In Commemoration Of The 2025 World Pharmacists Day, CYTOBIZ Medical and Innovation Hub [Research And Development Department]
Authors: ADEDIJI, Naheemah Abidemi¹; ISHIAK, Mustapha Mohammed ²
About:
¹PharmD Student, University of Ilorin, Nigeria | Editor-in-chief, CYTOBIZ Medical and Innovation Hub
²PharmD student, University of Ilorin, Nigeria | Research Intern, CYTOBIZ Medical and Innovation Hub
Who really is a pharmacist? A drug seller behind the counter? A drug producer? Or perhaps, much more?
Too often, when people hear “pharmacist,” what comes to mind is someone (or even a chemist) handing out drugs behind a counter. While community and hospital pharmacists indeed form the most accessible face of the profession, the world of pharmacy stretches far beyond dispensing medicines.
In truth, every medicine – on the pharmacy shelf or in our custody – tells two stories: one of the painstaking scientific discovery in the lab, and another of care and healing in the patient’s body. Between both worlds stands tall the pharmacist.
The pharmacy profession has evolved into a discipline that bridges research, patient care, drug manufacturing, and innovation with public health impacts. Still, challenges remain.
In countries like Nigeria, the recognition of pharmacists continues to spark debate, with growing resistance mainly fueled by misconceptions about their roles.
This year’s World Pharmacists Day theme, “Think Health. Think Pharmacist,” could not be timelier. It challenges these misconceptions, celebrates pharmacists’ expanded roles, and reminds the world that from research to care, pharmacists are everywhere health is involved.
Pharmacy Beyond The Counter
Today, pharmacists ‘ expanding roles involve adapting prescriptions, administering vaccinations, managing chronic diseases, ordering and interpreting lab tests, and even prescribing for minor ailments. Although these services are most visible in the community pharmacies, where patients regularly interact with the pharmacists, they represent only a part of the broader professional umbrella.
Hospital pharmacists play an indispensable clinical role that often goes unnoticed by patients, yet often influences their recovery. They work alongside physicians and nurses on ward rounds and at the bedsides, optimising medication therapy, preventing adverse drug interactions, spearheading pharmaceutical interventions against drug therapy problems, compounding medications, and tailoring doses for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, or critically ill patients. In specialised units like oncology, cardiology, and intensive care, hospital pharmacists ensure that complex treatment regimens are safe and effective for patients.
In light of the expanding clinical roles of pharmacists, countries like the UK and Canada now recognise pharmacists as prescribers, while in African nations like South Africa, pharmacists are actively involved in HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs. On the other hand, some countries, including Nigeria, still struggle to keep up with pharmacy evolution, thus contributing to public misconceptions.
Beyond the clinical roles, pharmacists work in research laboratories, where they design, test, and optimise drug molecules that eventually save millions of lives. In the pharmaceutical industry, they control drug manufacturing while ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of drug products. In academia, pharmacists as educators train the next generation of health professionals and contribute to research that addresses both local and global health needs.
In public health and humanitarian response, pharmacists support vaccination campaigns, disease eradication programs, disease preparedness strategies, and even emergency relief in crisis zones. For less visible but equally powerful roles like regulatory affairs, pharmacists work in agencies like NAFDAC (Nigeria), the U.S. FDA, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to safeguard public health by ensuring drugs and medical products remain safe and effective. Others work in Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and global health organisations, shaping policy and strengthening health systems across borders.
Yet, these examples are only a few of the numerous branches of pharmacy that contribute uniquely to health. Noteworthy is the fact that the diversity of the profession posits pharmacists as indispensable in the healthcare system.
From Research: The Science Backbone
Among the Yoruba, pharmacists are fondly called “Apoogun”– the one who mixes drugs. This phrase, though traditional, echoes the timeless roles of pharmacists as custodians of medicine and science.
