Ibrahim Ahmed, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, has warned pioneer graduate inductees of the Pharmacy Department at Gregory University Uturu that the council frowns on professional misconduct and operates a continuing professional development programme for its members.
Ahmed issued the warning on Thursday during the maiden induction of 31 inductees from the university's College of Pharmacy, urging them to maintain high ethical standards and leadership qualities as prescribed by the PCN.
"Let me state that the council does not tolerate professional misconduct. Please avoid any such actions, as they will be addressed with the utmost seriousness. Refrain from the 'register and go syndrome,' which can damage the profession's reputation. Maintain honesty throughout your career. As pharmacists, you are frontline health workers and are expected to provide professional drug related services while collaborating with other healthcare professionals," Ahmed stated.
He highlighted the importance of ongoing training, stating that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria places strong emphasis on continuous professional development. Inductees are expected to participate in this programme regularly.
Associate Professor Sunday Okafor, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Gregory University, Uturu, described the event as a significant milestone for the institution, marking the induction of 31 PharmD scholars into the pharmacy profession after six years of study.
He revealed that Mazi De Sam Ohuabunwa College of Pharmacy, Gregory University, Uturu, which officially commenced in October 2019 as a PharmD programme, has undergone a series of positive transformations that brought it to this enviable height.
Professor Cele Njoku, Vice Chancellor, described the occasion as a historic milestone etched in gold in the annals of the institution, advising inductees that, as the first line of defence in many healthcare systems, their role is more critical now than ever before.
Dr Maureen Nwafor’s keynote address described pharmacy as a noble profession with the capacity to monitor prescription usage. She advised the inductees to remain accessible, make a meaningful impact, and embrace digital advancements rather than sticking to traditional methods.
Air Commodore Chukwuma Ohanele, chairman of the occasion and chairman of the Guardian/Parents Association of the university, urged the inductees not to limit their knowledge but to keep updating themselves.
