Role of Pharmacists in Maternal and Child Health Programs: Perspectives from Primary Health Care Facilities in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria

Pharmacists in primary health care settings have an underutilized potential to improve maternal and child health outcomes through medicine supply management, counseling, and adherence support for antenatal and postnatal medications. In Kebbi State, North West Nigeria, where maternal and infant mortality indicators remain among the poorest nationally, strengthening pharmacist contributions to maternal health programs is particularly urgent. This study explored the actual and perceived roles of pharmacists in maternal and child health programs at primary health care facilities in Kebbi State. A mixed-methods design was employed, with 45 pharmacists and 30 maternal health nurses interviewed using semi-structured guides, supplemented by a structured questionnaire assessing role performance across defined domains. Findings indicated that pharmacist activities were largely confined to dispensing and stock management, with minimal engagement in antenatal counseling, nutritional supplementation education, or vaccination support. Only 18 percent of pharmacists participated in regular maternal health coordination meetings. Nurses and midwives expressed strong willingness to collaborate with pharmacists in antenatal education sessions if pharmacist time was available. Key barriers included staffing shortages, role boundary ambiguity, and absence of written pharmacist role definitions within primary health care teams. The study recommends formalizing pharmacist roles in maternal and child health program guidelines for Kebbi State and providing targeted training in reproductive pharmacotherapy. Keywords: pharmacist role, maternal health, primary health care, Kebbi State, reproductive pharmacotherapy