The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kano State Branch, has commemorated the 2026 World Pharmacists Day with a series of activities, including a medical outreach targeting nearly 500 members of the public in Kano metropolis.
The outreach, held at the premises of Radio Kano, provided beneficiaries with medical consultations and medicines at no cost as part of activities marking this year’s World Pharmacists Day.
The Chairman of PSN, Kano State Branch, Pharmacist Dr. Murtala Isah Umar, FPSN, said the association organised the activities to bring healthcare closer to the people while sensitising the public on the importance of safe and responsible use of medicines.
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World Pharmacists Day is observed annually on September 25. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) selected “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures” as the theme for the 2026 global observance, highlighting the contribution of pharmacists to access to healthcare, prevention, appropriate medicine use and stronger health systems.
Dr. Umar said the Kano branch had conducted a series of activities as part of the commemoration, with the medical outreach serving as one of the major interventions.
He explained that nearly 500 people were targeted to benefit from the exercise, where members of the public received medical attention and access to medicines.
One of the beneficiaries, Sahabi Abdullahi Dan-liman, commended the PSN Kano State Branch for the initiative, describing it as one of the best medical outreaches conducted in recent years.
Dan-liman said he was examined by medical doctors free of charge and also received medicines without payment to cater for his health needs.
He expressed appreciation to the pharmacists and other health professionals involved in the exercise for bringing medical services closer to members of the public.
PSN Members Take Drug Abuse Campaign To Kano Communities
As part of the activities, members of PSN Kano also embarked on a sensitization road walk from the premises of Radio Kano to the Kano Emir’s Palace.
Dr. Umar said the exercise was aimed at sensitising members of the public on the dangers associated with drug abuse, indiscriminate use of medicines and taking drugs without appropriate professional advice.
He said the association also used the road walk to encourage residents experiencing health complications to visit medical doctors or recognised health facilities instead of relying on self-medication.
The PSN chairman cautioned the public against treating medicines as ordinary food that could be consumed at will.
“Drugs are not food to be taken at will or according to one’s wishes. They are consumables that should only be taken when needed and after receiving medical clearance from medical doctors because some may cause injuries, with some injuries even becoming life-threatening,” he said.
He urged residents to seek appropriate medical advice before using medicines and to consult qualified healthcare professionals whenever they develop health complications.
PSN Support For Dangwauro Drug Market Initiative
Dr. Umar also highlighted the Kano PSN branch’s involvement in efforts to improve the regulation and distribution of pharmaceutical products in the state.
He said that since his election as chairman of the association in 2024, PSN Kano had supported the Kano State Government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders in efforts that led to the movement of pharmaceutical wholesale activities to Dangwauro.
According to him, the initiative was aimed at strengthening the pharmaceutical supply system, tackling the circulation of falsified medicines and preventing the sale of unwanted or unsafe drugs to members of the public.
The PSN’s 98th Annual National Conference communiqué, held in Kano in 2025, also discussed the Coordinated Wholesale Centre initiative and pharmaceutical regulation in the state. The society linked the initiative to efforts to address problems including falsification and counterfeiting of medicines.
Dr. Umar said the association would continue to collaborate with government agencies, regulators, security organisations and other stakeholders to promote safe medicine use and protect public health.
The activities in Kano formed part of a global observance designed to draw attention to the expanding role of pharmacists in healthcare.
FIP said the 2026 theme, “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures,” emphasises the need to equip pharmacists with the skills, recognition and supportive systems required to respond to evolving health needs. It also highlights their contribution to prevention, access to care, health-system resilience and sustainability.
The global campaign is also being observed as part of World Pharmacy Week, September 19–25, which recognises the wider pharmacy workforce and its contribution to healthcare delivery.
For PSN Kano, Dr. Umar said the combination of medical outreach, public sensitization and collaboration with government and other stakeholders reflected the association’s commitment to protecting the health of Kano residents.
He called for continued public cooperation with pharmacists, doctors and other healthcare professionals, particularly in preventing drug abuse, avoiding indiscriminate medication and ensuring that medicines are used appropriately.
The Kano branch’s 2026 activities therefore combined direct healthcare intervention with public education, reinforcing the message that pharmacists have a role not only in the supply and safe use of medicines but also in promoting healthier communities.