Stakeholders push reforms in pharmacy practice to improve patient safety
Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector have called for stronger hospital and administrative pharmacy systems to enhance the efficiency and safety of drug delivery across public health facilities in Lagos State.
The call was made during a two-day summit for Heads of Pharmacy Units in the Lagos State Public Service, held in Lekki. The summit, themed “Strengthening Hospital and Administrative Pharmacy Practice for Efficient Pharmaceutical Care Delivery in Lagos State,” brought together key players to address challenges and chart a way forward.
Declaring the summit open, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, described the gathering as timely amid growing demand for patient-centred healthcare. She commended pharmacists for their dedication, noting that their role remains central to achieving safe and efficient healthcare delivery.
Ogunyemi emphasised that access to essential medicines is a key pillar of any functional health system, adding that strengthening pharmaceutical services would significantly improve patient safety and health outcomes.
She noted that Lagos health facilities cater not only to residents but also to patients from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, underscoring the far-reaching impact of pharmacists’ work, and urged participants to leverage the summit for collaboration and innovation.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, charged participants to embrace excellence, continuous learning and professionalism, stressing the importance of diligence in the civil service and encouraged pharmacists to take advantage of digital learning platforms, emerging technologies and mentorship opportunities, while highlighting their role in patient counselling and combating antimicrobial resistance.
In his keynote address, Professor Ayotunde Adebayo of the University of Lagos, described administrative pharmacy as a strategic driver of healthcare delivery beyond drug dispensing, warning that weak systems could lead to drug stockouts, increased costs, patient harm and regulatory sanctions.
Other stakeholders, including Permanent Secretaries from the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Primary Health Care Board and Lagos Health District III, highlighted the importance of strong pharmaceutical systems in ensuring access to safe and affordable medicines.
