Life as a Pharmacist (LP) Stories

“LP Stories” is a PSN-YPG Lagos series that spotlights unique experiences and views of Young Pharmacists in their areas of practice.

Kindly introduce yourself

I’m Pharmacist Fidelis Dube

Hello Pharm. Dube, What year did you finish pharmacy school?

I finished in 2017 from University of Jos

Are you from Plateau state originally or did you just go to Jos for study?

I’m from Benue state, origin-wise. I was born and raised in Lagos; I just went to Jos to study.

Oh wow! That’s nice. What was that experience like?

It was an amazing experience, the people, the weather etc. It had its ups & downs but I’ll say it was all good.

What was your induction day like? How did you feel that day?

It was one of the best days of my life. The memory still remains fresh till this day. I’ll say God made that day possible through my amazing mother. Talking about how I felt... The joy that I felt was just so enormous.

Any expectations going into pharmacy school? What were they?

Before entering Pharmacy school I knew it was going to be a difficult journey through, because I had the opportunity of interacting with a few friends who were studying the course before I got in. I had fears of things like “what if I get withdrawn from the department?”

Those fears however kept me on my toes throughout my stay. I had some good lecturers who would encourage us that there’s a better life waiting for us as Pharmacists after graduation, especially in comparison to our counterparts in other departments.

These encouraging words gave me strength in times of weakness. I also always saw Pharmacists as people who are cashing out and I wanted to cash out too.

I also just wanted to be in the medical field because of job security, so it was always either Medicine or pharmacy for me.

Interesting! Now that you’re on the other side of pharmacy school, have you found those expectations to be true? Like the cashing out and job security, for example.

Well I’ll say yes for both. However, the cashing out part could be better than what it is currently.

Do you have any funny/memorable experiences from your time in pharmacy school?

Naaaaaaaah.

Lool! This long nah. The fear of being withdrawn must have kept you on all fours.

Lol!

What state are you currently practising in? What area?

Lagos state, Community.

What’s it like for you practising as a Community Pharmacist in Lagos?

Well it’s been good, I’m used to the stress, thanks to the training from Pharmacy school and as for the patients I encounter; I’ve learnt to be patient with my patients.

Patient with your patients, nice one. What’s a typical workday as a Pharmacist like for you?

A typical day can involve checking and dispensing medication, communicating with physicians, providing patients with pharmaceutical information and health advice, explaining the proper use of medication, supervising staff/pharmacy technicians, etc.

Are there any funny/memorable experiences you’ve had while going about your job providing patient care?

None that I can think of presently.

Do you have any side hustles that you’re currently pursuing?

None for now, but I’m currently working towards that because one can’t afford to depend on one source of income in this country.

I can relate. What are the things you like about practising pharmacy and the things you don’t like?

One thing I like about the practising Pharmacy is the fact that I get to learn everyday, the learning never ends.

What I really dislike is the fact that I’m practicing the profession in a society where it’s not being appreciated.

Hmm! Do you have hopes/plans to leave for a society where it’s more appreciated?

Most definitely, and I believe every young Pharmacist should have this (relocation) in their to-do list

Care to share other contents of that to-do list for other YPs?

For now I’m still trying to find out the best relocation options available and the processes involved, so I can’t say much on that.

Fair enough. If not pharmacy, what else would you have done?

Medicine and surgery.

Any link for people to get to know you better or would you prefer to be anonymous?

I prefer to be anonymous 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈

Not a problem, thank you for your time.

Mobolaji Uthman, a member of the Editorial Committee did this…

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