Despite the high ďemand for medications, access to safe and effective medicines remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, as quality healthcare is out of the reach of millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
These communities, often depend on unregulated patent medicine sellers, whose counterfeit drugs and dangerous medical advice lead to preventable deaths and worsening health outcomes. This grim reality has fueled Precious Azino Usuemerai’s unwavering commitment to reshape the healthcare delivery in Nigeria through innovative solutions.
Having worked as a clinical pharmacist in Delta, Edo, Nasarawa States, and the FCT Abuja respectively, Usuemerai said he has witnessed heartbreaking consequences of Nigeria’s healthcare systemic failures.
His words, “I have met mothers grieving the loss of children due to fake malaria medications, and elderly patients whose untreated hypertension led to debilitating complications. These stories are not abstract to me—they are personal.
“They have driven my vision for a transformative solution: a mobile clinical retail pharmacy model that delivers professional pharmaceutical care to even the most neglected corners of Nigeria, saving lives and restoring hope.”
Painting a scenario of a healthcare system that fails millions, Usuemerai adds, “Imagine a mother in a remote village whose child is stricken with a high fever. The nearest hospital is hours away, with long queues, high medical costs, and uncertain availability of medicines awaiting her arrival. Her only option is the local patent medicine store, where untrained sellers offer counterfeit or expired drugs.
“The fever worsens, complications arise, and too often, the story ends in tragedy. This is the daily reality for millions of Nigerians. Over 60 per cent of the population lacks access to quality healthcare, with urban residents also grappling with high costs and substandard medications.”
According to the clinical pharmacist, addressing this crisis demands a bold, innovative approach. Hence, the mobile pharmacy retail model, an innovative approach that offers a practical, scalable solution to the crisis.He noted that to correct the anomaly, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) can issue periodic licenses to mobile pharmacist, which would enable them operate in non-permanent structures such as caravans or prefabricated units. “This regulatory oversight ensures accessibility without compromising professional standards,” he said.
Speaking further, he suggested that mobile pharmacies can lease lease unused plots of land in rural and peri-urban areas for their operations. “This arrangement empowers landowners economically while bringing essential healthcare services to underserved regions.
“Professional standards should and must be ensured. Mobile pharmacies should adhere to the same rigorous standards as traditional pharmacies, including proper storage of medicines, recruiting of licensed staff, and compliance with PCN regulations. The PCN could implement regular inspections and require detailed operational reports to maintain high standards,” he added.
Usuemerai explained that during his time in Nasarawa State, he encountered Ibrahim, an elderly farmer suffering from chronic cough and severe breathlessness. His only healthcare option was an unregulated patent medicine store.
“After reviewing his symptoms, I referred him to a nearby clinic, where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and began treatment. Now, imagine if a mobile pharmacy had been available in his village, he could have received an assessment and referral months earlier, preventing the progression of his illness. This underscores the transformative potential of mobile pharmacies: they bring life-saving care directly to the people who need it most.”
On the benefits of innovation for patients, Usuemerai said it will ensure prescription and administration of high-quality drugs and professional advice, eliminating the dangers posed by counterfeit medicine sellers. He added that with its convenience and proximity, patients can access healthcare services within their communities, thus ensuring preventive care, as basic screenings for conditions like hypertension and diabetes can be detected early and complications reduced.
For pharmacists, he noted that the innovation, will provide new business opportunities “Mobile pharmacies lower the barriers to entry for young pharmacists, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional setups. Pharmacists can serve communities beyond the scope of permanent facilities with the expansion strategy.”
Usuemerai called on government, financial institutions, and other private sectors to set up grants that can help pharmacists secure the necessary capital for mobile pharmacies. He stated the mobile pharmacy initiative has the potential to empower pharmacists, support landowners, and strengthen the PCN while delivering safe and effective medicines to underserved communities.