From the ancient use of herbal remedies in Babylon, Egypt, India, and China – that lay the bedrock of the pharmacy profession – to today’s cutting-edge biotechnology, the essence of pharmacy has always been preserved and rooted in scientific discovery, innovation, and healing.
In modern times, pharmacists are at the forefront of drug discovery, identifying new therapeutic molecules and ensuring their safety and efficacy through clinical trials.
Additionally, pharmacists contribute to breakthroughs in gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and personalised medicine – the art of tailoring treatment to the genetic makeup of each patient. The vital role of pharmacists in vaccine development and distribution was made evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it continues with the rollout of the malaria vaccine across Africa.
Pharmacists also contribute to pharmacovigilance by monitoring medicines after they reach the public to identify patients who experience harmful adverse effects.
These research efforts ripple down to everyday care: whether it’s a life-saving medication, vaccine, or repurposed drug, in the community or on a hospital ward, or safer dosing guidelines for children.
However, research is not an isolated exploit; it is the invisible thread that links the drug molecule in the laboratory to the pharmacy shelf and bedside. To think health, therefore, is to recognise pharmacists as one of the backbones of drug research and development.
To Care: Pharmacist As Accessible Health Professionals And Trusted Health Advisors
The healthcare delivery system in Nigeria exhibits a pluralistic nature, encompassing both orthodox and traditional healthcare systems. Orthodox healthcare, which is fundamentally anchored in Western medical sciences, comprises facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and primary health centres (PHC).
In a manner analogous to Nigeria’s three-tiered administrative framework, the nation possesses a similarly structured healthcare system. This system is categorised into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care, which are administered at the local, state, and federal government tiers, respectively. Each of these levels fulfils distinct yet interrelated functions to facilitate effective healthcare delivery throughout the country.
Primary Health Centres (PHC) serve as the initial point of engagement between individuals and their families, offering services that encompass immunisation, disease prevention, and the treatment of prevalent illnesses and injuries. The professional cadre may consist of primary healthcare physicians, pharmacists, or nurses.
Among these healthcare professionals, pharmacists assume a particularly integral role within primary health care. Their extensive presence in both urban and rural areas, coupled with extended operational hours and the lack of appointment prerequisites, renders pharmacists more accessible than physicians or nurses.
In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges community pharmacists as vital entry points to healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria, where access to hospitals or physicians may be constrained.
In Nigeria, the National Drug Policy (2005) and the framework established by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) underscore the necessity of incorporating pharmacists in the pursuit of universal access to essential medicines, rational drug utilisation, and health education at the community level.
Pharmacists serve as esteemed health advisors, upon whom individuals depend not solely for the secure provision of medications but also for guidance on appropriate drug utilisation, lifestyle modifications, preventive healthcare measures such as immunisation, and screening for prevalent health conditions.
Their proficiency in the management of medications, along with their integration within communities, situates them as a foundational element of primary health care. Some of the vital roles played by pharmacists in advancing health outcomes include:
Pharmacists’ Role In Universal Health Coverage (UHC) As SDG Target
In recent years, there has been an extraordinary global commitment to realising Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by the year 2030, as delineated in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.8. The successful attainment of UHC by 2030 necessitates the full exploitation of pharmacists’ capabilities within the domain of primary health care. With supportive policies and adequate investment, pharmacies can substantially enhance health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment optimisation, ultimately advancing access, quality, and equity in health for all.
Chronic Disease Management
Chronic diseases have emerged as a significant public health challenge and rank among the foremost causes of mortality and disability. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma necessitate meticulous medication management to regulate disease progression and avert complications.
Through Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services, pharmacists perform comprehensive evaluations of patients’ medications, ensuring that each pharmaceutical agent is suitable, efficacious, and safe. In addition to optimising medication regimens, pharmacists also deliver education and support to patients, empowering them to adhere to their therapeutic protocols and make well-informed health decisions.
