The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, on Thursday , inducted 63 Graduands of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, into the pharmacy profession.
While inducting the graduands at the ESUT permanent site Agbani, Enugu State, the Registrar of PCN, Ibrahim B. Ahmed, urged the graduands to always support the ideals and commitment of the Pharmacy profession.
He equally urged the graduands to perform their duties as pharmacists with devotion, dignity, discretion and honour.
The Registrar, PCN, who was represented by the South East Zonal Director, Ifeyinwa Ohiaeri, said Pharmacists competency was not only about knowledge and skills but should include critical thinking, innovation, social interaction, leadership development and inter professional relationships.
He stressed the need for graduands to scale through their Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacists, PEP, after their internship to qualify for professional practice and warned
against ethical misconducts, noting that defaulters would face severe sanctions.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, disclosed that plans were on, for the production of ESUT branded drugs by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the institution.
He stressed that the initiative was in line with the experiencial learning model of the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, adding that the University would collaborate with private sectors to realize the dream of drug production in the University.
While congratulating the inductees, he enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the University by adhering strictly to the codes of pharmacy profession in their places of practice.
He further announced automatic employment for the overall, and second-best-graduating students, Nnamani Ebube, and Ezeajuchi Loveth, respectively on completion of their NYSC programmes.
In his keynote address, the General Manager, Taylek Pharm Limited, High Chief Chika Agwu, harped on curriculum reforms and urged governments and relevant agencies to invest more in pharmaceutical researches and infrastructure.
While congratulating the young graduands, he urged them to be self-motivated by following their natural desires and appetite in order to attain success, encouraging them to do the best they could with what they have.
While discussing the theme “The Future of Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria: The Role of the Young Pharmacist,” he stated that there were challenges in regulation, funding and integration of pharmacists into the national healthcare system, urging federal government to develop a clear national framework for pharmacy practice which supports the expansion of services of pharmacists.
In his remarks, the chairman of Induction Planning Committee, Dr. Cyril Aninwike, urged the inductees to practice the profession with contentment and add value to the profession.
It was the 5th induction and oath-taking ceremony for the 2023/2024 graduands of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ESUT.
