The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called on pharmacists across the country to step up their efforts in combating medicine misuse, self-medication, and the use of counterfeit drugs. PSN President, Pharmacist Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, made this appeal in a message to mark World Pharmacists Day 2026. He emphasized the need for pharmacists to continuously update their knowledge and adopt technology to provide quality healthcare services.
According to Tanko, the changing healthcare landscape requires pharmacists to practise evidence-based medicine while keeping patients at the centre of care. He noted that pharmacists have a crucial role to play in ensuring that medicines are used safely and effectively. This can be achieved by educating patients on dosage, timing, precautions, side effects, and possible adverse drug reactions.
Tanko also urged pharmacists to strengthen community healthcare by providing services such as vaccination awareness, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, health education, and smoking cessation support. He called for the implementation of the recent resolution of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to activate pharmacy-based clinics. Proper documentation and data gathering are essential in this regard.
The PSN president warned against the inappropriate use of antibiotics, describing the responsible use of anti-infective medicines as an important professional responsibility. He emphasized that pharmacists are not only treating patients today but also protecting the health of future generations. Tanko stressed the importance of teamwork in healthcare, noting that when healthcare professionals work together, the patient is the greatest beneficiary.
Tanko highlighted the multifaceted role of pharmacists in building a healthier society. He noted that every prescription reviewed, patient counselled, and medicine safely dispensed contributes to better health outcomes. Pharmacists are not just dispensers of medicines but also guardians of safe and effective medication use, educators, patient advocates, and partners in healthcare.
The PSN president announced that the Society would celebrate its centenary in the first quarter of 2027. The celebrations would include a Centenary Declaration, the launch of a Centenary Endowment Fund, public lectures, a Centenary publication, and a Centenary Banquet and Awards Night. This milestone is a testament to the Society's commitment to promoting pharmaceutical excellence in Nigeria.
In conclusion, Tanko emphasized that pharmacists have a critical role to play in ensuring a healthier future for Nigerians. By embracing artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, pharmacists can provide quality healthcare services that meet the needs of patients. The PSN is committed to empowering pharmacists to achieve this goal, and the Society looks forward to working with other stakeholders to build a healthier Nigeria.
Key points
- Pharmacists must continuously update their knowledge and adopt technology to provide quality healthcare services.
- The PSN is celebrating its centenary in the first quarter of 2027.
- Pharmacists have a crucial role to play in combating medicine misuse, self-medication, and the use of counterfeit drugs.
