Sources: Independent NG
NBM Celebrates Pharmacists, Seeks Stronger Role In Nigeria’s Healthcare
The NBM of Africa Worldwide has called for stronger recognition and support for pharmacists as frontline partners in Nigeria’s healthcare system, as the organisation felicitated the nation’s pharmacists on the 2026 World Pharmacists Day.
In a goodwill message to mark the celebration, the President of NBM of Africa Worldwide, Dr Charles Chimezie, Ph.D., described pharmacists as critical to the nation’s healthcare architecture, given their roles in medicines management, patient safety, disease prevention and access to quality healthcare.
The 2026 World Pharmacists Day, observed on September 25, is themed “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures,” a theme which, according to Chimezie, underscores the need to equip and empower professionals whose work directly affects the health and wellbeing of millions of Nigerians.
He said the contribution of pharmacists extends beyond dispensing medicines, noting their growing roles in patient counselling, public health education, disease prevention, medication safety and supporting other healthcare professionals in delivering effective care.
Chimezie said the occasion was also an opportunity to acknowledge pharmacists who serve communities and vulnerable populations, particularly those whose professional duties intersect with humanitarian interventions and efforts to improve access to healthcare.
He recalled that NBM of Africa Worldwide, through its humanitarian and community-focused initiatives, had consistently promoted interventions aimed at improving the wellbeing of vulnerable people and underserved communities, stressing that healthcare remains central to the organisation’s commitment to humanity.
According to him, partnerships between professional bodies, government institutions, healthcare practitioners and humanitarian organisations are essential to addressing gaps in healthcare access and ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians are not left behind.
The NBM president urged pharmacists to remain committed to professional ethics, continuous learning, innovation and service to humanity, while calling on governments and relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment for them to deploy their expertise more effectively.
He also advocated stronger collaboration among pharmacists, doctors, nurses, regulators and other healthcare professionals, saying an integrated approach was necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and improve patient outcomes.
Chimezie congratulated pharmacists in Nigeria and across the world on the celebration, appreciating their dedication to the preservation of lives and reaffirming NBM of Africa Worldwide’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance healthcare, humanitarian service and the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.