In his lecture titled, ”Improving Quality of Health through Healthy Lifestyles and Assessing Quality Pharmaceutical Care”, Dr  Lolu Ojo, a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN) and the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (FNAPharm), acknowledged pharmacists as major stakeholders in healthcare delivery,  noting that they are best positioned to play a unique role in the sector.

The revered pharmacist who stated that there is a need for rational use of medications in order to have favorable medication outcomes, however, added that community pharmacists play an important role in providing proper pharmaceutical care.

In his words,” The modern-day pharmacist, is a university-trained drug expert with a focus on patient care as against erstwhile drug production and distribution focused practice. As such, he is best positioned to play the unique roles of avoiding unnecessary and inappropriate drug use, providing guidance on the right choice of drugs for disease conditions, patient counseling on adherence, as well as medication reviews and treatment outcomes monitoring”, he said.

Similarly, Pharm. Samuel Adekola cautioned the participants, which included royal fathers, politicians, civil servants, health workers, artisans, religious leaders, as well as members of the transport union, against the indiscriminate use of drugs, adding that every drug is a poison if used without prescription from certified personnel.

According to Adekola, people must know that drug is not just a particle or drink but virtually, all drugs are poisons. And for that, people cannot just pick any drug and use it without prescription from a certified pharmacist.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of Ifako-Ijaye General Hospital, Dr Olushola Barnet Amure, who was represented by a principal medical officer in Ifako-Ijaye General Hospital, Dr Oluwatoyin Aiyelotan cautioned participants from sharing their medications with anyone, stating that it is a dangerous thing to do.

She stated that “it is improper to share drugs with anyone no matter the situation. It is possible for you to get a prescription to buy panadol for your headache, it doesn’t mean your husband can use your panadol if he is struck with a headache too. Everyone must go for his prescription separately.”

She explained further why patients shouldn’t share drugs with others, saying the goal is for patients to be able to handle themselves through consequent checkups.

Speaking with us shortly after the forum, Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi, vice-chairman, ACPN King Zone, and planning committee coordinator for the program disclosed the objective of the forum, stating that it is an annual platform of engaging and collaborating with other healthcare providers and patients with a focus on exploring avenues to improve treatment outcomes.