Industry Leaders in the pharmaceutical sector have called for strengthened hospital and administrative pharmacy systems to improve efficient and safe drug delivery across public health facilities in Lagos State.
The call was made at a two-day summit for Heads of Pharmacy Units in the Lagos State Public Service held between Wednesday March 25 and Thursday March 26, 2026 at Orchid Hotel, Lekki, with the theme, “Strengthening Hospital and Administrative Pharmacy Practice for Efficient Pharmaceutical Care Delivery in Lagos State.”
Declaring the summit open, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, described the gathering as timely amid growing demand for patient-centred healthcare, reports Daily Independent.
Ogunyemi commended pharmacists across the state for their dedication, noting that pharmaceutical services remain central to achieving safe and efficient healthcare delivery.
She said, “This retreat comes at a critical time when the demand for safe, efficient and patient-centred healthcare continues to grow. The role of pharmacists remains central to achieving these goals.”
The Special Adviser emphasised that essential medicines constitute a key building block of any health system, adding that strengthening pharmaceutical services would enhance patient safety and improve health outcomes.
She further noted that Lagos health facilities cater not only to residents but also patients from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, underscoring the far-reaching impact of pharmacists’ work.
Ogunyemi urged participants to leverage the summit for knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration, encouraging them to co-create practical solutions to challenges facing pharmaceutical practice.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, charged participants to embrace excellence, continuous learning and self-development in their professional journey.
Lajide stressed the importance of diligence and professionalism, noting that civil servants must strive to give their best regardless of recognition or supervision.
She said, “Wherever you find yourself, put in your best. Do not be concerned about who is watching. Your diligence and excellence will speak for you.”
The permanent secretary also highlighted the need for capacity building, urging pharmacists to take advantage of digital learning platforms and evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence.
She further underscored the importance of mentoring younger professionals and documenting institutional processes to ensure continuity in the civil service.
On patient care, Lajide emphasised the critical role of pharmacists in counselling patients, particularly on proper medication use to combat issues such as antimicrobial resistance.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Ayotunde Adebayo of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, described administrative pharmacy as a strategic driver of healthcare delivery beyond drug dispensing.
Adebayo explained that effective pharmacy administration rests on key pillars including human resources, finance, supply chain management and legal compliance.
He warned that poor administrative systems could lead to drug stockouts, increased costs, patient harm and regulatory sanctions, stressing the need for robust governance structures.
The keynote speaker advocated adoption of digital systems such as hospital information systems, e-prescribing and inventory management tools to improve efficiency and accountability.
He added that Lagos must prepare for future trends including artificial intelligence, blockchain and local drug manufacturing to meet the demands of its growing population.
In a goodwill message, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Cecilia Mabogunje, represented by the Director Pharmaceutical Services, Health Service Commission, Pharm. Modupe Bakare, said the summit was a deliberate intervention to strengthen pharmaceutical systems.
Mabogunje noted that the retreat provided an opportunity to identify gaps, align best practices and develop strategies for improved pharmaceutical care delivery across the state.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, represented by the Director Pharmaceutical Services, Pharm. Shakirat Adeosun, highlighted the importance of strong pharmaceutical systems in ensuring access to safe and affordable medicines at the grassroots.
Mustafa said initiatives such as the Drug Revolving Fund and strengthened supply chains have improved access to essential medicines, adding that pharmacists now play broader roles in policy, data management and digital health integration.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, represented by the Director Pharmaceitical Services, Lagos Health District III, Pharm. Ololade Oloyede, described the summit as timely in addressing the evolving role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery.
Adeleke emphasised that strengthening administrative and hospital pharmacy practice would enhance service delivery, regulatory compliance and patient outcomes.
In another goodwill message, the Director, Lagos State Zonal Office of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Dr. Taiwo Filusi, represented by Pharmacist Samuel Onoja, commended the Ministry of Health for organising the summit.
Filusi noted that such engagements promote professional development, harmonisation of best practices and improved pharmaceutical services across health institutions.
Earlier in her welcome address, Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Pharm. (Mrs.) Olawale Poluyi, described the summit as a strategic engagement to reposition pharmaceutical practice.
Poluyi noted that pharmacists must assume stronger leadership roles in governance, patient safety, supply chain efficiency and rational medicine use to improve health outcomes.
She urged participants to maximise the opportunity for experience sharing and collaboration, stressing that outcomes from the summit should translate into measurable improvements in service delivery.
In her closing remarks, the Director Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Pharm. Modupe Bakare appreciated participants and organisers, noting that the summit provided practical insights that would impact service delivery.
She urged participants to remain interactive and committed to applying lessons learned at their various duty posts, expressing optimism that the outcomes would strengthen pharmaceutical care delivery in Lagos State.
