From Edirin Robinson, in Kaduna
The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) has urged pharmacists to maintain high ethical standards and leadership qualities, as prescribed by the Council, to become exemplary professionals contributing to providing quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
During the 10th Oath-Taking/Induction ceremony for pharmacy graduates at Kaduna State University (KASU), the Registrar of PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim B. Ahmed, emphasized the importance of active participation in the field. He cautioned newly inducted pharmacists and frontline health workers to avoid the “register-and-go” syndrome, where pharmacists only practice on paper without engaging in fieldwork. He highlighted that this practice could tarnish the reputation of the profession.
Pharm. Ibrahim underscored the necessity for pharmacists and health workers to proactively offer professional advice and interventions related to medications, particularly during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic and the diphtheria outbreak.
“In a world where change is the only constant, the PCN recognizes the challenges pharmacists face due to evolving medical practices, technological advancements, increasing disease burdens, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and drug resistance. Therefore, I urge you all to learn lifelong to improve your skills,” he stated.
He also announced that to ensure strict adherence to ethical standards, the PCN Act provides for the establishment of an Investigative Panel and a Disciplinary Tribunal to address issues of professional misconduct.
“As pharmacists, you are expected to familiarize yourselves with the Code of Professional Ethics, which outlines your professional and moral responsibilities to patients, colleagues, other healthcare professionals, your employers, and the general public,” he said. “Strict compliance with the Code of Ethics is essential for practicing pharmacy. The Council condemns professional misconduct in all forms, and any violation will be treated with utmost seriousness.”
Pharm. Ibrahim noted that once registered as pharmacists, the graduates would be well-positioned to compete with their peers in various practice areas. He encouraged them to make meaningful contributions in their fields, especially during public health emergencies.
“Pharmacy is a noble profession that opens up various career opportunities across different sectors, including industries, community health, hospitals, administration, research, academia, and even fields such as information technology, journalism, publishing, and governance,” he explained. “With diligence, you can excel in any of these areas through appropriate guidance and mentoring, which will enhance your critical thinking, decision-making, social skills, leadership abilities, and inter-professional relationships.”
The Registrar also mentioned that the PCN has implemented a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program to ensure the ongoing proficiency and relevance of pharmacists within the healthcare team. “The implementation of this program aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) resolutions and complies with the directives of the Federal Ministry of Health issued at the maiden Health Summit in 1996,” he noted.
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of KASU, Prof. Abdullahi I. Musa, urged the graduates to become ambassadors for their institution by adhering to the ethical standards of their profession. “They have undergone rigorous training that has prepared them to be pharmacists, and we expect them to lead by example. Nigeria needs its contributions to maintain a healthy populace as a global citizen. For current students who have yet to graduate, we recognize that this journey is challenging, but with diligence and commitment to their studies and practice, success is attainable. We encourage them to follow the path taken by these graduates,” he said.
In his address, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. M.A. Garba, noted the significance of the oath-taking ceremony as a fundamental requirement for qualifying as pharmacists. He remarked that this year’s induction was historic, with a record number of sixty graduates inducted, the highest since the faculty’s establishment.
The Dean also disclosed that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) had honored Kaduna State University by selecting it to host the second cycle of the induction ceremony.
