Pharmacy practice in Nigeria

Abstract

Pharmacy practice in Nigeria has evolved from a drug-focused approach to patient-centered care, with pharmacists now playing a broader role in health promotion, medication management, and disease prevention, driven by changes in education, training, and regulatory structures. This research explores the evolution of pharmacy practice, education and training, regulatory framework and practice-based research; challenges and future expectations. To understand the current state of pharmacy practice in Nigeria, including its challenges and improvements, a review of existing literature was done, guided by the PRISMA 2020 guidelines (Page et al., 2021). This helps to identify, screen, and select relevant studies. The review highlights the evolution of pharmacy practice and examined the frameworks and standards currently in place. Also, it highlighted the crucial role played by regulatory bodies such as the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), which is responsible for setting professional guidelines, maintaining ethical standards, and ensuring compliance across the sector. To carry out this review, reputable academic databases and platforms were used, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest, and ResearchGate. Out of a total of 580 studies initially identified, 57 were analyzed to inform this study’s findings. These selected studies offered insights into the current practices and future prospects for pharmacy in Nigeria. The findings highlight how pharmacy practice in Nigeria has grown and transformed over time, reflecting both progress and persistent challenges. They reveal a profession that is steadily evolving from a primarily drug-dispensing role to one that is more deeply integrated into patient care and public health. However, this progress has not come without obstacles. Regulatory insufficiency, weak enforcement and uneven workforce distribution, outdated curricula and limited clinical exposure, slow technology adoption and inadequate practice-based research continue to hinder the full potential of the pharmacy sector. Despite these challenges, there is a strong sense of optimism about the future. There are increasing opportunities for pharmacists to play a more active role in public health initiatives, such as disease prevention and health education. Additionally, advances in technology; including digital health tools and telepharmacy, present exciting prospects for improving pharmacy services and expanding access to care across Nigeria.