Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has lamented the rising number of members leaving the nation’s borders, noting that more than 5,000 people have done so in the last five years.

The society’s President, Cyril Usifoh, disclosed this at its 95th Annual National Conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said, “There is an unprecedented movement of pharmacists away from Nigeria. At the last count, about 5,208 pharmacists have left the country in the last five years in search of the proverbial green pastures, especially in Canada, the UK, and the United States, just like their counterparts in other health fields and indeed many young Nigerians. PCN has also confirmed that 803 pharmacists collected letters of good standing from the Council in 2021.

“WHO recommended ratio of healthcare workers to the population is 23 to 1,000, while in Nigeria, it is an abysmal 1.95 to 1,000. This is for the entire health workforce. When expressed in terms of the pharmacists’ component, there are 0.07 pharmacists to 1,000 or one pharmacist to over 14,000 Nigerians. According to the World Health Organisation, the acceptable and recommended ratio of pharmacists to the population is one pharmacist to every 2,000 people.”

Usifoh urged the government to reconfigure the health architecture in the country in a bid to keep hold of the manpower being lost in droves.

He, however, requested the replacement of the pharmacists who have either left the shores of the country for greener pastures or retired from service without delay.

 Usifoh said the conference also seeks to host and appraise the presidential candidates for the 2023 general elections.

 He said, “A key feature of this conference will be the interaction with presidential candidates. Over 4,000 pharmacists from around Nigeria will appraise the candidates jostling for the nation’s number one job.

“As a professional body, we are aware that the leadership of the country would go a long way towards the achievement of our collective aspirations, so due attention will be accorded to this programme. We call on the candidates to take advantage of this gathering of professionals to enlighten Nigerians on what they have to offer.”

Punch