Pharmacists’ association asks Tinubu to end physician monopoly in health, education sectors

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to address what it describes as “physician dominance” in the country’s health and education sectors.

In a letter signed by Ambrose Ezeh, national chairman of the ACPN, the association condemned the trend, describing it as the “institutionalised marginalisation” of non-physician professionals.

The association alleged that the federal government allows physician-led groups such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to use “blackmail tactics” to make it succumb to their demands.

The ACPN cited recent events at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), where medical lecturers reportedly protested the vice-chancellor’s appointment process.

The association also said a similar case allegedly occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), with the federal ministry of education reversing a VC appointment under pressure.

According to the ACPN, such actions violate the National Universities Commission (NUC) regulations, which require vice-chancellors to hold a PhD.

“Most public sector appointments have strict conditions precedent, which make the appointment lawful. The ineptitude of the FG to succumb to this shameful blackmail leaves a sour taste in the mouth,” the statement reads.

The association also alleged systemic favouritism in hospital and university leadership, disparities in remuneration, and the denial of consultant status to non-physicians.

“In Nigeria, contrary to the dictates of common sense, only Physicians are designated as CMDs/CEOs of FHIs since 1985 (40 years ago) because they wrongly interpreted the condition precedent for such appointments, which ties eligibility to being “medically qualified” as implying that only Physicians meet the eligibility criterion,” the association said.

It also expressed disappointment in the federal ministry of health for sidelining key pharmaceutical stakeholders in the endorsement of the MEDIPOOL drug procurement initiative.

“Your Excellency, we strongly demand a Presidential intervention to make the Government stand up to its stewardship responsibilities as Government.

“The government should change tactics in the skewed appointment of physicians who dominate sectors that are alien to medical practice while resisting ‘incursions’ into healthcare by any other cadre of practitioners, including colleagues and non-physician health professionals.

“It is important to inform Mr President that the humiliation health workers in healthcare are subjected to in deference to physicians is beginning to affect the psyche of youths in a generation where nobody wants to be an underdog.”