The Director-General of the food and drug regulator, NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye

Adeyeye calls for innovation and systemic reforms at ABUAD pharmacy induction

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has highlighted key factors threatening Nigeria’s path to a sustainable healthcare system. She pointed to technological disruption, evolving patient needs, and regulatory changes as major challenges.

Prof. Adeyeye spoke on Sunday in Ado Ekiti at the maiden induction of 95 Doctor of Pharmacy graduates of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD). Delivering a lecture themed “Navigating Tides of Change in a Strained Healthcare System – Pharmacists as Compass to Quality Care,” she urged stakeholders to adopt effective strategies to ease the strain on Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

Demographic shifts and disease burden driving system stress

According to the NAFDAC boss, healthcare sustainability requires a holistic approach that addresses demographic shifts, rising disease burden, operational inefficiencies, and potential external shocks. She noted that pharmacists and other frontline workers can act as “the compass” guiding reforms in patient care.

Embracing digital health and innovation

Prof. Adeyeye emphasised that technology can help extend care beyond hospital walls. She recommended digital health tools, telemedicine, and remote monitoring for managing chronic conditions. By leveraging data, she said, hospitals can identify bottlenecks, predict demand, and allocate resources more efficiently.

Other strategies she listed include:

• Reducing wait times and improving patient flow through triage systems and digital appointment booking.
• Investing in preventive measures and public health campaigns to reduce the disease burden.
• Allocating limited resources to the most critical areas.
• Advocating for policy reforms to address funding shortfalls, workforce shortages, and long-term sustainability.

Stakeholders urge professionalism among new pharmacists

ABUAD founder Afe Babalola (SAN) congratulated the graduating pharmacists for their discipline and hard work, urging them to uphold the ethics of their profession and be good ambassadors of the university.

The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ibrahim Ahmed, who administered the oath, also reminded the inductees to make ethical standards their watchword.