A-Z of Pharmacy in Nigeria
By Olanrewaju Adeoke
Pharmacy stores in Nigeria are widely referred to as drug stores or chemist shops where people purchase drugs. Unarguably, a pharmacy store serves a critical need beyond drug dispensing. It is a point of care where patients or clients interact with a drug expert, a pharmacist, who offers them adequate and accurate drug information, counselling as well an opportunity for point of care screening on hypertension, diabetes, malaria, hepatitis and other conditions. The pharmacist provides patient-centred care while also ensuring to refer patients to a hospital or laboratory for further examination, in order to aid accurate diagnosis. Community pharmacists, for example, are the health professionals most accessible to the public (PharmaTimes, 2017). They supply medicines in accordance with a prescription or, when legally permitted, sell them without a prescription. Asides ensuring an accurate supply of appropriate, safe and efficacious products, their professional activities also include patient counselling at the time of dispensing of prescription and non-prescription drugs, drug information to health professionals, patients and the general public, in addition to participation in health promotion programmes. They ensure interprofessional relationships with other health professionals in primary health care. (WHO, 1994). Pharmacists in the research space are also skilled in drug discovery and design, to identify a drug molecule with a therapeutic effect. Pharmacists practice in the hospitals, communities, production companies, research centres, public health organisations and so on.
History of Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria
- Hospital Pharmacy Practice: It started as at 1900 in Nigeria when there were only four hospitals located in Lagos, Asaba (Delta State), Abeokuta (Ogun State) and Calabar (Cross-River State). All adopted the same hospital formulary. Three of the hospitals were government-owned and one, a missionary (Catholic) hospital.
- Community Pharmacy Practice: It started in 1887 with Mr Richard Zaccheus Bailey in what is known today as Balogun Street of Lagos State. He opened the first 'pharmacy' store, offering pharmaceutical advice and drug administration to European clients and a few African elites. Other retail pharmaceutical stores did not come into existence until the 1920’s and much later. The West African Drug Company Limited was established in 1924, while commercial Medicine stores (by Chief S. T. Hunponu-Wusu and Mr Robert Olatunji Adebowale) and Phillips Medicine Stores (by Thomas King Ekundayo Phillips) were established in the 1940’s all in Lagos.
- Industrial Pharmacy Practice: it started with May and Baker in 1944, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer in 1954. These pharmaceutical companies were mainly into importation and marketing of pharmaceuticals. Large-scale drug production began in the 60s involving government agencies, multinational companies and private entrepreneurs. Presently, there are more than 115 registered pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria. These companies manufacture various pharmaceutical dosage forms with authorisation and regulation by National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Pharmacy Education in Nigeria
Pharmacy education in Nigeria passed through five developmental stages:
- Training of dispensers through apprenticeship (1887 – 1923)
- Training of dispensers through formal schools of pharmacy e.g. School of Pharmacy (Yaba), School of Pharmacy (Zaria)
- Training of chemists and druggist (1927 – 1972) in School of Pharmacy, Yaba and Zaria and Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan.
- Training of pharmacists at bachelor’s degree level (1963 to date).
- Training of pharmacists at Doctor of Pharmacy Degree level (2016 to date).
Pharmacy career prospects are Hospital pharmacy, Community pharmacy, Wholesale pharmacy, Industrial pharmacy, Veterinary pharmacy, Administrative/ Organizational pharmacy, Pharmacy journalism, Pharmacy education/ the academia.
What you need to Become a Pharmacist
To become a pharmacist, you begin through the primary, secondary and tertiary tiers of education. You should be a lover of science and mathematics and you are required to have at least a credit pass in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English language at the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). On passing your Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), you could apply to a preferred accredited School of Pharmacy and participate in the admission process which could involve an examination. One can also gain admission to study pharmacy through direct entry into second year, unlike the UTME which offers admission into first year. The direct entry has its peculiar requirements. On meeting the cutoff mark for either modes of admission, you will be offered provisional admission to study pharmacy for five years (Bachelor of Pharmacy, B. Pharm) or six years (Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharm D) through UTME; or four years (Bachelor of Pharmacy, B. Pharm) or five years (Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharm D) through DE. Thereafter, you will undergo a one-year mandatory internship in an accredited facility which could be a hospital, community pharmacy, production company or research institution. In addition, you will be expected to undergo another one-year mandatory national service with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). During or after your NYSC, you will be required to write a Pre-registration Exam for Pharmacists (PEP) organised by PCN, to qualify for a permanent license, renewable every year. You must have obtained a provisional license after your induction into the pharmacy profession, on completion of your undergraduates education.
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Ogun State
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom State
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Sokoto State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Gombe State University, Gombe, Gombe State
Faculty of Pharmacy, Kaduna State University, Kaduna State
Asides the PCN, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) also caters to the welfare of pharmacists in Nigeria. The PSN has a number of technical groups which include:
- Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN)
- National Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP)
- National Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA)
- Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHPN)
A practising pharmacist may join any of the technical groups affiliated to his/her area of practice.
