Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN)

By Pharm Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, FPSN, FNAPharm
President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria

Introduction

The year 2025 marked a decisive chapter in the journey of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). Building on the foundation laid by our predecessors, this administration pursued a path of consolidation, institutional strengthening, and strategic advancement guided by the ADVANCE Agenda.

Despite the complexities of national health reforms, political transitions, regulatory disputes, and workforce realignments, the PSN recorded tangible progress across governance, advocacy, education, regulation, welfare, and public health engagement.

This report highlights the key achievements of the 2024/2025 administrative year, mapped across the seven pillars of our flagship ADVANCE governance framework.

A – Advocacy for the Pharmacy Profession

2025 was a year of proactive, sustained advocacy to defend the profession, strengthen regulatory integrity, and secure pharmacists’ rightful place within Nigeria’s health architecture.

Key Achievements

1. High-Level Advocacy Visits

Engagements with NAFDAC, NDLEA, NIPRID, FMoH, National Assembly, and Federal MDAs ensured:

Protection against anti-pharmacy bills

Inclusion of pharmacists in major national health reform discussions

Reinforcement of regulatory authority of PCN

2. Protective Legal Interventions

PSN, working with PCN, secured major legal victories, including the Federal High Court judgment of October 29, 2025 reaffirming PCN’s authority to regulate veterinary medicines.

3. Legislative Resistance & Policy Defense

We successfully neutralized multiple attempts to undermine pharmacy practice:

Attempts to legalize “Pharmacy Technologists”

Bills seeking to cede custody of veterinary medicines to veterinarians

Proposals to delist Consultant Pharmacists from hospital consultancy structure

4. Strengthened Regulatory Collaboration

A renewed partnership with PCN ensured alignment on inspection standards, CPD policies, digital reforms, and national workforce structures.

D – Digital Transformation of Pharmacy Practice

A major priority in 2025 was accelerating digitization across PSN systems and the regulatory ecosystem.

Key Achievements

1. Digital Secretariat Reform

Digitization of PSN Secretariat records and archives

Structured departmental communication channels

Digital reporting, workflow management, and accountability frameworks

2. Digital ID System

The PSN–First Bank/Providus Bank co-branded multipurpose ID card project reached an advanced implementation stage.

3. PCN Digital Reforms

CBT-based National Pre-Certification Examination (NPCE) for Pharmacy Technicians

Sustained digital PEP examinations for Pharmacists

Contribution to Nigeria’s successful WHO Maturity Level 3 regulatory certification

Electronic inspection and monitoring upgrades

V – Vital Education & Professional Development

2025 expanded the visibility, quality, and global relevance of Nigerian pharmacy education.

Key Achievements

1. Support for University & School Accreditations

PCN conducted advisory visits, accreditation inspections, and programme audits for both pharmacy schools and Schools of Health Technology.

2. Strengthened Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Collaboration with PCN and technical groups delivered improved MCPD access and harmonization.

3. Journal of Pharmacy Advancement

Two editions of the Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy were published

Revenue generation exceeded ₦2.4 million

Improved indexing, visibility, and academic contributions

4. International Engagements

FIP World Congress (Denmark)

WAPCP Symposium (Sierra Leone)

NAPPSA Meeting (Chicago)

These strengthened Nigeria’s global voice in pharmaceutical policy and education.

A – Advancing Public Health Impact

2025 deepened PSN’s footprint in primary healthcare, public health advocacy, and community-based pharmaceutical care.

Key Achievements

1. Strengthening Community Pharmacy in PHC

Through the PSN Foundation’s IntegratE and ePharma4FP projects:

707,761+ children accessed PHC services in project states

Over 421,260 cases of malaria treated by trained CPs and PPMVs

207,630 children treated for diarrhoea with ORS/Zinc

Major contributions to child health, AMR containment, and maternal care

2. Task Shifting & Task Sharing (TSTS) Policy Domestication

Lagos State

Kano State

Kaduna State

3. National Policy Development Support

8th National Essential Medicines List

National Prescription & Dispensing Policy

Electronic Pharmacy Policy & Guidelines

4. National Health Campaigns

Rational drug use

Vaccination

Antimicrobial stewardship

Safe medicine practices

N – Nurturing Resource Mobilization

2025 saw significant progress in strengthening the financial and asset base of PSN.

Key Achievements

1. PSN Property Development

Surulere Lagos apartments now yielding ₦10 million annually

Lekki Paradise apartments yielding ₦6 million annually

BOT arrangements activated for development of Victoria Island property

Abuja property construction rescheduled for the 2025/2026 fiscal cycle

2. Improved Revenue Streams

Journal revenues

Conference registrations

Partnerships and collaborations

3. Donor and Development Partnerships

Partnerships with organizations like SFH, RTSL, WHO, and PCN strengthened PSN’s resource pool.

C – Commitment to Operational Excellence & Governance

Key Achievements

1. Secretariat Restructuring

Enhanced workflow coordination

New administrative architecture

Better documentation and accountability

2. Governance Stability

7 NEC meetings held

8 Council meetings held

Smooth implementation of NEC decisions

3. Registration of New BOT

PSN successfully completed CAC registration and secured a new Certificate of Incorporation.

4. Strengthened Transparency

Adoption of performance reporting, financial documentation, and structured internal processes.

E – Encouraging Interprofessional Collaboration & Harmony

Active participation in national policy consultations

Engagement with NMA, JOHESU, NANNM on workforce reforms

Prevention of attempts to undermine Consultant Pharmacists’ recognition

Robust collaboration with past presidents, technical groups and interest groups

Participation in interagency task forces (e.g., anti-counterfeit task force)

Special Presidential Wins of 2025

1. Total Ban on Pharmacy Technologist Cadre

Legal and regulatory triumph securing the global-standard workforce structure.

2. Landmark Court Victory Against VCN

Reaffirming PCN’s authority in regulating veterinary medicines.

3. Retirement Age Victory

Pharmacists: 65 years

Consultant Pharmacists: 70 years (parity with physicians).

4. Central Internship Placement System Approved

5. Strengthening the Secretariat and National Visibility

From improved media presence to international representation.

Outlook for 2026

Full digital integration of membership & licensing systems

Implementation timeline for Pharm.D as minimum entry qualification

Establishment of a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy

Expansion of international partnerships

Strengthened governance & internal efficiency

Broader public health engagement

Deeper investment in community pharmacy transformation

Conclusion

The year 2025 was one of purposeful consolidation, visible reforms, and renewed professional unity.

Despite challenges, our profession stands stronger, more aligned, and better positioned for future advancement.

We look toward 2026 with confidence, clarity, and the unwavering commitment to ADVANCE the profession and strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

Long live the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.