By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has marked the 2026 World Pharmacists Day with an awareness walk and free deworming exercise to highlight the role of pharmacists in medicine safety, disease prevention and community health.
The event, held on Friday, September 25, at the Lagos State Secretariat Complex, Alausa-Ikeja, brought together pharmacists, directors, heads of units and other health-sector stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Pharm. Olabisi Okewole, said the 2026 theme, “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures,” underscored the need to equip pharmacists to maximise their expertise, embrace innovation and contribute to improved health outcomes and sustainable healthcare systems.
Okewole said pharmacists’ responsibilities extend beyond dispensing medicines to include disease prevention, health promotion, patient safety, antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacovigilance and the safe and rational use of medicines.
She said the awareness walk within the Alausa Secretariat was aimed at improving public understanding of the pharmacy profession, while the free deworming exercise demonstrated pharmacists’ contribution to preventive healthcare and community wellbeing.
The director called for sustained investment in the pharmacy workforce through professional development, access to appropriate technology, supportive working environments and greater participation in health policy and decision-making.
She also urged members of the public to report suspected adverse drug reactions, saying public reporting is essential to strengthening pharmacovigilance and promoting safer medicine use.
Okewole encouraged pharmacists to remain committed to professionalism, innovation, lifelong learning and service while exploring opportunities in clinical pharmacy, digital health, public health and antimicrobial stewardship.
Also speaking, the Director of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Oladipupo Fisher, described pharmacists as an integral part of the healthcare system.
Fisher said pharmacists complement services provided in health facilities and contribute to improved health outcomes, particularly through community pharmacists who extend essential health services to communities, including hard-to-reach populations.
He congratulated pharmacists across the state and called for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals.
The Assistant Chief Pharmacist, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Pharm. Simisola Opanuga, commended directors, heads of units and pharmacists who participated in the programme despite their various official responsibilities.
Opanuga said the participation of pharmacists from different units and locations contributed to the success of the celebration, adding that the programme provided an opportunity to organise an activity that had not been held by the ministry for some time.
The celebration highlighted the expanding role of pharmacists in preventive healthcare, medicine safety, pharmacovigilance and community health, while promoting greater public awareness of their contribution to the healthcare system.
