By Michael Ezenwata
Pharmaceutical experts have called for stronger drug regulation, professional accountability and continuous training to improve pharmaceutical practice and safeguard public health in Nigeria.
They made the call at the 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), tagged “Ijele 2026”, holding from Nov. 2 to Nov. 7 at the International Conference Centre, Awka, Anambra State.
The conference, declared open by Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Nov. 3, brings together pharmacists and other stakeholders to examine developments and challenges in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
The Anambra State Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Obum Maduike, said the state government had established a task force on fake and counterfeit drugs to work with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to check the activities of quacks.
Maduike identified the state government’s earlier approval of the implementation of the consolidated Health salary structure(CONHESS) for pharmacists in the state Ministry of Health as one of the government’s achievements in the sector.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing construction of a coordinated wholesale drug centre at Oba and an industrial pharmaceutical hub at Ogboji would strengthen the state’s pharmaceutical industry.
He said the projects could position Anambra as a major pharmaceutical centre in Nigeria and the West African sub region.
Also speaking, Dr P. A. Akpa of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, stressed the importance of collaboration among pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals in promoting effective patient care.
He urged pharmacists, who often serve as the first point of contact for patients, to assess health complaints carefully and refer cases beyond their professional competence to relevant medical specialists.
Similarly, Prof. Sunday Awofusaye, a pharmacist and staff member of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, condemned quackery in the pharmaceutical profession.
He urged pharmacists to verify the authenticity and quality of drugs before dispensing them, saying that professional integrity was essential to earning public confidence.
Awofusaye advised pharmacists to look beyond immediate financial gains and prioritise professional ethics, competence and proper drug validation.
In a paper presentation, a former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Charles Esimone, called for the development of pharmacists with leadership abilities and a commitment to lifelong learning.
He said professional development should extend beyond classroom instruction to equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills needed to address emerging challenges in the healthcare sector.
Michael Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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