The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Oyo State Branch, has urged Nigerians to avoid self-medication and seek professional advice before taking medicines. This advice was given by the PSN Chairman in Oyo State, Pharmacist Victor Segun Ajanaku, at a press conference in Ibadan on Tuesday. The press conference was held ahead of this year’s World Pharmacists Day, with the theme, “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures”.
Ajanaku warned that obtaining medicines from illegitimate sources could have negative health implications, while self-medication could also trigger health-related complications. He encouraged members of the public to obtain their medicines from legitimate sources and seek professional advice whenever necessary. The PSN Chairman also reassured the public that pharmacists remain committed to ensuring the safe, rational and effective use of medicines.
Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals and often the first point of contact for people seeking advice about their health and medicines. Ajanaku highlighted the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system, stating that their responsibilities extend beyond dispensing medicines to medication safety, patient counselling, disease prevention, health promotion, immunisation, screening, antimicrobial stewardship and chronic disease management.
The PSN Oyo State Branch has organised activities to mark the 2026 celebration, focusing on health awareness, professional excellence, community engagement and the advancement of pharmacy practice. Ajanaku called for continuous professional development, supportive policies, appropriate deployment of pharmacists within the healthcare system, stronger interprofessional collaboration, effective regulation and greater recognition of pharmaceutical expertise in health-policy development.
Many pharmacists have left Oyo State and the country in search of better opportunities, attributing the trend partly to poor service conditions. Ajanaku also mentioned that inflation and the rising cost of goods and services are contributing to increases in medicine prices. This has made it challenging for people to access affordable healthcare.
The PSN Chairman called for greater collaboration among government, healthcare professionals, policymakers, academia, industry, the media and the public to improve health outcomes. He believes that this collaboration is essential to address the challenges facing the healthcare system and ensure that Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria is committed to ensuring that pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare system. The society will continue to advocate for the rights of pharmacists and work towards improving the healthcare system in Nigeria.
Key points
- PSN urges Nigerians to avoid self-medication and buy drugs from legitimate sources.
- Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals and play a vital role in the healthcare system.
- The PSN Oyo State Branch has organised activities to mark the 2026 World Pharmacists Day celebration.
