By Gabriel Olawale
AS part of measures to reduce the incidence of wrong career choices among Nigerian adolescents, the Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN), Ikeja Zone, gave its annual career talk to guide students of Agidingbi Senior Grammar School Ikeja, Lagos, on choice of pharmacy as a life career.

The Chairperson, Dr. Anastasia Osarenkhoe who gave the talk explained that the programme was also tosensitise the students on who a pharmacist is and what it takes to become one. She said pharmacists are considered one of the most visible and most accessible health care professionals in the world.

“Pharmacists are trusted to help you with some of your most personal concerns. They are regarded as one of the most trusted professions in the world. Pharmacy has always been an exciting and rewarding career, but has recently become on the most pursued fields in the health care industry.”

She said a science student who wishes to study pharmacy as a course in the university, is expected to spend five years  through the UTME admission, and four years for the direct entry applicants who must have studied a relevant science course in the first degree. UTME admission requires five SSCE credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Stating that pharmacy is one of the noblest professions in the world, Osarenkhoe said pharmacists are custodians of drugs without which the health profession has no substance. “As a pharmacist, you may not be rich but also you will not be poor, you cannot be out of job, you will be contented in life and the career opportunity is everywhere.”

Secretary of the Association Pharm. Livinus Emereonye urged government to urgently tackle the problem of drug hawking as drugs are not articles of trade to be sold anywhere and by anybody.