BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

President of the newly inaugurated Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi has urged pharmacists across the Federation to rise up and save the profession.

Speaking during the official inauguration of the Academy last week in Lagos, he said over the last 30 years, leaders of the pharmacy profession in Nigeria had brainstormed on strategies to achieve a turn-around towards making the profession a more fulfilling and meaningful enterprise not only for pharmacists but also the communities in which they serve.

“The conclusion has become obvious. Only pharmacists can save pharmacy especially in a situation where pharmacy, like every other profession is severely challenged.

“We are in a knowledge driven economy. In order for pharmacy to participate meaningfully in the current national economic arrangement,   there is an urgent need to provide a platform for creating a new paradigm to elevate the relevance of the practice of the profession at all levels, particularly in the areas of improved patient care and international best practice.

“That platform is the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy.  This idea was also encouraged by the existence and role of similar academies in the developing and developed world,” Adelusi-Adeluyi  noted.

Noting that the Academy which brings together successful senior pharmacy professionals, is founded by Fellows from the widest possible spread professionally, occupationally and geographically, he said things can only get better.