The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, has revealed that over 7,000 pharmacists have emigrated from Nigeria in the past two years. He disclosed this concerning the brain drain issue during an interview in Gombe.
According to Prof. Usifoh, the pharmacists have sought better practice environments abroad, resulting in a significant challenge in the health sector. This brain drain is a matter of great concern for the well-being of Nigerians.
He emphasized the importance of addressing this issue by creating a conducive environment in which pharmacists can work, thereby encouraging them to stay and contribute to the development of the country.
Prof. Usifoh stated, “If you want to stop brain drain, you will create conditions to enable people not to go. Government should create the enabling environment that will prevent people from leaving but to come here. I am confident that when the opportunities are there, you will have what we call brain gain; they will come back: we are here, we are not leaving.”
The President of the PSN highlighted that the society’s mission is to make Nigeria more self-sufficient and improve the health sector. He also noted that the PSN’s 96th annual conference, with the theme “Pharmaceutical Practice: A Pivot to Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” was held in Gombe State to evaluate their achievements over the past year and strategize on ways to enhance the health sector.
Additionally, Prof. Usifoh mentioned that the PSN members and industrialists attending the conference are exploring potential partnerships with the Gombe State government to tap into opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry within the state. This collaboration may involve pharmaceutical companies setting up outlets in the state to advance the sector further.
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