The immediate past Vice Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ogun State chapter, Dr. Olumide Obube, has raised concern about the shortage of pharmacists across the country.
He said the situation is weakening Nigeria’s health system and leaving millions of people exposed to unsafe drug practices.
Speaking to journalists during the 2025 World Pharmacists Day, Obube explained that Nigeria has only 0.9 pharmacists per 10,000 people, far below the global average of 4.8. He noted that the shortage is even worse in some states.
For instance, he said Zamfara has just 0.05 pharmacists per 10,000 people—meaning only 25 pharmacists serve about five million residents.
In comparison, the Federal Capital Territory has 4.3 pharmacists per 10,000 people, while Lagos, with over 21 million residents, has just 2.8 per 10,000.
“This poor distribution is not just about numbers—it’s a serious public health crisis,” he warned.
Obube explained that in communities without pharmacists, people depend on untrained drug sellers. This, he said, leads to wrong drug use, drug resistance, and avoidable deaths.
In Ogun State, where he serves on the Drug Control Committee, the ratio is 1.6 pharmacists per 10,000 residents. This translates to about 960 pharmacists serving six million people, which he described as inadequate, especially with rising cases of chronic diseases, self-medication, and fake drugs.
He said global studies show that 21 percent of hospital readmissions are linked to drug-related problems, and 70 percent of these could have been prevented with proper pharmaceutical care.
“This is where pharmacists make a difference—by checking medication use, educating patients, and improving treatment,” he said.
Obube also criticized the exclusion of pharmacists from important health programmes like vaccination campaigns and health insurance coverage.
He gave examples from developed countries where pharmacists are allowed to vaccinate, prescribe drugs, and manage chronic illnesses—steps that reduce hospital admissions and improve patient health.
“In Nigeria, only about 10 percent of people have health insurance. Most pay from their pockets, and a single drug mistake can push a family into financial crisis. Pharmacists can help reduce this risk,” he added.
He urged the government to update health laws, include pharmacists in primary healthcare, and allow pharmacist-led services under the National Health Insurance Authority and state insurance schemes such as OGSHIA in Ogun.
According to him, the PSN in Ogun State has consistently advocated for pharmacists to take bigger roles in immunization, drug therapy, and public health awareness.
“Ogun pharmacists are ready and committed—we just need supportive laws and political will,” he said.
Obube also highlighted the crucial role of pharmacists in fighting fake and substandard medicines, which remain a big challenge in Nigeria.
“Pharmacists are the gatekeepers of drug quality. We ensure medicines are sourced, stored, and dispensed correctly. Removing pharmacists from this process puts lives at risk,” he warned.
As the world marked World Pharmacists Day, Obube called on government to train more pharmacists, encourage them to work in rural areas, and give the profession a stronger role in Nigeria’s health system.
“No health system can work effectively without pharmacists. We are not just dispensers—we are healthcare providers, teachers, and the first line of defense in many communities,” he said.
