Fri, 8 Aug 2025

 

Pharmacy profession becoming an endangered species– Pharm. Usifoh warns at EDO 2025 closing dinner
 
From: CEOAFRICA REPORTER
Fri, 8 Aug 2025   ||   Nigeria,
 

Pharm. (Prof.) Cyril Odianose Usifoh, the immediate past president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the chairman of the closing dinner for the 26th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), delivered a candid and thought-provoking address on the current state of the pharmacy profession during the event held on August 7, 2025, in Benin City, Edo State.

In his remarks, Usifoh reflected on his early career, stating, “The first opportunity I had to practice or work closely as a pharmacist in my final year was in a hospital setting.” He expressed pride in the many pharmacists who have chosen to focus their careers in hospital settings, noting that this hands-on experience is vital for future professionals. “I am happy that a lot of pharmacists who completed their programs with us then always wanted to be in the hospital for their internship. Some even thought of leaving academia for the hospital environment,” he shared.

Usifoh encouraged current practitioners to further their education through postgraduate programs, emphasizing the importance of ongoing professional development. “While we are practicing, if you have the time, energy, and stamina, please come and take a postgraduate program in the university. When you are done, we will need you to help train our students,” he stated.

However, he also raised concerns about the vulnerability of the pharmacy profession in the modern era. “If care isn’t taken, we are beginning to see that pharmacy is becoming an endangered species,” Usifoh warned, citing the growing number of discussions on social media questioning the role of pharmacists. He urged pharmacists to take their professional obligations seriously, advising those who face challenges within their technical groups to reach out to their leaders for support.

Usifoh expressed intention to engage with the Registrar of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) regarding individuals who contribute to these discussions without having fulfilled their professional responsibilities. “Those who make comments on social media are important, but if we do a background check and find that someone is defaulting on their dues to the technical group or PSN, we will inform the public about who they are because they do not have the right to comment on pharmacy platforms,” he asserted, underscoring the importance of integrity within the profession.

He concluded his address with a strong call for collaboration, urging pharmacists to work closely with the Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (CPAN, which he described as “the eye of our pharmacy world.”

Usifoh's address served as a rallying cry for attendees, reinforcing the necessity of unity, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence within the pharmacy community. As the conference came to a close, his messages resonated with participants, inspiring them to engage actively in shaping the future of pharmaceutical care in Nigeria.

 

 

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