The Federal Government says it is repositioning pharmacists to play a bigger role in clinical care, public health, digital health and the development of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry….
The Federal Government says it is repositioning pharmacists to play a bigger role in clinical care, public health, digital health and the development of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this in Abuja during a ministerial press briefing to mark the 2026 World Pharmacists Day, themed “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.”
Pate, who was represented by Tetshoma Dafeta, said pharmacists were among the most accessible health professionals and remained critical to the safe and effective use of medicines.
He said the government was implementing reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) to strengthen pharmacy practice and integrate pharmacists more fully into healthcare delivery.
According to him, the reforms will expand the role of pharmacists in primary and specialised care, promote regulated e-pharmacy and digital health platforms, support local pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthen the fight against substandard and falsified medicines.
“Pharmacists must be positioned not only as custodians of medicines, but as active partners in clinical care, public health, digital health and the development of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry,” Pate said.
The Minister also called for increased investment in pharmacy education, clinical residency programmes, continuous professional development, workplace infrastructure, research and innovation.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between pharmacists, doctors, nurses and other health professionals to improve patient care.
The Director, Food and Drug Services, Pharm. Olufowubi-Yusuf Adeola mni, said pharmacists were central to improving medication adherence and preventing medication-related errors.
She said, “Pharmacists play an important role in improving medication adherence, preventing medication-related errors and promoting the safe and rational use of medicines.”
Adeola added that pharmacists’ presence within communities positioned them to contribute to health education, antimicrobial stewardship, vaccination awareness and chronic disease management.
She called for continued investment in “the skills, tools and professional environment” required to enable pharmacists to respond effectively to emerging health challenges.
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said pharmacists also had a major responsibility in ensuring that access to medicines was accompanied by appropriate standards.
She highlighted the need to ensure the “quality, safety, efficacy and proper use” of medicines available to Nigerians.
The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said the Authority would continue to work with pharmacists on medicines formularies, reimbursement processes and the integration of pharmaceutical care into quality assurance frameworks.
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, Dr Abdul Mukhtar, also highlighted the profession’s role in developing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.
He said stronger local manufacturing would require the “active participation” of pharmacists.
Development partners and private-sector stakeholders at the briefing also reaffirmed their support for stronger pharmaceutical services, medicines safety, patient care and local pharmaceutical development.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said strengthening the pharmacy workforce remained part of its broader health-sector reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Ministry said stronger pharmaceutical services were essential to improving access to healthcare and protecting patients.
“Stronger pharmaceutical services are essential to improving access, protecting patients and strengthening health systems that save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians,” said Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations
