Jos – The Registrar, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), Mr. Elijah Mohammed, has inducted 60 new pharmacists of University of Jos (UniJos) and urged them to adhere strictly to their code of professional ethics.
The PCN registrar, during the oath-taking and induction, advised the new pharmacists to get acquainted with the ethics which prescribed professional and moral responsibilities to patients, colleagues and employers.
He said strict compliance to the code of ethics was indispensable for the practice of pharmacy, which he described as an exciting profession.
He added that “I wish to state categorically that pharmacists today remain legally responsible for the safe and accurate dispensing of medication.
“The pharmacists also have the additional challenge as integral member of the healthcare team to educate, monitor and care for patients.’’
He, however, reminded them that their graduation from the university which qualified them for the induction was just the first phase of pharmacy training.
“The training of pharmacists statutorily requires that upon graduation, after the formal entry-point education, should undergo mandatory one calendar year internship training programme.
“The internship must be under the supervision of a recognised registered pharmacist (a preceptor) in an accredited internship training facility and that is the second phase of pharmacy training.’’
The Vice-Chancellor of UniJos, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, said the university would continue to contribute to the training of quality manpower to meet the nation’s healthcare needs as part of its strategic planning.
Prof. Jacob Kolawole, the Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UniJos, advised the graduates to know that they were going to practice the profession in a complex society where they would be dealing with complex patients and other professionals.
“Let self-confidence, integrity and the fear of God be your watchword and guide you as the expectation of society, friends and family members’ vis-à-vis standard professional practice will make you feel lost, inferior and inadequate.
“Don’t cut corners, be honest, dedicated and diligent.’’
The best graduating student, Mr. Emmanuel Nwangele, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, thanked God Almighty for the grace to successfully complete the programme and their parents for standing by them.
He also thanked the faculty, and indeed the university management for imparting the required knowledge into them and pledged they would not let the school down.