The has directed pharmacists and pharmacy operators across the country to intensify surveillance and reinforce infection prevention measures following recent outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease in parts of Central and East Africa.
In an advisory issued on Saturday and signed by PSN President , the society warned that although Nigeria has not recorded any Ebola case, pharmacists must remain vigilant because community pharmacies are often the first point of contact for individuals seeking treatment.
The advisory followed assurances by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, , who stated that there were currently no confirmed Ebola cases in Nigeria.
The PSN called on community pharmacies and institutional pharmacy departments nationwide to immediately strengthen biosecurity measures to prevent a possible outbreak.
According to the society, pharmacists in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory should maintain a high level of suspicion for patients showing symptoms linked to Ebola, particularly those with recent travel history to affected countries in East and Central Africa.
The body explained that Ebola has an incubation period of between two and 21 days and becomes contagious only after symptoms begin to appear.
It listed early symptoms to include sudden high fever, severe fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headaches, and sore throat, while advanced symptoms may involve vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rashes, impaired kidney and liver function, and bleeding from body openings.
The PSN advised pharmacists to routinely ask patients with sudden fever about recent international travel or contact with travellers from affected regions within the last 21 days.
The society also ordered the immediate restoration of hand hygiene stations in pharmacies nationwide, noting that handwashing points equipped with soap and running water or alcohol-based sanitisers containing at least 70 per cent alcohol should be placed at pharmacy entrances.
It further urged pharmacists and dispensing assistants to wear personal protective equipment, including masks and disposable gloves, when attending to patients showing signs of respiratory or systemic illness.
The advisory also recommended intensified disinfection of frequently touched surfaces such as counters, payment terminals, door handles, and consultation areas using bleach solutions or alcohol-based disinfectants.
The PSN cautioned against carrying out non-essential invasive point-of-care tests, including blood glucose checks and malaria rapid diagnostic tests, for patients with unexplained fever to reduce the risk of blood-borne exposure.
On self-medication, the society warned pharmacists against indiscriminate dispensing of antimalarial drugs and antibiotics for unexplained fever cases that do not respond to standard treatment or are accompanied by severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
It also urged pharmacists to combat misinformation and false claims about herbal cures, saltwater baths, and other unverified remedies for Ebola, stressing that early supportive treatment at designated health facilities significantly improves survival chances.
The PSN outlined emergency procedures for suspected Ebola cases presenting at pharmacies, directing pharmacists to immediately isolate such individuals in low-traffic areas while maintaining a safe distance.
The society warned pharmacy personnel against direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, or sweat without specialised protective equipment.
It instructed pharmacists to promptly contact the through its toll-free emergency line, 6232, or notify state epidemiology units and Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers.
According to the advisory, suspected patients should remain isolated until trained emergency response teams arrive to safely evacuate them to designated isolation centres, adding that public transport should not be used for such movement.
The PSN said the vigilance and professionalism of pharmacists and other healthcare workers would be crucial in preventing any possible Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.
