Call to Action on World Pharmacists Day
On World Pharmacists Day, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has issued a “call to action,” urging stakeholders, governments, and citizens to strengthen support for pharmacists. The focus is on ensuring access to quality, safe, and effective medicines, along with recognition for pharmacists’ contributions to public health.
Quick Insight: Pharmacists are on the front lines—in community health, drug safety, patient counseling, and medical supply chains. The PSN wants more regulatory support, funding, and public awareness of their role.
What PSN Is Demanding
• Increased funding and investments in pharmaceutical infrastructure and supply chains
• Strengthened regulatory oversight to deter fake or substandard medicines
• Professional recognition & incentives for pharmacists in healthcare systems
• Public education on using medicines responsibly and the pharmacist’s role
• Collaboration between government, private sector, and professional bodies to support pharmaceutical services
Why This Matters
• Access to safe, effective medicines is essential for public health; pharmacists often guard that last mile.
• In many regions, drug counterfeiting, supply chain failures, and weak oversight put lives at risk.
• Recognizing pharmacists helps improve healthcare outcomes, reduce misuse of drugs, and elevate professional standards.
Call to Stakeholders
• Governments: enact policies, allocate funds, support pharmaceutical education & infrastructure
• Professional bodies: push for stronger regulation, continuous training, public awareness campaigns
• Public: trust and consult pharmacists, report drug issues, support advocacy
• Health institutions: integrate pharmacists better in clinical decision making and patient care teams
Final Thoughts
The PSN’s call is timely and crucial—without functional pharmaceutical systems and empowered pharmacists, healthcare delivery is weaker.
If realized, these reforms could reduce drug-related harm, improve trust in medicines, and strengthen healthcare equity.
For citizens and policy makers alike, this is a reminder that medicines don’t deliver themselves: people do—especially pharmacists.
Tip: Share this message widely—tag your pharmacist, post in social media, engage your local health committees. Advocacy often starts with awareness.
