The University of Ilorin recently graduated a total of 89 Pharmacists on Wednesday with 27 bagging distinctions.
Speaking at the 8th Induction and oath-taking ceremony of the 2021/2022 set, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Wahab Egbewole, congratulated the graduands, urging them to be good ambassadors of the institution wherever they find themselves.
The VC, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Prof Sulaiman Ambali, underscored the importance of pharmacy in the healthcare system.
He described Pharmacy as unique in the healthcare delivery system and advised the graduands to be diligent and uphold their professional ethics and values.
The VC also called on the relevant regulatory agencies to step up the fight against fake drugs.
In her keynote presentation, a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Margaret Afolabi, enjoined the graduands to inculcate professional values.
She noted that the professional guiding ethics stipulates that pharmacists must be disciplined, responsible, honest, respectable and diligent.
The don advised them against indecent dressing while emphasising the need to stand out by being modest.
She said, “Don’t take advantage of your clients who are in a vulnerable state. Integrity is a cornerstone of the profession.
“Hard work will take you far and places of high level. You must avoid error as much as possible and ask for clarification if you don’t understand handwritten prescriptions from medics.”
Afolabi, who decried the proliferation of fake drugs in the country, tasked them to be trustworthy and help the country overcome the challenge.
She also encouraged them to always consult with their senior colleagues.
The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, urged the graduands to maintain high ethical standards and discharge their duties for a sustainable healthcare system in Nigeria.
He also enjoined them to take their internship training seriously, adding that there is no limitation to their practice as they can practice anywhere.
(NAN)
