Healthcare Delivery: NBM Of Africa Seek Greater Recognition For Pharmacists

by Idahosa Musa

The NBM of Africa Worldwide has called for an expanded role for pharmacists in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, saying their expertise is crucial to protecting patients, improving access to medicines and closing persistent gaps in healthcare services across the country.

The organisation made the call in a goodwill message by its President, Dr Charles Chimezie, Ph.D., to mark the 2026 World Pharmacists Day, celebrated on September 25 with the theme, “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures.”

Chimezie said pharmacists remained indispensable to the nation’s healthcare architecture, stressing that their responsibilities extended beyond dispensing medicines to include patient counselling, medication safety, disease prevention and public health education.

He said empowering pharmacists to play a greater role in healthcare delivery would strengthen efforts to ensure that Nigerians, particularly people in vulnerable and underserved communities, have access to safe medicines and appropriate health information.

The NBM president also highlighted the contribution of pharmacists working at the community level and in humanitarian settings, where their expertise, he said, could help address healthcare inequalities and improve outcomes for people facing limited access to essential services.

He therefore called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, professional bodies, pharmacists, doctors, nurses, regulators and humanitarian organisations to build a more coordinated healthcare system capable of responding effectively to the needs of Nigerians.

Chimezie urged pharmacists to uphold professional ethics, embrace continuous learning and innovation, and remain committed to service to humanity, while asking governments and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for them to deploy their expertise.

He congratulated pharmacists in Nigeria and across the world on the celebration, commending their role in preserving lives and reaffirming the NBM’s commitment to supporting healthcare and humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of vulnerable Nigerians.