The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has urged Nigerian pharmacists to prioritise pharmaceutical industry development and research to develop the country’s healthcare system.
National Chairman of the association, Mr Bankole Ezebuilo, made the call in Ilorin, while speaking at the 2025 NAIP Kwara Week.
The theme of the programme is titled: “Technological and Innovative Advancement in the Pharmacy Space”.
Ezebuilo said that focusing on technology, innovation and research would allow for innovation in drug development, manufacturing, and distribution.
According to him, such would advance pharmaceutical knowledge and practice within the country.
“When you talk about the pharmacists, the first thing that comes to your mind is drugs. The industry is our den, without drugs, there is no pharmacy.
“Pharmacists should not leave their den and start playing second fiddle in other people’s den,” he said.
Ezebuilo explained that between the 1980’s and 1990’s, the pharmacy curriculum was geared toward the industry, pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical technology.
He, however, noted that the curriculum has shifted towards clinical practice in recent times, which he also described as a positive development.
He stressed the need to strike a balance and not jeopardise technological and innovative advancement in the pharmacy space in Nigeria.
The chairman pointed out that investing in research and development within the industry was crucial for developing new drugs and therapies tailored towards specific needs of the Nigerian population.
He listed some of the challenges facing the industry to include forex issues, increase in communication and power rate but expressed optimism that the nation still had high potential.
“This is because the return of investment is more, when compared to other countries,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Ibrahim Bello, the former Director and Head of Pharmacy of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, stated that pharmacy has diversified to include other services.