By Sola Ogundipe

As the investiture of new Fellows and 10th anniversary of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, NAPHARM, holds in Lagos, nine eminent pharmacists are to be admitted as Fellows thereby bringing the total number of Fellows to 133.

Disclosing this during a media chat, the Vice President, NAPHARM, Pharm Ifeanyi Atueyi said the theme for this year is Healthcare Transformation & National Development.

Atueyi said, “The rationale for this theme is that healthcare is one of the most critical pillars of any society, serving as a foundation for individuals’ well-being and economic growth. When a nation invests in transforming its healthcare system, it invests in its people, the most important asset of a nation and, ultimately, its future.”

He said that the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is one of the seven Academies in Nigeria, nothing the others are Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Academy of Medicine Specialties, Nigerian Academy of Medicine, and Nigerian Academy of Social Sciences.

Further, the Vice President observed that in NAPHARM, Fellows above 70 years are honoured as Life Fellows.

“We have 10 Life Fellows and one new Life Fellow will be added, bringing the number to 11. Among those to be honoured are the Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum. Current Honorary Fellows are General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), and Aare Afe Babalola.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award to honour those who have played significant roles in various sectors. Among the recipients are Prof. Attahiru Jega, Prof. Julius Okojie, and Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe.

Atuenya highlighted the Academy’s pivotal role in advocating for the adoption of the Clinical Pharmacy curriculum by the National Universities Commission, culminating in the establishment of the Pharm. D degree.”

This achievement, he observed, was facilitated by the unwavering support of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas, NAPPSA, and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN.

According to Atueyi, the Academy acknowledges the current challenges faced in obtaining essential medicines in Nigeria and that the scarcity and high cost of medications have become significant concerns.

“We firmly believe that medicine availability should be treated as a matter of national security. When individuals are ill, they rely on medicines for recovery. Therefore, the government must prioritize the growth and development of the pharmaceutical industry and provide sustained patronage.”

In 2016, the NAPHARM launched a mentorship programme to nurture the professional development of young pharmacists.

Building on this success, the Academy, in partnership with the PSN, organised a groundbreaking symposium in 2017 titled “The Imperative of Interprofessional Collaboration.”

The event, featuring a keynote address by Professor Eyitao Lambo, fostered stronger working relationships among various healthcare professionals, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Nurses Association, and six other professional groups.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the Academy has been a champion of pharmaceutical research, advocating for increased funding and support.

A significant milestone was the establishment of the Olu Akinkugbe Research and Innovation Centre (OARIC) in 2018 by General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma.

In recognition of their invaluable contributions to research and development, both General Danjuma and the OARIC were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Fellowship of the Academy, respectively, in 2018.

In 2019, the Academy responded to the growing concern of substance abuse by organising a collaborative effort with NAFDAC and the Lagos State Ministry of Health. A press conference and awareness walk were held in Ikeja on June 10th, followed by a symposium on June 11th. These events aimed to raise awareness and provide information about the dangers of substance abuse.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academy partnered with the Nigerian Guild of Editors to launch a week-long programme designed to educate Nigerians about the virus, its prevention measures, and coping strategies.

The programme featured prominent figures including the then Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the DG of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and influential media personalities.

Also among its achievements, towards addressing the pressing need for advanced research, development, and innovation in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector, the Academy conceived the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy Innovation Centre, NAPIC, to bridge the gaps and foster homegrown solutions to Nigeria’s health challenges.