Pharmacists Advocate for PHC Status and Integration of Herbal Medicine

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has renewed calls for the formal recognition of community pharmacies as primary health care (PHC) centres and for stronger integration of traditional and herbal medicine into Nigeria’s mainstream health delivery system.

This appeal was made during the 2025 World Pharmacists Day celebration in Abuja, held under the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) theme “Think Health, Think Pharmacists.” Speakers urged the government to empower pharmacists with the institutional status and regulatory backing required to expand their role in community health.

Elevating the Role of Pharmacists in Primary Care

According to Dr Abubakar Danraka, Abuja zonal coordinator for the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), pharmacists are working to standardise herbal remedies for safe use. He called on the government to provide political will, institutional support, legal frameworks, and funding to advance this agenda.

He noted that federal bodies such as the Ministry of Health already host departments of traditional and alternative medicine, and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) is developing indigenous medicines. However, he emphasised that stronger commitment and resources are needed to translate policy into practice.

Mrs Salamatu Orakwelu, PSN-FCT Chair, highlighted the wide scope of pharmacists’ contributions — beyond dispensing, they conduct research, ensure medicine access, promote rational use, and support patient care. She also flagged challenges such as workforce shortages and financial constraints, calling for coordinated collaboration across health professions.

Mr Olatunji Aloba, chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT Chapter, echoed the push: community pharmacies should be formally designated as PHCs. He argued that pharmacies already serve as the first point of contact for countless patients, providing immediate care, triage, and referrals, thereby easing the burden on hospitals.

A Path Forward for Herbal Medicine and Pharmacy Integration

Pharmacists believe that integrating validated herbal medicines into national healthcare will bridge gaps in access, especially in rural and underserved communities. Achieving this requires:

• Robust regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, efficacy, and standardisation of herbal products
• Institutional recognition of community pharmacies as primary care hubs
• Collaborative research partnerships between traditional healers, pharmaceutical scientists, and regulatory bodies
• Adequate funding and capacity development at federal, state, and local levels

The PSN-FCT marked World Pharmacists Day with outreach activities, including health walks and public engagement campaigns in local markets and communities.

As Nigeria works to modernise and strengthen its health system, the voices of pharmacists championing both professional recognition and a rational role for traditional medicine remain central to progress.