Pharmacy Faces Grave Threat as Government Policies Empower Quacks — Akhimien

Pharm. (Sir) Anthony Akhimien, former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the African Pharmaceutical Forum (APF), has warned that the pharmacy profession in Nigeria is confronting an unprecedented threat not seen in over three decades.

Speaking during the recent ACPN IDEA Zone Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the HOB and HOC Event Centre, Shasha, Lagos, Akhimien alleged that certain government policies are indirectly empowering quacks, putting public safety at risk.

“The pharmacy emblem remains the only trusted symbol guiding the public to safe medicines,” he said, cautioning that failure to act decisively now could have lasting consequences for the profession and the healthcare system.

Akhimien stressed that Nigeria’s healthcare system must operate as a true multidisciplinary team, where pharmacists, laboratory scientists, nurses, and doctors all play critical roles.

“Healthcare delivery cannot succeed if policies favour only one group. Pharmacists make the medicines, laboratory scientists conduct tests, and nurses provide care, yet government structures often ignore these contributions,” he noted.

He also highlighted the growing control of pharmacy businesses by non-pharmacists, describing it as a direct threat to professional integrity and patient safety. He called on regulatory authorities to ensure fully constituted and transparent pharmacy council boards capable of enforcing inspections, sanctioning violators, and maintaining professional standards.

Illegal premises and weak monitoring remain persistent challenges. Akhimien urged swift government action to empower councils and professional associations to protect registered pharmacies and enforce compliance effectively.

Reflecting on decades of service, he advised young pharmacists to prioritise mentorship, professional discipline, and patient welfare over immediate financial gain. “The true legacy of a pharmacist is measured in lives saved and public trust, not just profit,” he said.

Akhimien also criticised the limited inclusion of pharmacists in critical government healthcare committees. Referring to a recent clinical investigation into medication errors, he noted that only one pharmacist was involved, while other essential stakeholders, including regulators and drug manufacturers, were absent. He emphasised that inclusive policymaking is vital for patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.

He however urged the policymakers to implement transparent, supportive policies for pharmacists nationwide, stressing that empowering the profession is essential for sustainable healthcare and public safety in Nigeria.