Interventions led by pharmacists in chronic disease management are particularly noteworthy, given that 80% of medical treatments involve the administration of prescription medications. When considering chronic disease management, one must inevitably consider the vital role of pharmacists. Think chronic disease management, think pharmacist.
Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The escalating menace posed by antimicrobial resistance represents one of the most formidable challenges in contemporary medicine, resulting in protracted illnesses, augmented complications, increased financial burdens associated with treatment, and heightened mortality rates.
Pharmacists occupy an important role in this endeavour by promoting the judicious utilisation of antimicrobials, educating the public regarding the perils associated with antibiotic misuse, and engaging proactively in antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. Globally, estimates indicate that annually, infections attributed to AMR result in over 70,000 fatalities, a figure that is poised to escalate disproportionately should the present inertia persist.
Additionally, the emergence of infectious strains exhibiting resistance to antimicrobials poses a further threat to global health. In a context where resistant infections already claim thousands of lives each year, the pharmacist’s function as a sentinel for the safe and effective application of medicinal therapies is fundamentally essential. Think AMR control, think pharmacist.
Vaccination And Immunisation Campaigns
Pharmacists have exhibited remarkable adaptability and significance within vaccination initiatives, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have offered testing services, administered vaccinations, and provided patient support, thereby alleviating the burden on already overtaxed healthcare infrastructures.
Beyond emergency scenarios, pharmacists consistently enhance immunisation rates through in-pharmacy vaccination services, travel health consultations, and disease screening initiatives. Empirical evidence substantiates that empowering pharmacists to administer vaccines markedly enhances uptake, thereby fostering more robust herd immunity. Think immunisation, think pharmacist.
Maternal And Child Health
Pharmacists also contribute to maternal and child health by providing essential counselling on nutrition, safe medication use during pregnancy, child immunisation, and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Their involvement strengthens preventive care and reduces the risks of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Think maternal and child health, think pharmacist.
Digital Health And Telepharmacy
The digital transformation has broadened the pharmacist’s outreach beyond the confines of traditional pharmacies. Through telepharmacy and digital health platforms, pharmacists now offer consultations, dispel misinformation, monitor therapeutic regimens, and dispense medication guidance remotely. This advancement guarantees that even patients residing in underserved regions can attain expert pharmaceutical care, thereby improving health outcomes while mitigating disparities. Think digital health solutions, think pharmacist.
Pharmacogenomics And Personalised Medicine
As the healthcare landscape transitions towards precision medicine, pharmacists are increasingly integrating pharmacogenomics to customise treatments according to patients’ genetic profiles. This approach ensures enhanced drug efficacy, reduced adverse reactions, and optimised therapeutic results. Particularly in areas characterised by diverse genetic populations, such as Africa, this role positions pharmacists as vanguards in the promotion of personalised healthcare. Think personalised medicine, think pharmacist.
Conclusion
Remarkably, the pharmacy profession continues to be perceived through a distorted lens that fails to acknowledge the current diversity and scope of pharmacy practice.
Pharmacists are frequently stereotyped as mere producers of medications, pill dispensers, and labellers, with their roles as managers and entrepreneurs no longer accurately reflecting the reality of their contributions. In practice, a typical day for a community pharmacist encompasses addressing inquiries regarding drug side effects, recommending therapeutic alternatives, assessing patient medication histories, and advising on over-the-counter products.
Conversely, the responsibilities of a hospital pharmacist encompass the provision of drug information, medication management, preparation and supply of medicines, patient counselling, and the preparation of pharmaceutical care plans.
The practice of pharmacy has indisputably evolved from its traditional function of distributing medications to a more patient-centred and outcome-oriented model, suggesting that pharmacists now deliver more than mere pharmaceuticals; they offer care, guidance, and services that directly enhance health outcomes.
Acknowledging this transformation is crucial for patients, healthcare teams, and policymakers alike, as the future of healthcare cannot be envisioned without pharmacists at its core.
THINK HEALTH, THINK PHARMACIST.
