthcare gaps. He described the symposium as a platform for reflection and action, noting that pharmacy must be positioned as a “key driver of equitable healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”
In her keynote address, the CEO of Advantage Health Africa, Pharm. Abimbola Adebakin, urged pharmacists in academia to embrace digital transformation, saying it is the way to achieve universal coverage.
According to her, health is a human right, noting that everyone, regardless of income, location, or status, should be able to receive quality healthcare. She noted that the global push for universal health coverage (UHC) aims to ensure everyone can access quality health services without financial hardship.
Universal Health Coverage, according to Pharm. Adebakin is driven by the World Health Organisation, the UN’s SDG 3.8, and rising efforts to use technology to close healthcare access gaps.
She also pointed out that there’s growing demand for fair healthcare access, ensuring services reach all populations regardless of location or income, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital health adoption, making technology a key driver of equitable care delivery.
While providing practical insights into how digital tools are reshaping healthcare access, she pointed out that e-learning platforms, AI-powered research, tele-pharmacy, and mobile health applications are enabling wider reach and more efficient service delivery.
She specifically harped on the need to leverage artificial intelligence and data structuring to provide real-time, context-specific guidance for pharmacists. According to her, such tools not only reduce errors but also help address pharmacist shortages, particularly in underserved communities.
She noted that in education, virtual learning platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Moodle can extend pharmacy training to students in remote areas. She added that in research, AI-driven drug discovery and tele-research foster global collaboration. She also pointed out that in practice, e-prescriptions, tele-pharmacy, and mobile apps improve patient monitoring and access to care.
“To drive sustainable transformation in pharmacy, educators must adopt digital tools, researchers should use data-driven methods, and practitioners need technology to expand care backed by cross-sector collaboration for greater impact”, Pharm. Adebakin said.
She averred that digital transformation is not replacing pharmacists but empowering them. She said “this is a change we must embrace or risk being left behind.”
A former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Prof. Aderonke Adepoju Bello said pharmacists in academia can use Artificial Intelligence with critical thinking, adding that it is now imperative for pharmacy lecturers to make use of digital tools, saying teaching is no longer about standing and talking in front of students for two hours, but interactive and class activities.
Also speaking, Professor Udoma Mendie urged pharmacists in academia to embark on research so that they can get valuable accurate data, even as he urged lecturers to master the use of AI.
