Pharmacists Are Strategic Partners In Building Healthier Societies – Minister

Coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has emphasised that pharmacists are not just dispensers of medicine but strategic partners in building healthier and more resilient societies.

Prof. Pate made this known in Abuja during a ministerial press briefing to mark Nigeria’s maiden commemoration of World Pharmacists Day 2025, themed “Think Health, Think Pharmacists.”

Represented by the director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary and Head of the Health Nutrition Department, Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Ayegbusi, the minister highlighted the critical role of the profession, adding that pharmacists have become frontline health professionals across the country; accessible, trusted, and indispensable.

“From government cities to remote villages, they serve as the first point of contact for millions seeking healthcare guidance, medication, and preventive services. Pharmacists are not only providing individual health platforms, they are strengthening the very foundation of our national health system,“ he stated.

The minister also noted significant policy milestones achieved in the sector, including the introduction of the National Drug Policy, the e-Pharmacy Policy, and the recently launched eighth edition of the National Essential Medicines List. These reforms, he said, align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes strengthening healthcare infrastructure, promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and investing in human capital development.

“Without the trusted and committed pharmacists, we will not be able to achieve these goals,” Pate remarked, adding that government is retraining and retooling professionals to ensure that pharmaceutical training remains in line with global standards.

He further highlighted achievements in Nigeria’s pharmacy sector, including the establishment of nationwide pharmacovigilance centres through NAFDAC, growth in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the expansion of clinical pharmacy practice across hospitals and primary healthcare centres. These strides, he noted, reflect the resilience, innovation, and professionalism of Nigerian pharmacists.

Calling for stronger collaboration, the minister urged private sector players, individuals, and international partners to fully leverage the potential of pharmacies. He emphasized the need for collective investment in pharmacy education, workforce development, research, and regulatory enforcement to eliminate counterfeit and substandard medicines.

“Nigeria is a big country, and we are going to be the hub of medicine in Africa. Together, we are shaping a future where every Nigerian has access to safe, effective, and affordable medicine,” Pate said.