A lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), Dr. Bashar Muhammad Augie, has called on healthcare professionals to adopt evidence-based prescribing to combat the growing menace of medicine misuse and improve patient safety.
Dr. Augie made the call while delivering a lecture organised by the College of Health Sciences FUBK to mark the 2026 International Rational Use of Medicines Day, held on Wednesday, July 8, at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi.
He warned that irrational medicine use continues to threaten global health through treatment failure, adverse drug reactions, antimicrobial resistance, avoidable hospitalisations and preventable deaths.
Dr. Augie disclosed that more than 50 per cent of medicines are prescribed inappropriately, over 50 per cent are dispensed incorrectly, while more than half of patients worldwide use medicines improperly.
He described the statistics as a wake-up call for governments, healthcare institutions and professionals to strengthen responsible prescribing practices.
The pharmacologist identified self-medication, antibiotic misuse, counterfeit medicines and medicine misinformation as major challenges confronting Nigeria's healthcare system.
He advocated stronger antimicrobial stewardship programmes, adherence to treatment guidelines and continuous public education on the rational use of medicines.
Dr. Augie further highlighted the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation that at least 60 per cent of a country's antibiotic consumption should come from the "Access" group to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics and curb antimicrobial resistance.
He urged healthcare professionals to "Prescribe with Purpose, Use with Care and Promote Smart Choices," stressing that every prescription is a public health intervention with far-reaching consequences for individuals and communities alike.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, described the lecture as timely and commended Dr. Augie and the Department for promoting best practices that strengthen healthcare delivery and safeguard public health in the society.
The VC was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aliyu Abdullahi Turaki.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Associate Prof. Aliyu Hamza Balarabe, stressed the importance of responsible prescribing and stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals in tackling antimicrobial resistance and improving patient care.
FUBK Bulletin reports that highlight of the event was the presentation of community awareness videos in local languages by five FUBK medical students, aimed at promoting rational medicine use and improving public understanding of the dangers of self-medication and antibiotic misuse.
The event formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Rational Use of Medicines Day, observed globally to promote the safe, effective and responsible use of medicines in the community.