The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has strongly criticized the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) for recent comments. NARD said these comments were dishonest and aimed at misleading the public with false claims.
NARD was reacting to a letter the ACPN sent to President Bola Tinubu. In that letter, the pharmacists accused doctors of having too much power in the health sector. NARD called the statement provocative and harmful to teamwork in healthcare.
The ACPN had written to the president, claiming that doctors often use strikes to unfairly pressure the government and get what they want.
In the letter, signed by ACPN leaders Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh and Pharm. Omokhafe Ashore, they accused doctors of using strikes as a tool to get special treatment, even if it means ignoring fairness and proper procedures.
The pharmacists also argued that many doctors in academic roles do not have doctoral degrees, yet they still take top positions. They said doctors use threats of strikes to get these roles, rather than following normal academic rules.
In response, NARD, through its president Dr. Temitope Osundara and secretary Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem, said the pharmacists’ claims were false and could divide healthcare workers. They said the language used by the ACPN could create unnecessary conflict.
NARD clarified that they do not hold grudges or try to dominate others in the health sector. They believe all professionals, including pharmacists, should share their views, and NARD has the right to do the same.
Dr. Osundara warned that calling doctors “overpampered civil servants” was not only wrong but also stirred up unnecessary anger. He said such comments show jealousy, not facts.
He added that doctors have never tried to take over other professionals’ roles. Instead, they have shown patience, even when attacked or criticized.
He said that doctors are focused on giving the best care to patients, even under tough conditions.
Osundara stated that what’s really happening is not doctors invading other roles, but some groups trying to discredit doctors through media and lobbying.
On leadership in healthcare, he pointed to international studies, including those by researcher Florian Kaiser, showing that hospitals perform better when led by doctors.
He said these studies show that hospitals run by doctors have lower death rates, better patient satisfaction, and work more efficiently.
He added that the focus of any leadership discussion should be about improving patient care—not about personal ambitions or power struggles.
He said if discussions aren’t focused on improving healthcare for patients, then they are a waste of time.
NARD also rejected ACPN’s claim that doctors block pharmacists’ career growth. They said such claims are false and unfair.
Osundara questioned why community pharmacists should lead in hospitals over other professionals like Health Information Managers, who also have degrees.
He also noted that doctors do not lead in pharmaceutical companies or research teams—roles where pharmacists are in charge—and doctors have not complained about this.
He advised ACPN to focus on important responsibilities like stopping the misuse of prescription drugs, which has become a serious health issue in Nigeria.
Osundara said ACPN should work more on improving health coverage in Nigeria instead of trying to gain importance by attacking others.
He mentioned that NARD has trained both doctors and non-doctors, including pharmacists, in life-saving techniques to help reduce deaths in emergencies.
He said the problem of drug abuse and poor mental health among Nigerian youth is serious, and accused ACPN of not doing enough to stop the illegal sale of prescription drugs.
He expressed surprise that while dangerous drugs are easily available to young people, ACPN is more focused on leadership positions.
Osundara warned ACPN to stop trying to emotionally manipulate the public against doctors, calling such behavior unprofessional and harmful.
He also said the public should not be dragged into fights between health professionals through false claims and emotional statements.
Finally, he urged the president to quickly address issues affecting doctors’ welfare, especially unpaid salaries and pending wage adjustments.
He ended by saying that no country can improve healthcare if the needs of health workers are ignored.
