The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has called for stronger integration of pharmacists into healthcare systems, with increased investment in professional development, medication safety, public health and patient-centred services.
The call will form part of discussions during the 2026 World Pharmacists Day celebration to be hosted by the Oyo State branch of the society from September 19 to 27.
Themed: “Empowering Pharmacists for a Healthier Future,” the week-long celebration will bring together policymakers, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical industry leaders and other stakeholders to examine the evolving contribution of pharmacists to healthcare delivery.
The Chairman of the World Pharmacists Day 2026 Planning Committee, Adebayo Olukayode Gbadamosi, said the occasion would provide an opportunity to highlight the profession’s contribution to improved health outcomes while advocating greater recognition of pharmacists in health policy and planning.
“World Pharmacists Day is our opportunity to celebrate and make visible the profession’s contributions to better health outcomes,” Gbadamosi stated.
He stressed that investment in pharmacists was essential to building resilient and future-ready health systems.
The President of PSN, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, also called for stronger policies that would enable pharmacists to play a more integrated role in healthcare delivery, in line with the position of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
Ibrahim said governments, policymakers, regulators, health insurers and the public needed to support pharmacy education, continuous professional development and the effective integration of pharmacists into healthcare systems.
The keynote speaker, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lefas Pharmaceutical, Pharm. Lekan Asuni, said the changing healthcare landscape required pharmacists to move beyond traditional roles focused largely on the supply and dispensing of medicines.
Asuni explained that pharmacists were increasingly positioned to provide health information, wellness guidance and clinical support because of their accessibility and knowledge of medicines.
He identified medication safety, treatment adherence, medicines optimisation, antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacovigilance, chronic disease management, public health programmes and pharmaceutical supply-chain quality as areas where pharmacists could make greater impact.
Asuni stressed the need for appropriate financing and remuneration mechanisms where pharmacists provide services such as vaccination, screening, medication reviews, chronic disease support and structured health education.
Also speaking, the Guest Speaker, Mr John Alamu, emphasised the importance of continuous professional development, urging pharmacists to complement formal education with research, professional reading, regular training and the adoption of digital health technologies.
Alamu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CapitalSage Holdings and Johnvents Group, said continuous learning would enable pharmacists to expand their contribution to medication counselling, treatment monitoring and preventive healthcare while helping to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare costs.
The Chairman of the Oyo State PSN branch and host of the celebration, Pharm. (Col.) Victor Segun Ajanaku (rtd.), said the theme reflected the branch’s commitment to professional excellence and improved patient care.
Ajanaku described pharmacists as essential partners in healthcare delivery, noting that strengthening their competencies would improve the prescription, dispensing and management of medicines across healthcare institutions and communities.
He added that the celebration would also recognise practitioners whose contributions had advanced the pharmaceutical profession in Oyo State and beyond.
Oyo State Governor, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, is expected to attend the celebration alongside the First Lady of the state, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, who will serve as Special Guest of Honour.
The programme will feature a series of activities across designated venues in Oyo State and culminate in an awards night on September 27.
The organisers have invited professionals in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, policymakers, industry leaders and members of the public to participate in the celebration and support efforts to build a stronger, more responsive and patient-centred healthcare system.
