PSN Urges Pharmacists to Expand Role Beyond Drug Dispensing, Embrace AI

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has urged pharmacists across Nigeria to move beyond the traditional dispensing of medicines and take a broader role in patient care, disease prevention, public health and technology-enabled healthcare delivery.

PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, made the call in his message marking World Pharmacists Day 2026, themed “Empowering Pharmacists for a Healthier Future.”

Tanko said the changing healthcare environment, including advances in artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, new medicines and personalised treatment, requires pharmacists to continuously update their knowledge and adapt their practice.

He urged pharmacists to embrace technology while maintaining evidence-based practice and keeping patients at the centre of care.

Beyond dispensing medicines

According to Tanko, the pharmacist's responsibility extends beyond supplying medicines to patients.

He described pharmacists as healthcare professionals, educators, counsellors, advocates and partners in patient care, highlighting their role in helping patients understand how to use medicines safely and effectively.

He said pharmacists should help patients understand appropriate dosage and timing, possible adverse effects and precautions, while identifying potential drug-drug, food-drug and drug-disease interactions and supporting treatment adherence.

The PSN president also highlighted the accessibility of community pharmacists, noting that many Nigerians seek their services before visiting hospitals.

Strengthening the public health role

Tanko called on pharmacists to expand their contribution to public health through services such as vaccination awareness, blood pressure and blood glucose screening, health education and smoking cessation support.

He also urged pharmacists to contribute to maternal and child health programmes where appropriate and within their professional competence.

The call is consistent with recent efforts by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to strengthen the role of community pharmacies within primary healthcare.

Tanko urged pharmacists to implement the recent ACPN resolution on pharmacy-based clinics, while emphasising the importance of proper documentation and data collection.

The ACPN has separately advocated greater integration of community pharmacies into primary healthcare and called for government support for a Pharmacy First Initiative.

Warning over unsafe medicine use

Tanko also called for stronger action against unsafe medication practices, including self-medication, counterfeit medicines and inappropriate antibiotic use.

He stressed that pharmacists have a professional responsibility to ensure that medicines are used safely and effectively and to help protect patients from preventable medication-related harm.

On antimicrobial resistance, he emphasised the importance of responsible use of anti-infective medicines, noting that appropriate medicine use has implications beyond the treatment of individual patients.

Collaboration across healthcare

The PSN president also called for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals, stressing that healthcare delivery should be approached as a team effort centred on patient welfare.

“Healthcare is not a competition. It is teamwork. When healthcare professionals work together, the greatest beneficiary is the patient,” he said.

Tanko further urged pharmacists and future pharmacists to uphold the dignity and integrity of the profession, continue learning, embrace innovation, speak out against unsafe medication practices and support the development of younger pharmacists through mentorship.

PSN prepares for centenary

Tanko also announced that the PSN would begin activities marking its centenary in the first quarter of 2027.

According to the PSN president, the programme will include a formal centenary declaration, the launch of a Centenary Endowment Fund, public lectures, a centenary publication and a Centenary Banquet and Awards Night.

He said pharmacists have an important role in building a healthier society, noting that every prescription reviewed, patient counselled, medicine safely dispensed and health education programme delivered can contribute to better health outcomes.

“We are not just dispensers of medicines. We are guardians of safe and effective medication use. We are educators. We are patient advocates. We are partners in healthcare,” Tanko stated.

The message comes as Nigeria's pharmacy sector continues to face changing expectations around medicine safety, antimicrobial resistance, primary healthcare access and the use of digital technologies in healthcare delivery.

Sources

• Vanguard – “Pharmacists must go beyond drug dispensing, embrace technology –PSN”

• Nigerian Tribune – “Fight drug abuse, embrace AI, PSN tells pharmacists”

• Vanguard – “ACPN urges FG to adopt Pharmacy First Initiative for healthcare transformation”