The National Order of Pharmacists of Cameroon (ONPC) has called for an expanded role for pharmacists in the country's healthcare system. On World Pharmacists Day, September 25, 2026, ONPC President Dr. Nana Franck highlighted the need for pharmacists to move beyond simple medicine dispensation and take on more clinical responsibilities. He cited the profession's dual burden of fighting illicit drug distribution networks and providing healthcare services.
Dr. Nana pointed out that pharmacists in Cameroon face significant structural constraints, including rigid restrictions on their role in healthcare delivery. He argued that community pharmacies are often more accessible to local populations in urban centers like Yaoundé than traditional clinics. With seven years of university training, pharmacists are qualified to provide preventive care, vaccinations, and early pathology screenings.
The ONPC has made progress in its advocacy efforts, with the Ministry of Public Health recently validating a framework allowing pharmacists to conduct rapid diagnostic screening tests for malaria at community pharmacies. This initiative aims to strengthen early disease management and relieve overburdened hospitals. Dr. Nana disclosed that approximately 200 pharmacists are graduated annually from state and private universities across Cameroon.
Despite these advancements, broader administrative and institutional reluctance remains a hurdle to fully integrating pharmacists into public health functions. Dr. Nana warned that expanding clinical roles is essential to prevent pharmacist unemployment and maximize the state's investment in medical education. The ONPC is pushing for a greater role for pharmacists in healthcare delivery to address the country's health needs.
The Cameroonian pharmaceutical market is split into two sharply contrasting sectors: the official regulated market and the illicit street network. Licensed community pharmacies operating under the supervision of the ONPC uphold rigorous standards, ensuring proper cold-chain preservation, product authenticity, and expert clinical care. In contrast, an aggressive black market controls a significant portion of the country's drug trade.
Informal roadside medicine stalls, popularly known as "pavement pharmacies," operate in plain sight, selling improperly stored, frequently counterfeit, or expired medications. Driven by widespread poverty, high out-of-pocket medical costs, and low public health literacy, millions of citizens purchase these medications because they appear cheaper than those in licensed pharmacies.
The ONPC has consistently raised the alarm over the threat posed by illegal drug distribution networks, which control over 25% of the national medicine market. Council officials emphasize that medicine is not a standard commercial commodity but a regulated substance that becomes lethal when handled without professional oversight. The ONPC is advocating for empowering pharmacists to play a greater role in healthcare delivery for healthier futures.
Key points
- The National Order of Pharmacists of Cameroon is pushing for an expanded role for pharmacists in healthcare delivery.
- The ONPC has made progress in its advocacy efforts, with the Ministry of Public Health validating a framework for pharmacists to conduct rapid diagnostic screening tests for malaria.
- The Cameroonian pharmaceutical market is split into two sharply contrasting sectors: the official regulated market and the illicit street network.
