175 Foreign-trained Pharmacists Inducted As PCN Harps On Ethical Practice
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria ,PCN, on Friday, inducted 175 foreign-trained pharmacists into the Nigerian pharmacy profession, charging them to uphold the highest ethical standards, embrace continuous professional development, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable healthcare delivery in the country.
The induction and oath-taking ceremony, which marked the completion of the second cycle of the 2025 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme, FPGOP, was held at the National Universities Commission ,NUC, Abuja.
Addressing the newly inducted pharmacists, the Registrar of the PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the orientation programme was designed to acquaint foreign-trained graduates with the realities of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria and the tropics, in line with the provisions of the PCN (Establishment) Act, 2022.
“I congratulate our inductees, one hundred and seventy-five in number, on your success at the last FPGOP,” Ahmed said, noting that all the candidates had successfully completed the programme at designated centres and passed the required examinations.
He described pharmacy as a noble and versatile profession, offering wide opportunities in industries, community and hospital practice, administration, research, academia, and even non-traditional fields such as information technology, journalism, publishing and governance.
“With this, you have huge options to select from. However, do not undermine the activities of your colleagues. Pharmacy practice is collaborative. You can excel in each of these areas of life,” he added.
The PCN Registrar reminded the inductees that globally, pharmacy graduates are required to undergo 12 months of continuous internship training under the supervision of a registered and licensed pharmacist in a PCN-approved centre.
“The internship period is primarily a training period and a preparation for future opportunities,” he explained.
Ahmed further stressed the importance of Mandatory Continuing Professional Development,MCPD, describing it as critical to maintaining competence, patient safety and relevance in the rapidly evolving healthcare sector.
“The implementation of MCPD is of utmost importance and it is one of the criteria for licensure. This is consistent with World Health Organisation resolutions and directives of the Federal Ministry of Health,” he said, adding that MCPD programmes are available both online and onsite.
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While congratulating the inductees, the Registrar issued a stern warning against professional misconduct, stating that the PCN would not hesitate to investigate and sanction erring pharmacists.
“The PCN frowns at professional misconduct in its entirety. Any proven misconduct could lead to disciplinary action, including removal of the pharmacist’s name from the register for a specified period,” he warned.
On her part, the Chairman of PCN, Pharm. Hajia Wosilat Giwa, charged the newly inducted foreign-trained pharmacists to uphold the highest ethical standards, embrace lifelong learning, and deploy their global exposure to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Describing the FPGOP as a flagship initiative of the Council, the PCN Chairman said the programme was designed to integrate Nigerian pharmacists trained abroad into the country’s practice culture, while ensuring quality, competence and patient safety.
“Today, we are not merely observing a formal ceremony,we are acknowledging the successful integration of global knowledge into our pharmaceutical landscape. This moment marks a significant milestone as our inductees begin their professional journey within the Nigerian context.”
Welcoming the inductees “home,” she applauded them for crossing borders, navigating different educational systems and successfully completing the rigorous orientation programme.
“You have conquered the rigours of the FPGOP and proved your readiness for the Nigerian pharmaspace. Well done,” she stated.
According to her, the FPGOP serves as a critical quality control mechanism, equipping foreign-trained pharmacists with the clinical, legal, regulatory and social competencies required to practise effectively in Nigeria.
By completing the programme, she noted, the inductees had demonstrated the resilience and adaptability expected of modern pharmacists and were now well positioned to merge international best practices with the realities of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
As the pharmacists took their professional oath, Giwa reminded them that their role in public health was anchored on public trust, stressing that the PCN would continue to enforce strict adherence to ethical standards.
She further observed that Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector was at a pivotal stage, with growing emphasis on local drug manufacturing, research and innovation, access to safe and quality medicines, and the strengthening of primary healthcare services.
“Your expertise is urgently required to optimise medication therapy management,” she said, adding: “To whom much is given, much is expected. The investment your families have made in you must now reflect in your service to humanity.”
The PCN Chairman commended the Registrar and staff of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria for their commitment to the successful organisation of the programme, while also thanking the National Universities Commission for providing the venue for what she described as an auspicious academic and professional event.
Turning to parents and guardians, Giwa expressed appreciation for their sacrifices, noting that their children had joined a noble profession that remains a pillar of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.