The Federal Government has come out to urge consultant pharmacists to research more to enhance healthcare delivery in the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Alhaji Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi recently revealed this while declaring open a sensitization workshop to kickstart the implementation of the Pharmacists Consultant Cadre within the healthcare system in Nigeria.

According to him, the research and development of their cutting edge skills to be consistent with international standards is key to make the nation’s health sector more effective.

He added that he hopes the workshop will eradicate the ear of brain drain to other parts of the world in search of specialization and better remuneration.

His words, “It must be emphasised at this juncture that research and development must be key, cutting edge skills that are of international standards must be key and must be consistent during the training.”

“The event “marks a seismic change in the evolution of the Pharmacy profession and the provision of pharmaceutical care in the healthcare delivery system in the country”, Abdullahi explained, “the creation of the Consultant Pharmacists Cadre by the National Council on Establishment (NCE) is part of the overall effort of the Government to reposition the Pharmacy Profession for the provision of more improved and quality healthcare services to the people.”

“It is also hoped that this will stem the tide of brain drain to other parts of the world in search of specialization and better remuneration.”

“The creation of the Consultant Cadre for Pharmacists in Civil Public Service in Nigeria was based on well-coordinated government processes and procedures.”

“For the recognition of the need to improve the Pharmacists Practice in Nigeria, the NCE granted the approval for the inclusion of the Pharmacists Consultant Cadre in the Civil/Public Service.”

“The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) on its part had since 22nd September 2015, directed all its Departments and Parastatals/Agencies to recognize and accept the students of the West African College of Pharmacists (WACP) for Residency Programme and provide necessary assistance to make the Programme a success. This is in line to develop the requisite manpower needed to feed the newly created Cadre.”

“For the implementation of the approved scheme, the FMoH liaise with the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission to include Consultant Pharmacists in the specialist’s allowance for consultant healthcare professionals. The salary structure for the Consultant Pharmacists Cadre is therefore contained as the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) 13 – 15, which is the equivalent of the Salary Grade Level (SGL) 15 – 17.”

“The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, being the Agency of Government charged with responsibility among others, of regulating and controlling Pharmacy education, training and practice in all aspects and ramifications, must ensure to justify the confidence reposed on it for the appropriate implementation of this scheme.”

“Accordingly, sensitization workshops such as this, all across the country, should provide a platform for increased awareness on what the Government expects from Consultant Pharmacists and ensure consistency in the implementation of the Cadre as the scheme of service comes to effect.”

“Pharmacists on their part must dig deep to justify this huge investment embarked upon by the Government in spite of its lean financial resources worsened by the global COVID-19 pandemic that has led to economic recession across the world.”