Health
Pharmacists seek end to dominance of doctors in health sector administration
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what it described as the “institutionalised marginalisation” of non-physician professionals in Nigeria’s health and education sectors.
The call was made in a public memorandum signed by the National Chairman of the association, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, on Thursday.
Ezeh said that the Federal Government was enabling a pattern of physician dominance in key administrative positions by yielding to what he termed the “blackmail tactics” of doctor-led associations including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The association further alleged systemic favouritism towards physicians in appointments to administrative positions such as Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), Provosts of Colleges of Medicine, and heads of health-focused universities.
The ACPN described the trend as “a thriving culture of blackmail” which it said was detrimental to inter-professional equity and the integrity of public institutions.
The memorandum also highlighted pay disparities between physician-lecturers and their non-physician colleagues, noting that doctors who combine academic and hospital duties often earn nearly double, while non-physicians are denied similar consultant status.
Ezeh also decried what he termed administrative incompetence and abuse of power in hospital governance, citing the example of Specialist Hospital, Irrua, where a senior pharmacist was allegedly removed for challenging improper procurement practices.
The ACPN criticised the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for allegedly sidelining pharmacists in vaccine distribution planning, despite their role in the successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines through community pharmacies.
The group also faulted the Federal Ministry of Health for its endorsement of the MEDIPOOL drug procurement initiative, saying it excluded key pharmaceutical stakeholders and called instead for the establishment of a Federal Drug Management Agency to promote transparent and inclusive supply chain practices.
The association concluded by urging the President to issue a directive to end the “outrageously incomprehensible dominance” of physicians in roles unrelated to clinical functions, warning that continued marginalisation of non-physician professionals could deter the youth from pursuing careers in healthcare.
“National growth and development will become stunted if the Federal Government does not wield the big stick. The time to act is now, in the public interest,” the statement said.
The ACPN’s stance adds to growing concerns over inter-professional rivalry and governance challenges within Nigeria’s health and education sectors.
Health
Experts call for pharma sector harmonisation
Health sector experts have called for the harmonisation of pharmaceutical activities in Nigeria to eliminate duplication, enhance efficiency, and improve access to quality medicines and health products.
The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement focused on aligning efforts under the Improving Access to Medicines through Policy and Technical Support (IMPACT) project.
Dr Tayo Hamzat, Supply Chain Management Officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the engagement was timely, considering the number of ongoing but uncoordinated interventions in the sector.
“Harmonisation will lead to faster access to health products, lower costs, improved efficiency, and better regulatory oversight.
“It requires collaboration and a focus on strengthening national systems.”
He described Nigeria’s pharmaceutical system as “robust and huge” but hindered by weak coordination and fragmented management structures.
Dr Francis Ohanyido, Director-General of the West Africa Institute of Public Health, said such collaboration was “common sense” given limited development financing and the need to optimise resources.
“Market shaping is a critical tool.
“Harmonisation can help us identify clear gaps we need to fill, especially in preparation for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
Dr Anthony Ayeke, Programme Manager for Health and Nutrition at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting a resilient, locally driven pharmaceutical sector.
“Harmonisation can accelerate local production, reduce import dependency, and improve healthcare system resilience,” he noted.
He also recommended regulatory streamlining, value chain capacity building, innovation, and public-private partnerships.
Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the Pharmaceutical Value Chain Transformation Committee (PVAC), commended ongoing efforts under the IMPACT project.
Represented by Dr Muhammad Balarabe, Technical Associate at PVAC, he emphasised the committee’s focus on catalysing local production and attracting sustainable investment.
“Let’s use this platform to strengthen partnerships and align interventions with the vision of affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Nigerians,” he said.
Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), said fragmented interventions and redundant regulations had long stunted growth in the sector.
Represented by Prof. Philip Builders, Professor of Pharmaceutics at NIPRD he said: “Equitable access to quality medicine is the foundation of universal healthcare.
“The lack of access is not just a health issue; it’s about equity, national security, and economic survival.
“Harmonisation isn’t just about avoiding duplication; it’s about aligning policy, investment, and technical frameworks to achieve measurable results.”
He urged stakeholders to develop practical short, medium, and long-term strategies to make Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector self-reliant, globally competitive, and able to meet national healthcare demands.
The meeting brought together key government agencies, development partners, and private sector actors, each reaffirming a shared commitment to a unified, efficient pharmaceutical ecosystem in Nigeria.
NAN
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