How To Differentiate Between A Superintendent Pharmacist And A Pharmacy Director

A superintendent pharmacist is a fully registered and licensed pharmacist. He must have a minimum qualification of B. Pharm or D. Pharm from a PCN (Pharmacists Council of Nigeria)-recognized institution. He should have completed his NYSC (National Youth Service Scheme).

A pharmacy premises in Nigeria can only be registered by a superintendent pharmacist (minimum qualification). In some pharmacy settings, the superintendent pharmacist also serves as the pharmacy manager. But this will require that the pharmacist have a knowledge of business administration.

A superintendent pharmacist can resign from a pharmacy outlet and move to another within the same state or different state. He must, however, reach an agreement with the Pharmacist Director and the PCN officials (PCN State Coordinator, and the DPS of the state).

The superintendent pharmacist cannot register two premises in one year.

In addition to the superintendent pharmacist, most pharmacy outlets have additional locum pharmacists who can also stand for the premises, but they are mostly on a temporal basis.

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Roles of a Superintendent Pharmacist

  1. He is in charge of the management of pharmacy in a professsional manner.
  2. He registers a pharmacy premises with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria.
  3. He also registers products, drugs and food with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
  4. He processes prescription and also dispenses the medication.
  5. He provides drug information and education to the patients, other healthcare givers.
  6. He supervises and manages other pharmacists under him, other staffs such as cashiers, sales assistants, pharmacy technicians, interns.
  7. Provides pharmaceutical care services to patients and counsel them on proper use of medications, handling of adverse side effects of drugs.
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Pharmacy Director

The pharmacy director oversees the smooth and efficient operation of the pharmacy. He is the administrative head of the pharmacy firm and takes crucial decisions like hiring and training of staff, budget, and planning. He also ensures that the pharmacy operation is in line with the regulations of the Pharmacists Council, state and federal laws, and other regulations.

Pharmacy regulation stipulates that for a non-pharmacist to register a wholesale pharmacy or importation of drugs, a pharmacist must be on the board of directors before the incorporation of the business by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

It is important to note that by law, the role of a pharmacist director means the pharmacist should own 51% of the shares of the company once they register the pharmacy firm. He is a licensed pharmacist who will serve as one of the owners of the pharmacy.

As pharmacy director, you must have a legal agreement with the owners of the business with regards to your annual remuneration and the mode of operation of the company.

In as much as non-pharmacists can form the board of directors of all forms of pharmacy apart from a retail pharmacy, the CEO must be a pharmacist. In this partnership, the pharmacist must have the highest share of 51%.

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One can be a pharmacist director in more than one company but can only be a superintendent pharmacist in one pharmacy premises, be it a hospital, community, or industry.

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1 thought on “How To Differentiate Between A Superintendent Pharmacist And A Pharmacy Director”

  1. Thanks… This information was very helpful.

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