World Pharmacists Day: Pate Highlights Strategic Role in Building Healthier Societies
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 2025 World Pharmacists Day, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Ṣocial Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has emphasized the indispensable role they play as strategic partners in building a healthier and resilient society.
Prof. Pate made the disclosure at a Ministerial Press Briefing marking Nigeria’s Maiden edition of the World Pharmacists Day celebration, themed ‘Think Health, Think Pharmacist,’ through Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Ayegbusi, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary and Head of the Health Nutrition Department.
Highlighting the significance of the day and the role of the pharmacy profession, the Coordinating Minister stated that pharmacists are not just mere dispensers of medicine but strategic partners in building healthier, more resilient societies
He added, “Across Nigeria, pharmacists have emerged as frontline health professionals, accessible, trusted, and indispensable. From government cities to remote villages, they serve as the first point of contact for millions seeking healthcare guidance, medication, and preventive services
Pharmacists are not only providing individual health platforms, they are strengthening the very foundation of our national health system”.
Narrating the support of pharmaceutical profession in the area of policy, Professor Pate, announced that government has been able to strengthen their landscape through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare by introducing the National Drug Policy, the e-pharmacy policy, and the National Essential Medicine List marking the eighth edition that was recently launched.
These transformative policies, he noted, align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes strengthening healthcare infrastructure, promoting local content and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as investing in human capital development.
“The current administration is promoting local content with support from the pharmaceutical profession. And without the pharmacy profession, without the trusted and committed pharmacists, we will not be able to achieve that. Investing in human capital and professional development. This is something that the government prioritized. We retrain. And we ensure that the training is in line with global context”, the Coordinating Minister affirmed.
Highlighting the achievements of the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria, he pointed out that the profession has achieved remarkable milestones to showcase globally – including the establishment of the Pharmacovigilance Centre Nationwide through NAFDAC, increased growth in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and expanding clinical pharmacy practice in hospitals and primary healthcare centres. All these, he noted, reflect the resilience, innovation, and professionalism of Nigeria’s pharmacists.
Building on this assessment, Professor Pate solicited the support of the private sector, individuals, local and international development and implementation partners to fully leverage the potential of pharmacies.
“Nigeria is a big country and we are going to be the hub of medicine in Africa. So we depend on you, on the pharmacies profession, to achieve that. Together, we are shaping the future where every Nigerian has access to safe, effective and affordable medicine” the Coordinating Minister stated.
Earlier, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, represented by Mrs. Olufowobi Yusuf Adeola, Director Food, Chemical, Cosmetics and Water Safety Division (Food & Drugs Services Department FMoHSW) described Pharmacists as the backbone of medication in the Health system-affirming the theme of this year’s Commemoration ” Think Health, Think Pharmacists”.
Activities organized by the Ministry commemorating the World Pharmacy Day include medical outreach where Pharmacists attended to civil servants and the general public, offering medical advice as well as drugs where necessary, Mrs. Adeola further stated.
