The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has inducted 175 foreign-trained pharmacists into the Nigerian pharmacy profession, urging them to uphold high ethical standards and contribute to quality healthcare delivery.
The induction and oath-taking ceremony, marking the completion of the second cycle of the 2025 Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Orientation Programme (FPGOP), was held on Friday at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja.
Addressing the inductees, PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the orientation programme was designed to familiarise foreign-trained graduates with pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria, in line with the PCN (Establishment) Act, 2022. He noted that all candidates successfully completed the programme and passed the required examinations.
Ahmed described pharmacy as a dynamic and collaborative profession with opportunities in community and hospital practice, industry, research, academia and administration. He advised the inductees to work harmoniously with colleagues and take advantage of the diverse career paths available.
He also reminded them of the mandatory 12-month internship under a registered pharmacist at a PCN-accredited centre, describing it as a critical period for professional development. The registrar further emphasised the importance of Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD), noting that it is a key requirement for licence renewal and aligns with global best practices.
Ahmed warned that the council would not tolerate professional misconduct, stressing that proven violations could attract sanctions, including suspension or removal from the professional register.
In her remarks, PCN Chairman, Pharm. Hajia Wosilat Giwa, charged the pharmacists to uphold ethical conduct, embrace lifelong learning and apply their international exposure to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system. She described the FPGOP as a vital quality assurance initiative that ensures competence and patient safety.
Giwa urged the inductees to justify the trust placed in them and remain committed to advancing pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.
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