PSN
Beyond Dispensing: How Pharmacists Can Help Nigeria Tackle Non-Communicable Diseases
Dr Abubakar Abdulhakim has highlighted pharmacists' potential contribution to non-communicable disease prevention and management, including screening, lifestyle counselling, medication optimisation and patient education.
Pharmacists can play a greater role in preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through health education, screening, lifestyle counselling and medication management, Dr Abubakar Abdulhakim has said.
Abdulhakim, of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, made the remarks during the PSN Kaduna State Branch's World Pharmacists Day 2026 Scientific Conference on Saturday, September 26.
His presentation, titled “The Role of Pharmacists in Curbing Non-Communicable Diseases,” examined the contribution pharmacists can make across the prevention, early detection, treatment optimisation and long-term management of NCDs.
Pharmacists and Primary Prevention
Abdulhakim identified lifestyle counselling and health education as important areas for pharmacist intervention in the prevention of NCDs.
He highlighted areas including weight management, nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation and alcohol moderation as modifiable risk factors that pharmacists can address through patient counselling.
The presentation also emphasised the accessibility of community pharmacies, particularly for people who may not regularly interact with formal healthcare facilities.
According to Abdulhakim, the accessibility and community presence of pharmacists create opportunities for greater involvement in NCD prevention and early detection.
Screening and Early Detection
The lecturer also highlighted the potential of community pharmacies as settings for screening and early identification of NCDs.
He noted that pharmacy-based screening can help identify people at risk and facilitate timely intervention or referral, while point-of-care testing can provide opportunities for pharmacists to identify patients requiring further assessment.
Medication Management and Adherence
Abdulhakim identified medication therapy management as a core area through which pharmacists can contribute to NCD care.
He said pharmacists can assess medication appropriateness, identify gaps in therapy, monitor medication use, address potential interactions and adverse effects, and support adherence among patients with chronic conditions.
The presentation also highlighted the role pharmacists can play in identifying cost-related barriers and helping patients consider lower-cost alternatives where appropriate.
Beyond Medicines
The presentation placed the pharmacist's role in NCD care beyond the traditional focus on dispensing medicines.
Abdulhakim discussed vaccination, health education, self-care support, early detection and long-term management as additional areas in which pharmacists can contribute to NCD control.
He also highlighted the importance of policy and regulatory support, including integrating pharmacists into national NCD strategies, reviewing scope-of-practice frameworks, developing sustainable funding models and investing in education and continuing professional development.
A Broader Role for Pharmacists
Abdulhakim concluded that pharmacists' accessibility, expertise and community trust position them to contribute more significantly to NCD prevention and management.
His presentation called attention to the need to strengthen the systems, training and professional frameworks required to enable pharmacists to contribute effectively to the growing NCD burden.