Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to appraise the distribution of pharmacists in the six (6) zones of Nigeria; determine the number of community pharmacies per population in each zone and in selected States; and assess the implication of pharmacists’ distribution in the provision of safe medicines and pharmaceutical care.Methods: Data analysis of pharmacists and community pharmacies in 6 zones of Nigeria was done using 2013 register and interviews conducted for pharmacists on the issue were analysed.Results: About fifty six percent (56.2%) of all registered pharmacists works in the community pharmacies. Distribution of community pharmacists shows Southwest (SW) 41.7%, Northcentral (NC) 20.6%, Southsouth (SS) 15.5%, Southeast (SE) 12.9%, Northwest (NW) 6.7% and Northeast (NE) 2.5%. In SW zone where pharmacists are highly concentrated, rural / urban distribution of community pharmacies revealed urban 89.9% and rural 10.1%, and a community pharmacy serviced 36,836 of the population. Inequitable distribution is due to low turn-out of graduate pharmacists, dearth of pharmacists abroad, poor remuneration, poor political will to employ pharmacists at the PHC level and poor amenities in the rural areas. This has led to irrational use of medicines, non-professionals in practice, chaotic drug distribution system, poor access to safe medicines and negative effects on health indicators.Conclusion: Improvement in country economy, increase number of faculties of pharmacy and improved facilities in the existing ones to increase turn-out of graduate pharmacists coupled with incentives for establishment of rural community pharmacy will increase access to safe medicines and care in Nigeria.
Highlights
The goals of the National Drug Policy (NDP) is to make available at all times to the Nigerian populace adequate supplies of drugs that are effective, affordable, safe and of good quality; to ensure the rational use of such drugs, and to stimulate the increased local production of essential drugs [1].Proximity is an important component of access to healthcare services [2] and prompt access to essential medicines can improve health outcomes [3]
The distribution of community pharmacists in the 6 zones shows that 41.7% of them were located in SW zone of Nigeria
Urban/rural distribution of community pharmacies in SW zone of Nigeria as at 2013 as shown in table 6 shows that 89.9% were located in urban centres while 10.1% were in rural areas
Summary
The goals of the National Drug Policy (NDP) is to make available at all times to the Nigerian populace adequate supplies of drugs that are effective, affordable, safe and of good quality; to ensure the rational use of such drugs, and to stimulate the increased local production of essential drugs [1].Proximity is an important component of access to healthcare services [2] and prompt access to essential medicines can improve health outcomes [3]. The objective of the NDP which is to ensure access to safe, efficacious, affordable and good quality medicines to every Nigerian and to promote rational use of such medicines is linked to the equitable distribution of health care facilities and professionals [1]. Pharmacists are situated in the community to provide pharmaceutical services and pharmaceutical care which is the responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient's quality of life [4]. Pharmaceutical care focuses the attitudes, behaviours, commitments, concerns, ethics, functions, knowledge, responsibilities and skills of the pharmacist on the provision of drug therapy with the goal of achieving definite therapeutic outcomes toward patient health and quality of life [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
