The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has officially welcomed 175 new professionals into the nation's pharmaceutical fold. The foreign-trained pharmacists were inducted in Abuja on Friday, with council officials charging them to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards to bolster Nigeria's healthcare system.
Oath and Mandate for Ethical Practice
During the induction ceremony for the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP), the Registrar of the PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, emphasized the critical role of ethics and leadership. He stated that the council's regulations are designed to ensure quality pharmaceutical services and sustainable healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
Ahmed warned that the PCN has zero tolerance for professional misconduct. He explained that any infraction would be investigated by the PCN Investigating Panel and could be referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal. Sanctions may include the removal of a pharmacist's name from the register for a specified period, barring them from practice.
Continuous Learning and Global Standards
The Registrar highlighted the necessity for pharmacists to constantly update their skills amidst rapid scientific progress and growing patient safety concerns. To this end, the PCN is implementing the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme.
Ahmed described the MCPD as crucial for professional practice and licensure. The programme aligns with World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions for health workers and directives from Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health. It is designed to keep pharmacists relevant within the healthcare team, with a primary focus on patient welfare, and offers both online and onsite learning packages.
He also outlined the global standard requiring pharmacy graduates to complete a 12-month internship under a licensed pharmacist at a PCN-approved centre, a phase he noted is vital for training and future career preparation.
A Pivotal Moment for Nigeria's Pharma Sector
In her address, the PCN Chairman, Hajia Wosilat Giwa, declared that Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector is at a critical juncture. She stressed the importance of local drug manufacturing, research, innovation, and strengthening primary healthcare services.
Giwa told the inductees that their expertise is urgently needed to optimize medication therapy management. She urged them to remain dynamic in a profession rapidly evolving with advances in artificial intelligence, personalised medicine, and biotechnology.
She described the FPGOP as a quality control mechanism, equipping foreign-trained pharmacists with the clinical, legal, and regulatory knowledge needed to practise effectively in Nigeria. By completing the programme, the new pharmacists have shown the resilience required in modern pharmacy.
"You are now positioned to integrate your expertise with the unique realities of our healthcare system," Giwa said. "As you take your oath today, you must recognize that your role as a pharmacist in the realm of public health embodies the trust bestowed upon you by the public."
The inductees had successfully completed the orientation programme at designated centres as mandated by the PCN (Establishment) Act, 2022, and passed qualifying exams designed to familiarize them with pharmaceutical practice in tropical environments like Nigeria.
