By Damilola Samuel
The Federal Government has revealed plans to move pharmacists beyond medicine dispensing, with a wider role in clinical care, digital health, public health and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said pharmacists should be more actively involved in healthcare beyond the traditional responsibility of supplying and dispensing medicines.
Pate, represented by Tetshoma Dafeta, made the call in Abuja at a ministerial briefing to mark the 2026 World Pharmacists Day, themed “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.”
He said the government was working to strengthen pharmacy practice through reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, including greater integration of pharmacists into primary and specialised healthcare.
“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,” he said.
The minister also identified regulated e-pharmacy and digital health platforms, local drug manufacturing and stronger measures against substandard and falsified medical products as areas requiring greater attention.
He called for increased investment in pharmacy education, clinical residency programmes, professional development, research and workplace infrastructure, while stressing the need for closer collaboration between pharmacists and other health professionals.
The Director, Food and Drug Services, Pharm. Olufowubi-Yusuf Adeola, said pharmacists were already contributing to medication adherence, prevention of medicine-related errors and the safe use of medicines.
She added that their accessibility within communities could make them useful in health education, antimicrobial stewardship, vaccination awareness and chronic disease management.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, also stressed the importance of pharmacists in ensuring that medicines available to Nigerians meet required standards off quality, safety and efficacy.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said the authority would continue to collaborate with pharmacists on medicines formularies, reimbursement and the integration of pharmaceutical care into quality assurance.
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Accelerated Vaccine Access, Dr Abdul Mukhtar, meanwhile, highlighted the profession’s role in strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said a stronger and better-integrated pharmacy workforce would contribute to improving access to medicines, protecting patients and making healthcare more responsive to Nigerians’ needs.
