Pharmacists has listed various hopes for the Federal Government in 2026, stating that the upcoming year should signify a move from political pledges to actual changes.
They stated that the changes should be evident in rules and regulations, training of staff, medication safety, and management of the healthcare system.
Pharmacists stated that their requests arise amid a health system in 2025 characterized by major difficulties yet also notable career advancements that reshaped the role of pharmacies within Nigeria's medical framework.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Dr. Aliyu Tanko, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, evaluated the healthcare landscape for 2025 through the eyes of pharmacists, highlighting various obstacles alongside some small advancements.
Pharmacists worked within a setting influenced by financial constraints, legal conflicts, movement of staff, and changing healthcare policies.
"Nevertheless, 2025 represented a pivotal moment for professional advocacy and the significance of the system," stated the PSN president.
He observed that continuous campaigning, clear legislation, and involvement in policymaking enabled pharmacists to regain a more significant position in medical care, oversight, and public health safety throughout the nation.
"Significant advancements like the reinforcement of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria's supervisory power, the official recognition of consultant pharmacist positions, and increased involvement in public health via community pharmacies show that pharmacists are now essential participants rather than marginal figures in healthcare provision, oversight, and health safety," Tanko stated.
Although there have been improvements, the PSN leader mentioned that pharmacists encountered several difficulties in 2025, such as ongoing efforts to weaken professional standards inside the healthcare system.
He stated that attempts were made to legitimise non-national workforce groups and weaken the acknowledgment of consultant pharmacists, along with disputes over regulation regarding medicine management and professional boundaries.
Tanko also highlighted workforce strain and declining morale caused by brain drain, heavy workloads, delayed reforms in education and remuneration, as well as system inefficiencies linked to fragmented digital platforms and administrative bottlenecks.
Furthermore, he mentioned that accessing and affording medication continued to be significant issues in 2025 because of reliance on imports, fluctuations in foreign currency, and ongoing challenges within the distribution networks for medicines across the country.
Nevertheless, the PSN chairman highlighted that pharmacists achieved significant successes in 2025, such as positive judicial decisions, changes in policies, alignment of retirement ages, and improvements in intern placement procedures, all contributing to enhanced job security.
In looking towards 2026, Tanko mentioned that pharmacists' hopes for the FG are focused on strategy, cooperation, and transformation.
He advocated for continuous appreciation of pharmaceutical regulations, encompassing strict implementation of the powers held by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and adherence to current court rulings.
Tanko identified "the implementation of workforce changes, such as the shift to Pharm.D programs, setting up graduate colleges, and organizing structured internships," as a key focus for 2026.
The PSN president further demanded the full integration of pharmacists into national health programmes, particularly at the primary healthcare and public health levels, where they believe their expertise remains underutilised.
He also urged government support for digital health transformation, including the harmonisation of licensing, inspection, continuing professional development, and service delivery systems across the sector.
In addition, the PSN president said it expects formal recognition as a core policy partner in health reform, medicine security, and workforce planning, rather than being treated solely as an advocacy organisation.
"Primarily, PSN aims for a practical collaboration with the government to establish a robust, citizen-focused, and well-managed healthcare system," Tanko stated.
Regarding the overall perspective for the pharmaceutical industry in 2026, the PSN chairman stated that pharmacists remain somewhat hopeful.
"The Nigerian pharmaceutical industry starts 2026 with a more defined regulatory body, enhanced organizational influence, and an improved structured approach. The sector is now in a stronger position to promote quality control, drug safety, staff training, and overall public health," he stated.
Tanko cautioned, nevertheless, that advancement depended on converting policy successes into tangible efforts, particularly regarding digital integration, graduate pharmaceutical education, the shift to Pharm.D., and changes in community pharmacies.
"If the government and key partners continue to work with PSN and adhere to legal limits, 2026 might represent the shift from defending professional challenges to actively building the system," he stated.
According to PUNCH Healthwise, the Nigerian Medical Association criticized the introduction of the consultant pharmacist role at two federal medical facilities in Lagos State, claiming this step could disrupt patient treatment, healthcare services, and workplace collaboration.
In addition to disrupting medical services, they pointed out that appointments and execution lack therapeutic significance.
In a joint statement issued following an urgent State Executive Council session held in May 2025, the chairman of the NMA Lagos, Dr. Babajide Saheed, along with the secretary, Dr. Jimoh Hassan, stated that "the cadre does not contribute to direct patient treatment, breaches standard medical procedures, and could endanger the consistency of healthcare services by fostering workplace conflict."
However, the PSN criticized the NMA for resisting the introduction of a pharmacist advisory group within the organizations.
The PSN Lagos branch Chairman, Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, in a statement, described the NMA’s opposition as a “declaration of war”, saying the medical association’s position comes off as “hostile and monarchical”.
PSN stated that the Consultant Pharmacist Cadre has legal support through various circulars and authorizations issued by the Office of the Head of the Federal Civil Service, starting from 2011, with renewed confirmations in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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