FG MOVES TO STRENGTHEN PHARMACY WORKFORCE, EXPAND ROLE IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY

Press Release

FG MOVES TO STRENGTHEN PHARMACY WORKFORCE, EXPAND ROLE IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY

Abuja, Nigeria | 25 September 2026

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening pharmacy practice and expanding the role of pharmacists across Nigeria’s health system, with a focus on clinical care, medicines safety, digital health and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare,
@muhammadpate
, stated this in Abuja at a Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the 2026 #WorldPharmacistsDay, themed “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.”

Represented by the DOPS, and DHRM, Tetshoma Dafeta, the Coordinating Minister described pharmacists as highly accessible health professionals whose expertise is critical to the safe and effective use of medicines, preventive care, chronic disease management and patient safety.
He said the Ministry is advancing reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) to strengthen pharmacy practice and better integrate pharmacists into healthcare delivery. These include expanding their roles in primary and specialised care, promoting regulated e-pharmacy and digital health platforms, supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and strengthening efforts to prevent substandard and falsified medical products.

Prof. Pate also stressed the need for sustained investment in pharmacy education, clinical residency programmes, continuous professional development, workplace infrastructure, research and innovation, alongside stronger collaboration among pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other health professionals.
“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.

In her welcome address, the Director, Food and Drug Services, Pharm. Olufowubi-Yusuf Adeola mni, said pharmacists play an important role in improving medication adherence, preventing medication-related errors and promoting the safe and rational use of medicines. She noted that their presence within communities also positions them to contribute to public health interventions, including health education, antimicrobial stewardship, vaccination awareness and chronic disease management, and called for continued investment in the skills, tools and professional environment required to enable pharmacists to respond effectively to emerging health challenges.

The DG,
@NafdacAgency
, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in her remarks, highlighted the role of pharmacists in ensuring that access to medicines is matched by appropriate standards of quality, safety, efficacy and proper use.

The DG,
@nhia_nigeria
, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, said the Authority would continue strengthening collaboration with pharmacists on medicines formularies, reimbursement processes and the integration of pharmaceutical care within quality assurance frameworks. The National Coordinator,
@PVAC_NG
Dr. Abdul Mukhtar, emphasised the role of pharmacists in the industrialisation of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, noting that stronger local manufacturing requires the profession’s active participation. Representatives of development partners and private-sector stakeholders reaffirmed their support for strengthening pharmaceutical services, medicines safety, patient care and the development of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.

@Fmohnigeria
, remains committed to building a pharmacy workforce that is equipped, supported and fully integrated into the health system, recognising that stronger pharmaceutical services are essential to improving access, protecting patients and making healthcare more responsive to the needs of Nigerians.

@Fmohnigeria
remains committed to building an equipped, supported and fully integrated pharmacy workforce as part of its broader health-sector reforms under the #RenewedHopeAgenda of
@officialABAT
, recognising that stronger pharmaceutical services are essential to improving access, protecting patients and strengthening health systems that save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians.

Ado Bako
Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations