JAPA syndrome: Pharmacists association cries out to govt

The Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) has raised an alarm over high rate of emigration of pharmacists in the country.

The group called on the Federal Government to urgently address the growing shortage of academic pharmacists in the country.

Prof. Catherine Stanley, National Chairperson of NAPA, made the appeal on Wednesday during the opening of the 23rd Annual National Scientific Conference of NAPA, held at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

The event had the theme as: “Pharmacy Practice in the New Global Economy: Education, Technology and Collaborations”.

Stanley attributed the shortage of pharmacists to increasing migration of young professionals to Europe and North America in search of better opportunities.

She described pharmacists in academia as ‘an endangered species,’ citing their migration to foreign countries and the lack of replacements for retirees and deceased colleagues.

“There is an acute shortage of needed manpower in critical sectors of pharmacy education.

“This trend should not be allowed to continue,” she pleaded.

Stanley urged the government to prioritise the welfare of academic pharmacists to ensure sustainability in pharmaceutical education and research.