Akwa Ibom approves consultant pharmacist cadre as PSN hails Governor

By Destiny Obinna

In a major boost to specialist pharmacy practice and healthcare workforce development, the Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the Pharmacist Consultant Cadre in its civil service, a move expected to strengthen clinical pharmacy services, improve medication safety and enhance patient-centred healthcare delivery.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Akwa Ibom State Branch, has commended Governor Umo Eno for the approval, describing it as a landmark achievement that will promote professional recognition, specialist expertise and career advancement among pharmacists.

The approval, formalised through Akwa Ibom State Government Establishments Circular No. 5/2026, issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service and effective from October 2026, establishes a formal career structure for pharmacists with specialist competencies in the state public service.

In a press statement by its State Chairman, Pharm. Nsikak Effiong, a Fellow of the Postgraduate College of Pharmacy and consultant pharmacist, the society expressed profound appreciation to the governor for supporting the adoption of the cadre.

The PSN said the development would enable the state to better harness the specialised knowledge of pharmacists in clinical decision-making, medication safety, rational medicine use and patient-centred care, with potential benefits for health outcomes.

It described the approval as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to professional advancement and quality healthcare delivery.

The society explained that the achievement followed sustained advocacy, consultations and engagements involving pharmacists, its leadership and successive administrations in the state.

It, however, commended Governor Eno’s administration for providing the necessary support to bring the long-standing professional aspiration to fruition.

The PSN also praised the Head of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, for her supportive disposition towards pharmacists and contribution to advancing the interests of the pharmacy profession.

Effiong acknowledged her understanding of the profession, constructive engagement and support for pharmacists’ aspirations, which he said contributed to the realisation of the achievement.

The society equally appreciated other government officials and stakeholders whose cooperation helped facilitate the approval.

The Pharmacist Consultant Cadre was previously approved by the National Council on Establishments at its 41st meeting held in Asaba from November 4 to 8, 2019. It was subsequently adopted at the federal level through a Federal Civil Service circular dated September 11, 2020.

With its adoption in Akwa Ibom, pharmacists in the state civil service now have a structured career pathway that recognises specialist competencies and aligns professional advancement with their expertise.

Under the approved structure, the cadre comprises three levels: Consultant Pharmacist at Salary Grade Level 15; Consultant Pharmacist Special Grade II at Salary Grade Level 16; and Consultant Pharmacist Special Grade I at Salary Grade Level 17.

The PSN said the structure would strengthen specialist pharmaceutical services, encourage continuous professional development, improve career advancement opportunities and support the retention of experienced pharmacists in the state’s healthcare system.

It noted that specialist pharmacists play important roles in ensuring appropriate medicine use, promoting medication safety and supporting clinical decisions that affect treatment outcomes.

The society described the approval as more than an administrative milestone, saying it represented an investment in professional excellence, specialist healthcare delivery and the future of pharmacy practice in Akwa Ibom.

It called for sustained collaboration among the state government, PSN, relevant ministries, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the approved cadre.

The society congratulated pharmacists in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, expressing optimism that the new structure would promote professional recognition, strengthen specialist pharmaceutical practice and enhance their contribution to quality healthcare delivery.