Navigating the limitless potentials of social media as a communication tool vis-à-vis the confidentiality of the pharmaceutical profession, formed the core of the 6th Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun-Afodu Annual Lecture in Pharmacy.
The lecture titled Impact of Social Media on Professionalism in Pharmacy Education and Practice was delivered by the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Professor (Pharmacist) Cyril Usifoh on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at the Old Great Hall of the College of Medicine University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos.
Professor Usifoh identified social media as a dynamic force shaping various professions through its ability to connect, inform and engender collaboration irrespective of time or distance.
The PSN President highlighted how social media platforms are already transforming pharmaceutical practice and education in Nigeria, a trend which, he said, has promoted patients’ education, expanded the reach of pharmaceutical practice beyond its walls and enhanced immediacy of impact.
According to him, social media have helped to ensure medication safety awareness, promoted community engagement as well as enhanced patients’ education; just as it has potential benefits of achieving rapid information dissemination, improved patient-pharmacist interaction, professional networking and collaboration for practitioners.
While raising concerns over the potential clash between the ethics of the pharmaceutical profession, patients’ privacy and the libertarian nature of social media, Prof. Usifoh advocated a balance between personal expressions and professional representation as pharmacists. The PSN boss also charged pharmacists to adhere to ethical guidelines and professionalism.
Earlier in her remarks, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS, described the Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun-Afodu Annual Lecture in Pharmacy as a platform to stimulate public discourse which would enhance research and add value to pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, Professor Oluwole Familoni, called on other philanthropists to emulate the donor and sponsor of the Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun-Afodu Annual Lecture, by committing their resources to promoting research which would enhance knowledge and add value to life.
Prof Familoni, who also spoke in his capacity as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun-Afodu Annual Lecture expressed optimism that the gathering will, among other things, serve as a catalyst for actionable insights.
In separate remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Dr Stella Chinyelu Okoli, OON; the Special Guest of Honour, Professor Lere Baale and representative of the donor family, Dr Bolaji Akerele implored pharmacists to make the best use of social media for their career advancement and further projection of the pharmaceutical profession.
The event featured the official announcement of Dr. (Mrs.) Ibilola Cardoso-Daodu of the Department of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Technology as winner of the Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun-Afodu Research Grant of One Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Five Naira (N1,870, 395.00).
The Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun-Afodu Annual Lecture in Pharmacy is one of the legacies late Mrs Frederica Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele gifted to the University of Lagos in her last Will and Testament.
