“My Dream is Making Eritrea Africa’s Pharmaceutical Hub:” Pharmacist Nuru Abdu

 Eritrean youth at home and in the diaspora are tirelessly working to realize the national vision across every sector—raising their national consciousness, strengthening their organizational skills, and equipping themselves with the necessary tools for success. Pharmacist Nuru Abdu Ahmed is one of these visionaries, diligently working to transform his dream of making Eritrea Africa’s pharmaceutical hub into a reality. Eritrean Profile invites you to share in his inspiring passion and exemplary professional journey.

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Please, let’s begin with your background.

My name is Nuru Abdu Ahmed. I was born on October 2, 1995, in Asmara, from a family that prioritized education as a fundamental necessity of life—an inspiring foundation that continues to shape my destiny.

I began my education at Awet Elementary and Junior School in 2002 and completed junior school in June 2010. In September 2010, I entered Grade 9 at Denden Secondary School, and continued my studies at Keih Bahri Comprehensive Secondary School from 2011 to 2013 (Grades 10–11).

In 2013, I went to Sawa with the 27th round to complete my high school education. This was the most memorable and impactful period of my life, a time when every national youth undergoes profound physical and mental transformation. Getting acquainted with diverse national groups, I became deeply aware of our national history and the rich cultural beauty across the nation. I also earned essential life skills, including communication and time management.

In the Eritrean Secondary School Examinations, I achieved a score of 3.6, which enabled me to join the Eritrean Institute of Technology (EIT) at Mai-Nefhi in September 2014 for my freshman studies. I scored 3.8 during that year and, in 2015, enrolled at the Asmara College of Health Sciences to study pharmacy. I completed my program in 2019 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree with distinction from Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences on December 19, 2020.

How did your life journey continue after college?

After completing my degree program in 2019, I was first assigned to Adi-Tekeliezan Community Hospital as Chief Pharmacist, a role I held until March 2022. I was then reassigned to Massawa for a special program at the temporarily established Mussa Ali Community Hospital, serving first as Chief Pharmacist and later as the hospital administrator until July 2023.

Currently, I work at the head office of the Ministry of Health in the Medicines Information Services Unit, within the Pharmacy Services Division of the Department of Medical Services, as a Formulary Process Officer. In this position, I am actively involved in preparing standard treatment guidelines and the formulary manual, revising the Eritrean National List of Medicines, disseminating accurate medicine-related information to healthcare professionals and the public, and conducting research on the rational use of medicines.

Simultaneously, I am a member of the Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association (ERIPA), the Eritrean Pharmacist Connection (EriPco), and the National Anti-Doping Organization under the Commission of Culture and Sports.

What genuinely inspired you to study Pharmacy?

When I was a child, I vividly recall my father highlighting health as life’s ultimate wealth—the foundation upon which a beautiful life is built. This remarkable wisdom echoed in my mind throughout the years, inspiring me to enroll in pharmacy so that I could contribute my part in making life easier and healthier for everyone.

Let’s talk about the field of pharmacy and its significance for humanity.

As a pharmacist, I see pharmacy as much more than the dispensing of medicines; it is the vital bridge between molecular science and human health. The field encompasses the entire lifecycle of a drug—from discovery and rigorous clinical research to regulatory oversight and patient-centered care. Ultimately, its impact on humanity is profound. By optimizing medication therapy, preventing drug interactions, and pioneering public health policies, pharmacy transforms complex chemistry into safe, life-saving treatments that alleviate suffering, eradicate diseases, and significantly extend human lifespan.

As a member of the Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association (ER­IPA) and the Eritrean Pharmacist Connection (EriPco), what are the missions of these associations and your contributions to them?

From May 2023 to May 2026, I served within ERIPA as a Board Member, Chair of the Scientific Committee, Editor-in-Chief of its journal Pharma Focus, and one of the coordinators of the National Pharmacy Week conducted in 2025 to sensitize the public on the rational use of medicines. In these capacities, I worked to advance ERIPA’s vision of fostering excellence in pharmacy practice and its mission to promote evidence-based pharmaceutical sciences.

I also serve as a Board Member for EriPco, an international organization dedicated to helping pharmacy professionals realize their full potential. Through EriPco, we actively deliver on a mission to provide platforms for mentorship, networking, and entrepreneurship, while championing impactful projects in education, research, and policy advocacy to advance the profession and promote healthy living.

What is your ultimate dream?

Throughout our national history, particularly during the Eritrean armed struggle, the work done in the field of pharmacy was truly remarkable. Even in the post-independence era, the Eritrean government has strived to ensure citizens’ well-being through the provision of quality health services across the country, enrolling skilled health professionals in all healthcare sectors. Within this Grand National vision, my dream is to make Eritrea Africa’s pharmaceutical center— sharing Eritrea’s rich experience and its ongoing self-reliant health sector success stories across the continent.

What concrete steps have you taken so far to bring this vision into reality?

To realize this dream, I am primarily focusing on research— an essential skill I have been cultivating since my college studies. The instructors I met in the field of pharmacy truly shaped my research attitude and ongoing achievements. To date, I have published 17 research articles in top-ranked international peer-reviewed journals, including those published by PLOS, Springer, BMJ, and Dove Medical Press. Additionally, I serve as a reviewer for more than 20 international peer-reviewed journals and as an academic editor for prestigious journals such as PLOS ONE and Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety.

Furthermore, I have completed short courses on antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control, the WHO’s practical toolkit on Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries, and a course on Doping: Sports, Organizations and Sciences, authorized by the University of Lausanne.

Let’s talk about your recent awards “Outstanding Researcher” and “Best Presenter” at the 19th Sci­entific Conference of the Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association, held on May 1, 2026.

During the conference, I received two inaugural honors initiated by ERIPA to recognize scientific excellence. The first was the Best Young Researcher Award, which highlights research productivity and future potential among early-career scientists aged 30 or younger. The second was the Best Conference Presenter Award, which evaluated the scientific quality and clinical rigor of the paper, alongside presentation delivery, audience engagement, and clarity of responses during the Q&A session. This presentation award was specifically for my study titled, “Safety, Pattern, and Determinants of Prescribed Medicines Among Pregnant Women Attending Healthcare Facilities in Eritrea.” Together, these honors serve as welcome validation and strong motivation to continue contributing to local pharmaceutical research.

What are your future plans?

Looking ahead, my primary objective is to pursue advanced postgraduate studies to elevate my research passion into a powerful tool for national impact. Specifically, I intend to focus on antimicrobial resistance and therapeutics, aiming to generate high-quality evidence that directly transforms healthcare policy and clinical practice— ultimately driving significant progress in the health outcomes of the Eritrean population. I also plan to undertake specialized training in anti-doping and the applications of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare systems, ensuring our local practice remains at the cutting edge of global medical technology.

Crucially, I am dedicated to professional mentorship. I want to inspire and influence the next generation of young Eritrean professionals to cultivate a research mindset, empowering them to actively conduct scientific inquiries within their respective fields to build a resilient, evidence-based healthcare system.

Do you have any final message?

With passion, discipline, and commitment, anyone can reach their dream goals. Challenges are part of our everyday life, but we can take them as learning lessons for future plans and mitigate them through commitment and determi­nation rather than perceiving them as limiting factors. Pharmacy pro­fessionals should be researchers in their working areas and should advance their knowledge daily to keep pace with evolving healthcare advancements.

Finally, I would like to thank my family, mentors, and the Ministry of Health, all of whom have con­tributed to my ongoing academic and professional achievements.

Pharmacist Nuru Abdu Ahmed, thank you so much for your precious time. We look forward to your future success.