The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has underscored the vital role pharmacists play in creating healthier and more resilient societies, stressing that their responsibilities extend far beyond dispensing drugs.
Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja to commemorate Nigeria’s first-ever celebration of World Pharmacists Day 2025, themed “Think Health, Think Pharmacists”, Prof. Pate described pharmacists as frontline health professionals who remain accessible, trusted, and indispensable across the country.
Represented by Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Ayegbusi, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary and Head of the Health Nutrition Department, the minister explained that pharmacists are often the first point of contact for millions of Nigerians in need of healthcare support. Whether in urban centers or remote villages, he noted, they provide medical guidance, essential medicines, and preventive care services.
“Pharmacists are not only helping individuals manage their health needs, they are also reinforcing the foundation of our national health system,” he said.
Highlighting key reforms in the sector, Prof. Pate pointed to policy milestones such as the introduction of the National Drug Policy, the e-Pharmacy Policy, and the recently launched eighth edition of the National Essential Medicines List. He explained that these reforms are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places emphasis on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, boosting local drug manufacturing, and improving investment in human capital development.
According to him, these ambitions cannot be achieved without the dedication of pharmacists. He further revealed that the government is currently retraining and equipping professionals to ensure that pharmacy education and practice remain aligned with international standards.
The minister also commended progress in the pharmacy profession within Nigeria. He cited the establishment of nationwide pharmacovigilance centres by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the steady growth of local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the expansion of clinical pharmacy services across hospitals and primary healthcare centres. These developments, he added, reflect the resilience, innovation, and professionalism of Nigerian pharmacists.
Prof. Pate further stressed the need for broader collaboration in the sector. He called on the private sector, international partners, and individuals to tap into the full potential of pharmacy services. Collective efforts, he said, are required to strengthen education, workforce development, and research, while also tightening regulatory enforcement to eliminate the circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines.
He maintained that pharmacists must be seen as strategic partners in Nigeria’s march toward universal healthcare coverage. “Without their trusted expertise and commitment, it will be difficult to achieve the transformation we seek in our health sector,” he said.
The minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting pharmacists through policies and initiatives that empower them to deliver safe, effective, and affordable healthcare services to every Nigerian.
