The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, has rejected the implementation of the consultant pharmacy cadre at two federal health institutions in the state and issued a seven-day ultimatum to both medical directors to reverse their decisions.

In a communiqué signed by NMA Lagos State Chairman, Dr Babajide Saheed and Secretary, Dr Jimoh Hassan, the association outlined its position following an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held recently at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, said it’s a dangerous move with no clinical value, which could destabilise patient care and professional harmony.

The meeting was convened in response to the actions of the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta, Dr Adedamola Dada and Dr Olugbenga Owoeye at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, who reportedly introduced the consultant pharmacist cadre in their respective institutions.

The council expressed deep disappointment over what it described as a unilateral and ill-advised decision that contravened the NMA’s earlier warnings. According to the communiqué, the cadre was deemed to offer no contribution to direct patient care, violate established medical protocols, and potentially threaten the stability of health service delivery by creating room for industrial disharmony.

The association warned that failure to comply would result in a warning strike by physicians in the affected institutions.

Furthermore, the SEC directed the State Officers Committee (SOC) to hold a press conference to sensitise the public about the implications of introducing the consultant pharmacist role in clinical settings.

The SOC was also tasked with formally notifying the National NMA of the development, advising that any consideration for awards or recognitions involving the two medical directors be suspended pending the resolution of the matter.

In addition, the SEC instructed the SOC to write to the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders, outlining the potential dangers the new cadre poses to patient care. It also called on the NMA to initiate a national-level discussion and take decisive steps to prevent what it described as a “dangerous precedence” from taking root.

NMA warned other medical directors and chief medical directors across Lagos State and beyond who may be considering a similar implementation. The NMA Lagos State vowed to resist any such move by all legitimate means necessary.

Members were urged to stay vigilant and united in defending the integrity of the medical profession and the sanctity of patient-centred care in the state.