As Nigeria’s healthcare system contends with drug-related errors, counterfeit medications, and under-resourced pharmacy practices, experts are calling for urgent reforms. Among them is Pharmacist Genesis Inarumen, a healthcare economist and pharmacy systems specialist, who says the time has come for Nigeria to adopt smarter, safer drug practices—driven by digital solutions and policy action.

“Drug safety isn’t just a clinical issue—it’s a national health emergency,” Inarumen said in an exclusive interview. “When patients receive the wrong drug or incorrect dosage, it’s not a minor error. It can mean the difference between life and death.”

The pharmacist, who has worked across both hospital and industrial settings—including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Biofem Pharmaceuticals—warned that medication errors remain one of the most preventable yet under-addressed issues in Nigerian hospitals.

Inarumen noted that medication errors in Nigeria stem from a mix of factors: illegible handwritten prescriptions, poor inventory control, inadequate pharmacist staffing, and limited access to patient histories.

“We still rely heavily on paper-based systems that are prone to human error,” he said. “You see prescriptions written in a rush, drugs dispensed without proper checks, and no reliable tracking of patient allergies or previous medications.”

According to him, most errors occur at four critical stages—prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administration.

“The tragedy is that we have the tools to fix this,” he added. “Digital pharmacy platforms can reduce these errors by over 50% if properly implemented.”

Drawing from his research in pharmacy management and health economics, Inarumen advocates for the adoption of digital solutions like electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), automated dispensing machines, and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS).

“These are not luxuries. They are lifesaving tools,” he stated. “E-prescribing alone eliminates the issue of illegible handwriting, while CDSS helps flag potential drug interactions or allergies in real-time.”

He cited successful case studies from both local and international hospitals where medication errors were significantly reduced through barcode medication administration and electronic health records.

“Imagine a nurse scanning a barcode and instantly confirming the right drug, right dose, right time, and right patient—that’s the future Nigeria must work towards,” he said.

Despite the promise of technology, Inarumen noted that regulatory frameworks and government support remain lacking.

“We need the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), NAFDAC, and the Federal Ministry of Health to take the lead in setting digital health standards and encouraging investment,” he said. “Hospitals and private facilities won’t move unless there’s a clear policy direction and financial incentive.”

He also called for inclusion of drug safety training in the pharmacy curriculum and continuing professional development.

“It’s not enough to know drugs—we must know how to prevent harm. That knowledge must start in the classroom and be reinforced on the job.”

Looking ahead, Inarumen believes Nigeria can leapfrog many of its systemic issues through strategic investments in digital health, artificial intelligence, and drug traceability.

“We have the talent, we have the tech—what we need is political will and stakeholder collaboration,” he said.

His vision is clear: “A Nigeria where no patient dies from the wrong drug. Where pharmacists have tools that empower them, not systems that hold them back. That’s the Nigeria I’m working for.”