The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ogun State Branch, has called on Nigerians to recognise the central role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery as the world prepares to celebrate World Pharmacists Day 2025 on Thursday, September 25, with the theme “Think Health, Think Pharmacist.”
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday ahead of the celebration, PSN Ogun State Chairman, Pharm. (Mrs.) Oyesunlola Okunuga described the theme as a timely reminder of the pharmacist’s relevance in public health.
“This year’s theme encapsulates the essence of the pharmacy profession. Health is not merely about medicines, but about people, prevention, and partnerships, and at the centre of all these stands the pharmacist,” Okunuga stated.
She emphasised that pharmacists are not just custodians of medicines but accessible healthcare professionals who provide trusted advice, prevent harmful drug interactions, administer vaccinations, manage chronic diseases, and lead health campaigns.
She also called for stronger policy support, as she urged the government and stakeholders to create enabling environments for pharmacists to maximise their skills.
“Policymakers must allow pharmacists to fully utilise their expertise. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other providers must work together as one cohesive team in the patient’s interest,” she said.
Okunuga further highlighted the contributions of Ogun State pharmacists across community, hospital, industrial, academic, and regulatory practice, noting their roles in bridging healthcare gaps, ensuring patient safety, producing quality medicines, training future professionals, and safeguarding the public against counterfeit drugs.
“Behind every safe medicine is the pharmacist who ensures quality and proper use. Behind every healthy community is the pharmacist who educates, advocates, and innovates.
“To ‘Think Health’ is to imagine a society where well-being is prioritised, and to ‘Think Pharmacist’ is to recognise the professional who makes that vision a reality,” she concluded.’
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