The Pharmacy Department of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, on Thursday 24th September 2026 joined pharmacists across the world to celebrate World Pharmacy Day 2026 with the theme: “Empowering Pharmacists for a Healthier Future.”
The celebration, held at the hospital premises,brought together pharmacists, heads of departments, management representatives, and partners from the pharmaceutical industry.
In her welcome address, the Head of Pharmacy Department, LASUTH,Dr. Mrs. Patricia Odunuga, said World Pharmacy Day is a day to recognize the vital contributions of pharmacists and renew commitment to patient-centred care.
She noted that pharmacy practice has evolved beyond dispensing.
“Gone are the days when we were confined to dispensaries and stores. We are now integral to clinical teams, emergency response, supply chain, antimicrobial stewardship, and patient education,” she said.
She listed drug therapy monitoring, medication reconciliation, multi-disciplinary ward rounds and research as areas where pharmacists are transforming care daily.
Dr. Odunuga identified three priorities for the future: Expanding Practice, Continuous Professional Development and Mentorship, and System Strengthening and Innovation.
“Empowerment is not a slogan. It is a culture we build together. Pharmacists must be trusted, resourced and prepared to advance,” she said, pledging three commitments: Competence through continuous learning, Collaboration with other healthcare professionals, and Courage to advocate for policies and resources the profession needs.
In a goodwill message, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, represented by the Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Research and Training I,Dr. Lilian Enone, congratulated pharmacists and described them as dear to hospital management.
She noted that collaboration and synergy among healthcare professionals remain a key feature of LASUTH, and praised the department for its colourful and culturally rich celebration.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Sunday Adesegun of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, said empowering pharmacists means giving them tools, knowledge and opportunity to play their leading role in medication safety.
“Of all members of the health team, pharmacists are the only professionals knowledgeable about drugs from discovery to patient use. Anything that has to do with medicine in the hospital, pharmacists must be involved,” he said.
He urged LASUTH pharmacists to create specialized units for patient care, drug therapy monitoring, correction of wrong prescriptions and adjustment of dosages.
He also charged them to embrace lifelong learning, Artificial Intelligence, telepharmacy and digital health solutions, noting that pharmacy is dynamic and what was useful yesterday may not be useful tomorrow.
Commissioner 3 Health Service Commission, who did her National Youth Service and started her public service career at LASUTH in 1980 as General Hospital Ikeja, shared a nostalgic reflection.
She said during her time, doctors would not commence ward rounds until pharmacists were ready, and questioned the growing rivalry among healthcare professionals.
“What happened to us as a healthcare team? We are integral members of one healthcare team. It is about the patient, not about us,” she said.
She charged senior pharmacists to mentor interns and Youth Corps members, stressing that the attitude and knowledge imparted will determine whether young professionals stay in public service.
“The best form of empowerment is self-empowerment and empowering others by your actions, knowledge and skills. The next generation is watching,” she said.
She appreciated the hospital management for supporting the celebration.
Other speakers, including representatives of Fidson Healthcare Ltd, Dr. Ola Ijimakin commended the pharmacy department for its continuous partnership.
The event featured cultural displays, goodwill messages and a call for Nigerians to desist from self-medication and always source drugs from registered pharmacies.