The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) on Thursday inducted 31 pioneer graduates of the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programme at Gregory University Uturu (GUU), Abia State, during a ceremony at the Mazi Dr. Sam Ohuabunwa College of Pharmacy.

The induction, administered by PCN Registrar, Pharmacist Ibrahim Ahmed, involved the swearing-in of the new members and marks a critical requirement under the PCN Establishment Act, 2022, necessary for registration as professional pharmacists.

Ahmed highlighted that the next phase of their training involves a one-year statutory compulsory internship, to be undertaken at PCN-accredited institutions. He urged the inductees to uphold high ethical standards and leadership qualities, strictly adhering to the Code of Ethics for professional pharmacy practice.

Describing pharmacy as a noble profession, Ahmed emphasized its broad career prospects, including roles in industry, community and hospital practice, administration, research, academia, and emerging fields such as information technology, journalism, publishing, and governance.

In a keynote address titled “The Role of Clinical Pharmacist in an Emerging World: Filling an Indispensable Gap”, Pharmacist Dr. Maureen Nwafor described pharmacists as drug experts essential to healthcare delivery. She stressed that as healthcare evolves, pharmacists must adapt to fill professional gaps effectively.

GUU Vice Chancellor, Professor Cele Njoku, urged the inductees to be worthy ambassadors of the university, emphasizing that pharmacists are not merely dispensers of medicine but custodians of trust, public health guardians, and critical players in patient care outcomes.

Dean of GUU College of Pharmacy, Associate Professor Sunday Okafor, noted that since its inception in October 2019, the six-year programme has undergone significant transformations, making the college a top choice for prospective pharmacy students. He encouraged graduates to maintain professionalism and ethics in all responsibilities.

Celebrating academic excellence, GUU Chancellor, Mr. Gregory Okechukwu Ibe, awarded Dr. Ikanke Abasi Akpaso, the overall best graduate, ₦1 million, while each department’s best graduate received ₦100,000