SALARY SCALE OF PHARMACISTS
The salary scale of pharmacists who work with the government are based on 2 main criteria:
- Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) which is for hospitals
- Consolidated University Academic Structure (CONAUSS) which is for those in the academia.
These two are dependent on the years of expertise and area occupied.
For Government/ Teaching Hospitals:
Beginner (0-2 years)- N165,000 - N200,000
Intermediate (2 – 5 years)-N250,000 – N450,000
Experienced (5years above) – N450,000 – N800,000
For Private Hospitals:
Beginner (0-2 years)- N75,000 – N 150,000
Intermediate (2 – 5 years)-N150,000 – N250,000
Experienced (5years) – N200,000 – N400,000
[Source: Recommended Pharma (The Pharmacy Portal)]
Pharmacists in community practice and in pharmaceutical production and marketing companies also earn differently from those who work with the government. Salaries may depend on negotiation skill of the pharmacist, ability to attain set targets will also increase the bonuses and extra allowances of the pharmacist. See link below for more information.
https://drugxpert.blogspot.com/2017/11/pharmacist-salary-guide-in-nigeria.html?m=1
Pioneers of Pharmacy in Nigeria
1. Mr Richard Zaccheus Bailey (1829-1911): He was the first person to open a pharmacy store in 1887 at Balogun Street, Lagos having obtained a license from the Governor-in-Council to do so. He also trained many dispensers – Alfred Philip, Julius Apena, Nelson Cole, S. R. Macauley, Moses Da-Roche and John Caulcrick, all of who later trained as physicians.
2. Mr Emmanuel Caulcrick: He was the first registered Nigerian pharmacist. He was registered on the 1st September,1902.
3. Thomas King Ekundayo Phillips (1884 – 1969): He was born in 1884 to the Bishop and Mrs Charles Phillips and later emerged as the first president of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) (1947 – 1951).
4. HRH. Oba John Adetoyese Laoye (1899 – 1975): He was born in 1899 who trained as a dispenser through hospital apprenticeship which he completed in 1917. He served as a government dispenser in many towns in Nigeria including Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Ibadan, Akure, Sapele, Maiduguri, Benin, Warri and Forcados. He was enthroned in 1946. He was a founding father of the Nigerian Western House of Chiefs (1952).
5. Sir kofo Abayomi: Sir kofo Abayomi was one of the early dispensers, who trained through apprenticeship. He served in several hospitals. He was also enlisted in the army as a Sergeant Dispenser during the First World War where he gained valuable experience with and worked under some European pharmacists and physicians.
6. Prof. Dr Cletus Nzebunwa Aguwa
Prof. Dr Cletus Nzebunwa Aguwa was the first academic clinical pharmacist to be employed in Nigeria. He was also the first professor of clinical pharmacy in Africa.
Others notable pharmacists who are qualified to be numbered include, Chief S. T. Hunponu-Wusu, Mr. Azariah Olusegun Ransome-Kuti, , Mr Robert Olatunji Adebowale, Mr. Afolabi, I. Kinoshi, Mr. Peter Etim Archibong, Mr. D. A. Pratt, Dr. Gordon Taylor, Mr. J. P Marquis, Pa Peter Omar Ishaku, Ahaji Adamu Bako Dikko, Chief (Mrs.) Ekanem Bassey Ikpeme etc.
Code of Ethics for Pharmacists
Pharmacy as a profession has a code of ethics which pharmacists must observe on a daily basis towards patients, colleagues, the community and also to themselves.
The Pharmacist’s Responsibilities to his Patients and his Community
- He should be objective in his dealings with patients, placing their good and welfare before financial gains.
- He should not discriminate among patients.
- He should respect patients’ right of confidentiality.
- His professional services should be in the overall interest of the community.
The Pharmacist’s Responsibilities to his Colleagues and Service
- He must cooperate with other colleagues in all professional duties.
- He should seek fair and reasonable remuneration for his services.
- He should provide pharmaceutical efficient services in the organization where he works.
- He must not agree to practice under conditions and terms that will interfere with his professional duties.
- All relevant documents concerning poisons and classified drugs should be duly filled and kept safe.
The Pharmacist’s responsibilities to Self
- He should always be updated with current trends, contemporary ways of drug therapy that ensure competence.
- He should always be professional and embrace etiquettes of pharmacy at all time.
Pharmacy premise - The location must be in accordance with the regulations of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).
- The premise both internally and externally should reflect professional character.
- The pharmacist should always be seen at the premise offering professional services.
- He should avoid drug and service advertisement contrary to PCN regulations.
Indeed, a pharmacist is an esteemed member of the healthcare team who ensures that patients enjoy optimum therapy. The pharmacist works alongside doctors, nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, veterinary doctors and other healthcare professionals. We work together, effectively, to serve you best. The next time you visit a hospital or community pharmacy, be at ease, knowing that you are in the best hands. Do well to contact your pharmacist for your healthcare needs.
