The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has called on pharmacists across the country to prioritise the development of the pharmaceutical industry and invest in research to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The National Chairman of NAIP, Mr Bankole Ezebuilo, made the appeal in Ilorin while speaking at the 2025 NAIP Kwara Week.
The event, themed “Technological and Innovative Advancement in the Pharmacy Space,” highlighted the need for innovation and collaboration to drive growth and improve patient care
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.
Bello emphasised on leveraging technology, while embracing and aligning with global trends like using drones to deliver medication to the rural area.
“We can explore using tele pharmacy to make consultations between people far and near. New therapies and personalised therapies, can manufacture drugs that will only affect the diseased cells,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Kwara NAIP Chairman, Mr Isaac Salami, also highlighted the NAIP week is an annual programme of the association aimed at enhancing best practices among members.
He explained that as industrial pharmacist, members engaged in series of conferences and training.
Salami described the theme as apt, adding that technology was dynamic, and new molecules were being developed, which were the basis of technological innovation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event include the presentation of Icon of Pharmacy Award to an Industrial Pharmacist, Mr Ramon Bioku, the CEO of Bioraj Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in Ilorin.
