The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has accused medical doctors of regularly mistreating other health workers in the country’s healthcare system.
In a public letter to President Bola Tinubu, signed by its National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, and Secretary, Pharm. Omokhafe Ashore, the group complained that doctors continue to dominate and suppress other health professionals.
The letter warned that this unfair treatment is discouraging young people, as many don’t want to be seen as less important in their careers.
The pharmacists said that unless the government stops this unfair dominance by doctors, it will slow down Nigeria’s development and progress.
They described doctors as being too powerful and overly favored in the system, while other skilled workers are ignored or underpaid. They urged the president to act quickly for the good of the country.
The ACPN said the country’s health sector has been getting worse for years because past Health Ministers failed to bring meaningful change.
They mentioned the tenures of Prof. Christian Chukwu, Prof. Isaac Adewole, and Dr. Osagie Ehanire as examples of leaders who made poor decisions that further damaged the health system.
They also criticized the Federal Ministry of Health for not appreciating the work of non-doctor health workers, which they said stops teamwork and innovation.
The ACPN said the Ministry often ignores the skills of other health workers, allowing arrogance and conflict to replace respect and good ideas.
As an example, they described a recent case at the Specialist Hospital in Irua, Edo State, where a senior pharmacist was punished for giving professional advice on managing a drug supply program.
The pharmacist’s advice was reportedly rejected because it didn’t suit the financial interests of the hospital leaders.
They said the pharmacist was removed and replaced with a junior staff member who allegedly acted unethically to please the hospital management.
They claimed the new head was only chosen because he was willing to act against professional standards to gain favor.
The ACPN was also unhappy with the investigation into the matter, saying the Ministry of Health sent a biased team that mostly supported the hospital’s CEO, who is a doctor.
According to the group, such mistreatment of pharmacists is now common in federal hospitals, where doctors in leadership roles misuse their power without consequences.
They said these harmful actions are being allowed to continue because the Ministry of Health has not punished any wrongdoers, even when the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) found serious corruption in the health sector.
