Lagos State Ministry of Health has commemorated the 2026 World Pharmacists Day with an awareness walk and free deworming exercise, highlighting the critical role of pharmacists in medicine safety, disease prevention and community health.

The event, held on Friday, September 25, 2026, 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, 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 noted that pharmacists contribute beyond dispensing medicines, with responsibilities spanning 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 increasing public understanding of the profession, while the free deworming exercise demonstrated pharmacists’ contribution to preventive healthcare and community wellbeing.

She 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, noting that public reporting is vital to pharmacovigilance and safer medicine use.

The Director further encouraged pharmacists to remain committed to professionalism, innovation, lifelong learning and service, while exploring emerging opportunities in clinical pharmacy, digital health, public health and antimicrobial stewardship.

Also speaking, the Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Oladipupo Fisher, described pharmacists as an integral part of the healthcare system, stressing that the health workforce would not be complete without them.

Fisher said pharmacists complement services provided in health facilities and contribute to improved health outcomes, particularly through the role of community pharmacists in extending essential health services to communities, including hard-to-reach populations. He congratulated pharmacists across the State and called for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Assistant Chief Pharmacist, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Pharm. Simisola Opanuga, appreciated the Directors, Heads of Units and pharmacists who participated in the programme despite their various official responsibilities.

She said the participation of pharmacists from different units and locations contributed to the success of the celebration, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to organise an activity that had not been held by the Ministry for some time.

The celebration reinforced the contribution of pharmacists to preventive healthcare, medicine safety, pharmacovigilance and community health, while providing an avenue to strengthen public awareness of theiry expanding role within the healthcare system.

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