Pharmacists Raise Fresh Fears Over Brain Drain

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has expressed fears over the rising number of pharmacists who are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
PSN Chairman in Oyo State, Mr Abiodun Ajibade, told newsmen on Monday in Ibadan that the association was worried over the massive brain drain that had hit the health sector.
The Tide reports that Ajibade spoke at a news conference held as part of the association’s activities to mark its 2019 Pharmaceutical Week with the theme: “Pharmacy Practice, the Reality of Digitalisation.”
Ajibade said : “Pharmacists’ population in Nigeria is very low; this is in spite of the great potentials for growth occasioned by continuous emigration of pharmacists whom Nigeria has spent heavily on to train.
“Out of less than 30, 000 total population of practicing pharmacists in Nigerian, over 5, 000 of them have gone outside the country.
“In the last couple of months, out of the few numbers of pharmacists in University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, a lot of them have migrated to Canada.
“Most young pharmacists from Nigeria are all on their way to Canada, processing their visas here and there.’’
According to him, among the causes of the mass exodus of pharmacists is their marginalisation and the attendant rivalry with doctors.
“There is no enabling environment for pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.
“ Therefore, pharmacists in the country have such low level of recognition and are underappreciated over their qualitative role in healthcare delivery,’’ he said.
While sparking on the menace of counterfeits and self -medication in the country, Ajibade said that out of pocket payment and lack of universal health insurance had contributed to the challenges.