The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has raised concerns over the mass exodus of pharmacists from the country, warning that Nigeria’s healthcare system risks a talent crisis if urgent action is not taken.

According to the PSN, more than 8,200 pharmacists have failed to renew their licenses in the past five years, many of whom have migrated abroad in search of better working conditions.

PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, disclosed this ahead of the Society’s 98th Annual National Conference (DABO 2025), scheduled to hold from November 3 to 8, 2025, at Bayero University, Kano.

Pharm. Ibrahim lamented what he described as institutional apathy and policy bias against pharmacists and other health professionals, particularly in the areas of remuneration and recognition.

He condemned the proposed salary relativity between the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), describing it as unjust and likely to deepen divisions within the health sector.

“This proposal, if allowed, will further widen the inequality that already exists in our system. The PSN will resist any attempt to trample on the rights of pharmacists and other health workers who play vital roles in sustaining patient care and national health outcomes,” he warned.

He emphasised that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Federal Government stipulates parity-based wages, not relativity-based structures, adding that both PSN and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) will oppose any policy that undermines this principle.

Ibrahim also faulted what he described as the government’s selective approach to healthcare development, urging policymakers to involve pharmacists in national planning and implementation processes.

“Pharmacy is a critical pillar of healthcare delivery. Any government that marginalises pharmacists or treats them as an afterthought is only weakening the foundation of the health sector,” he stressed.

The PSN president further criticised the establishment of Universities of Medicine or Medical Sciences, describing the concept as discriminatory and unconstitutional.

“Naming new institutions as Universities of Medicine sends a wrong and divisive message that medicine is superior to other health professions. Every discipline in the health sector is essential to quality healthcare delivery,” he said.

On the Society’s forthcoming programs, Pharm. Ibrahim announced plans for the PSN Centenary Celebration (1927–2027), commemorating 100 years of pharmaceutical contributions to national development.

He added that the upcoming DABO 2025 Conference, themed “Pharmacy Forward: Building a Future-Ready Workforce for Performance, Collaboration and Transformation,” will gather policymakers, industry leaders, and international partners to chart a new path for the future of pharmacy in Nigeria.

Ibrahim further called on the Federal Government to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and equity across all health professions, warning that favouritism and selective policies continue to undermine harmony and efficiency in healthcare delivery.

“The time has come to eliminate favouritism and bias in the health sector. We need a health system that rewards competence, not connections. Pharmacists play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, and their welfare must reflect that reality,” he said.