Mrs Lydia Olanrewaju, the former Head, Oncology Pharmacy Unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has called on practitioners to prioritise continuous knowledge acquisition to improve service delivery and patient safety.
Olanrewaju made the call in Ilorin during the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara Pharmacy Day and Merit Award Ceremony.
The theme of the programme is “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures” and sub-theme “Together for Better Health”
Olanrewaju observed that the rapidly evolving nature of medicine, drug research and healthcare technology demands that pharmacists remain lifelong learners.
According to her, the landscape of pharmacy is changing everyday as
new drugs are coming, new treatment guidelines are emerging, and patients are more informed than before.
“If we do not seek knowledge deliberately, we risk becoming irrelevant and, worse, we risk compromising patient care,” Olanrewaju said.
Olarewaju, who is also a consultant pharmacist, noted that knowledge goes beyond the classroom and registration requirements.
She urged pharmacists to attend trainings, read journals, participate in research, and embrace digital health tools.
She said continuous learning will also help pharmacists take leadership roles in public health, drug abuse prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship.
The pharmacist advised the practitioners to lay emphasis on specialization and also collaborate together and other healthcare workers.
In his address, the Chairman of PSN Kwara, Mr Mohammed Baba-Abdulmalik said the programme is an opportunity to recognise the remarkable contributions of pharmacists who have strengthened and enhanced the image of pharmacy in the state.
Baba-Abdulamalik said that the PSN-Kwara have recorded milestone including the attainment of a record number of approved Fellows of the PSN.
The PSN chairman explained that the association recorded improved remuneration for members of the young pharmacists group and also significant improvement in the remuneration of pharmacies with Kwara health system.
He also disclosed that the association has procured two plots of lands for the proposed PSN water factory project which will serve as capital project and a lasting legacy for pharmacists in the State.
Also speaking, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam emphasised the need for collaboration in achieving better health outcome.
She described PSN as custodian of medicines and drugs, adding that the state government recognises the strategic importance of pharmacists to healthcare sector.
El-Imam commended the health intervention of the government including restoring pharmacists intern scheme and updating CONHESS twice.
The commissioner urged the association to safeguard professional ethics, while advising them to increase research into Antimicrobial Drug Resistance (AMR).
