Abuja: The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Branch, has called for stronger integration of traditional medicine into Nigeria’s healthcare system. It also urged the Federal Government to recognise community pharmacies as primary healthcare centres. The call was made during the 2025 World Pharmacists Day celebration in Abuja, themed ‘Think Health, Think Pharmacists,’ as declared by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr Abubakar Danraka, Abuja Zonal Coordinator of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), stated that pharmacists were leading efforts to standardise herbal and traditional remedies for safe use. He noted that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare already housed a Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, while the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) was actively developing indigenous medicines. Danraka emphasized the need for political will, institutional support, legal backing, and funding to further these efforts.
Dr Danraka also highlighted the role of the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) in formulating herbal treatments for various conditions. The agency, led by a pharmacy professor, is a key institution in this initiative. PSN-FCT Chairman, Mrs Salamatu Orakwelu, underscored the importance of World Pharmacists Day as a platform to highlight the essential roles pharmacists play in healthcare delivery. She pointed out that pharmacists are involved in research and ensuring that medicines are accessible, affordable, effective, and used rationally.
Mrs Orakwelu stressed the importance of collaboration in the profession and highlighted challenges such as workforce shortages and financial pressures while reaffirming pharmacists’ commitment to patient care. Mr Olatunji Aloba, Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT Chapter, renewed the call for community pharmacies to be officially designated as primary healthcare centres. He noted that pharmacies are often the first point of contact for patients and that globally, they already serve as primary healthcare centres. He advocated for Nigeria to adopt this standard, as community pharmacists assess patients, provide immediate care, and refer cases when necessary, enhancing the referral system and reducing hospital pressure.
The PSN-FCT marked the day with a health walk and outreach activities in local markets and communities, emphasizing the proactive role pharmacists play in public health.