Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis
Oncology pharmacists and other healthcare professionals on Tuesday called for stronger collaboration, improved standards and expanded pharmacovigilance systems to tackle the growing burden of cancer in Nigeria.
The experts spoke at the maiden edition of the 2026 Biennial Scientific Conference of the Oncology Practitioners Association of Nigeria held in Abuja, where stakeholders highlighted gaps in cancer treatment infrastructure, medication safety and specialised oncology pharmacy practice.
Speaking at the conference, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Tanko Ayuba, stressed the increasing importance of oncology pharmacists in delivering safe and effective care to cancer patients.
Ayuba, who was represented by the Abuja Chairman of the PSN, Salamatu Orakwelu, said, “Cancer remains a major public health challenge, and the role of oncology pharmacists and other healthcare professionals is becoming increasingly important in ensuring safe, effective, and patient-centred care.
“Through improved standards, continuous education, research, and multidisciplinary collaboration, we can enhance oncology practice and improve outcomes for patients across Nigeria.
“This conference provides an excellent platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking, and developing practical strategies to improve access to quality cancer care for all Nigerians.”
Former PSN President, Ahmed Yakasai, described the establishment of a dedicated oncology pharmacy body as a major step in addressing the country’s cancer burden.
“The establishment of a dedicated body focused on oncology pharmacy practice reflects our shared commitment to addressing one of the most pressing health challenges of our time – cancer,” he said.
Yakasai lamented the state of cancer care support in Nigeria, comparing it with what he observed in India.
“We need to see how other clients are helping cancer patients, and we can do better in Nigeria. It’s so pathetic. When we visited India, I couldn’t believe the way philanthropists are donating millions of dollars. I hope Nigeria will be like that,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of pharmacovigilance and the role of oncology pharmacists in ensuring patient safety.
“Cancer care is complex. It requires precision, collaboration, and an unwavering focus on patient safety and outcomes. Oncology pharmacists are central to this process, ensuring safe medication use, supporting patients, contributing to research, and strengthening the pharmacovigilance system.
“That is why I decided to establish a company on pharmacovigilance, IntraHop Technologies. We are doing a lot as far as pharmacovigilance is concerned. So far, we have built systems for so many companies in Nigeria.
“We are the pioneer company of pharmacovigilance in Nigeria. And we are interrogating all the adverse drug reactions, as you mentioned, as far as pharmacovigilance is concerned, to make sure oncology is not left out,” he stated.
In her remarks, the National Chairman of the Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Ijeoma Okwesileze, said the conference marked a turning point in the institutionalisation of oncology pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
“We are witnessing the formal institutionalisation of a speciality that is vital to the survival and quality of life of thousands of Nigerians battling cancer. Our journey has been long and fraught with challenges,” she said.
Okwesileze noted that despite progress in oncology education, many pharmacists still struggle to apply their knowledge due to infrastructural limitations.
“However, we must be honest about our history. Despite the academic milestones, many oncology pharmacists have struggled to translate classroom knowledge into functional, facility-level practice.
“The technical complexities of chemotherapy reconstitution and the lack of standardised infrastructure, with only 40 per cent of oncology centres possessing biological safety cabinets, have historically hindered our progress,” she added.
The oncology pharmacist announced the launch of a harmonised oncology pharmacy practice manual aimed at standardising procedures and improving safety across oncology centres nationwide.
“To bridge this gap, OPPAN is proud to officially launch the Harmonised Oncology Pharmacy Practice Manual and Standard Operating Procedures during this conference. This manual is designed to be the ‘gold standard’ reference in every reconstitution room across Nigeria, providing the clarity and confidence necessary to ensure that our practitioners are as safe as the patients they serve.
“Our goal was ambitious: to take pharmacists from the basics of cancer cell biology and genetics to the point of establishing a thriving, specialised practice.
“The oncology pharmacist is the guardian of the medication use system in cancer care. We are the experts in dose optimisation, the masters of sterile compounding, and the counsellors for patients in their most vulnerable moments,” she added.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
