Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has declared open the 99th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), calling for stronger collaboration between the state government and the pharmaceutical profession to improve healthcare delivery.
The conference, tagged Ijele 2026, is holding in Awka, Anambra State, under the theme, “One Health, One Pharmacy: Bridging Knowledge, Practice and Policy for National Impact.”
Speaking at the event, Governor Soludo described pharmacists as essential partners in building an effective healthcare system and urged the professional body to work closely with his administration in advancing pharmaceutical development and healthcare regulation.
The governor highlighted his administration’s investments in education and healthcare, including free education from kindergarten to secondary school, improved primary healthcare services and support for maternal healthcare.
According to him, more than 250,000 women have benefited from free antenatal care, while over 950 free caesarean operations have been carried out under the state’s healthcare interventions.
Soludo also disclosed that the state is developing a pharmaceutical hub in Oba, alongside plans for a Coordinated Wholesale Centre expected to be delivered early next year.
He called on the PSN leadership to strengthen its partnership with the government, particularly in tackling the circulation of counterfeit medicines and addressing illegal pharmaceutical outlets operating without the required licences.
Earlier, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo for his support for the pharmaceutical profession.
Ibrahim said the decision to host the national conference in Anambra fulfilled his personal commitment to bringing the professional gathering to the state. He also commended the governor’s support and leadership in the healthcare sector.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for pharmacists and other healthcare stakeholders to discuss issues affecting pharmaceutical practice, policy development and the delivery of healthcare services in Nigeria.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
