The need for collaboration among all healthcare service providers in the interest of patients, took the centre stage at the debut Clinical Pharmacy Day 2025 of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The event which was held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, Idi Araba, Lagos, had the theme: Clinical Pharmacy in Patients Care and Research. It was graced by stakeholders across all areas in clinical pharmaceutical practice.
The Provost of College of Medicine, UNILAG (CMUL), Professor Ademola Oremosu set the tone for the event by congratulating the department and faculty on the debut outing. He described it as another platform to showcase and celebrate the quality of work being done in pursuit of the UNILAG Future-Ready agenda.
Professor Oremosu encouraged every member of the faculty to keep pushing the barriers in their respective fields while adding value to patients’ care.
Similarly, the Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG, Professor Gloria Ayoola described the maiden Clinical Pharmacy Day as a platform to showcase the Department’s contributions in pharmaceutical development endeavors and the future of pharmaceutical practice. She added that the celebration captures the transformative role of clinical pharmacists as custodians of safe and rational use of medicines.
According to Prof Ayoola, “Clinical Pharmacy Day 2025 aims to celebrate growth, while also inspiring students and strengthening the bond between the classroom and industry”.
The position of the Dean was also echoed by the acting Head, Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Biopharmacy, Dr. Roseline Aderemi-Williams. Her words, “Clinical Pharmacy Day celebration is designed to showcase activities of the department as well as to engage with professionals with a view to promoting access to appropriate, safe and cost effective drug therapy”.
Dr Aderemi-Williams noted that “the clinical pharmacist in any clinical setting isn’t a competitor or threat to other healthcare professionals but an expert that adds value to patient care with regards to medication, therapy and provision of necessary interventions”.
The event also featured a keynote address by a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Benin, Professor Azuka Oparah. The address which focused on: Clinical Pharmacy in Patients Care and Research highlighted the indispensable role of clinical pharmacists in the provision of comprehensive healthcare to patients.
The Professor of Clinical Pharmacy stressed the need for clinical pharmacists to be abreast of their professional responsibilities especially among other healthcare professionals, and called for inter-professional collaboration among all healthcare professionals with a view to making clinical care accessible, affordable and quality-assured for patients.
The Chairman of the Clinical Pharmacy Day 2025 celebration, Sir Tony Akhimien pointed out that the event marked another milestone in ongoing efforts to ensure best practices in public health through promotion of safe medications.
Sir Akhimien, former President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), advocated strict compliance with specialization of practice while also fostering professional collaboration in the interest of patients.
The event featured an enlightening panel session that had:
- Professor Rebecca Soremekun (Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, UNILAG),
- Professor Janet Ajuluchukwu,
- Annesha White (Senior Associate Dean/Associate Professor of Pharmacotherapy, University of North Texas)
- Dr. Modupe Oyawole (Consultant Clinical Pharmacist, LASUTH),
- Dr. Chijioke Onyia (MD, PineCrest Healthcare Ltd), and
- Pharmacist Olusola Onanusi (Operations Manager, Victory Drugs Pharmacy).
They all shared their thoughts and experiences on various issues affecting clinical pharmacy, roles of patients, future prospects as well as recommendations on ways to elevate the practice of clinical pharmacy with a view to promoting functional healthcare.
Towards the close of the programme, the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the Maiden Clinical Pharmacy Day 2025, Dr. Ebele Onwuchuluba, delivered the vote of thanks. She acknowledged the distinguished guests who graced the occasion and the sponsors for their generous support.
The debut Clinical Pharmacy Day was not just about talks, it provided an avenue for volunteer-medical practitioners to offer free medical screenings and medication to people on ground at the event.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Michael Joshua
