By Endurance Enemona Samuel
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has directed pharmacists and community pharmacies across the country to activate emergency surveillance measures following fresh Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of Central and East Africa, The Bureau Journal reports.
In an emergency advisory issued nationwide, the PSN instructed pharmacists in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to strengthen infection prevention systems and emergency response procedures to prevent any possible outbreak in Nigeria.
PSN Raises Nationwide Alert
The advisory was signed by the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, who warned that pharmacies often serve as the first point of contact for sick individuals before hospital visits.
Although the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed that no Ebola case has been recorded in Nigeria, the PSN stressed that vigilance remains critical.
“Pharmacists remain frontline defenders because many sick individuals first visit pharmacies before seeking hospital care,” the advisory noted.
Pharmacies Ordered to Monitor Symptoms
Under the new emergency protocol, pharmacists have been instructed to closely observe patients showing symptoms commonly associated with Ebola.
The symptoms listed include:
- Sudden high fever
- Severe weakness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rashes
- Unexplained bleeding
Pharmacists were also directed to ask patients about recent travel history to affected African countries or possible contact with travellers within the last 21 days.
Strict Infection Prevention Measures Introduced
To strengthen public safety, the PSN ordered pharmacies nationwide to immediately restore strict infection prevention measures.
The measures include:
- Installation of hand washing stations and alcohol-based sanitizers
- Mandatory use of gloves and face masks by frontline workers
- Regular disinfection of counters, door handles and payment terminals
- Suspension of non-essential blood prick tests for patients with unexplained fever
Warning Against Self Medication
The society cautioned pharmacists against indiscriminate dispensing of malaria drugs and antibiotics for patients with persistent fever symptoms.
PSN also warned Nigerians against fake Ebola remedies, unverified herbal mixtures and misleading medical claims circulating on social media platforms.
According to the association, suspected Ebola cases should be referred immediately to approved health facilities for proper medical attention.
Suspected Cases Must Be Isolated Immediately
The emergency directive further instructed pharmacies to isolate any suspected Ebola patient immediately and promptly notify health authorities and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“Do not advise suspected patients to use public transport,” the PSN warned.
Memories of Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola Crisis
Nigeria successfully contained a deadly Ebola outbreak in 2014 after swift intervention by health officials and emergency response teams prevented a wider national health disaster.
Public health experts say early surveillance, rapid response and public awareness remain the country’s strongest protection against another possible outbreak.
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