As the role of pharmacists evolves, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) is urging the need for immediate healthcare policy reforms that must be formally embedded in national healthcare policy.
ACPN made the call as it marked this year’s World Pharmacists Day under the theme “Think Health, Think Pharmacy,” stressing that their role is indispensable, and it’s time the government recognised it.
In a joint press statement, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, National Chairman of the ACPN, and Pharm. Omokhafe Ashore, its National Secretary, declared that pharmacists are increasingly becoming the first point of contact for patient across the nation.
Unlike other healthcare professionals, they offer free consultations, immediate medication counselling, and remain accessible well beyond standard clinical hours. Health stakeholders agree pharmacists are an untapped asset in Nigeria’s overstretched health system.
To institutionalise these contributions, the ACPN has launched a bold initiative: “Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation.” This programme introduces a structured five-tier career progression model from Community Pharmacist to Consultant Pharmacist aimed at professionalising and standardising pharmacy practice nationwide.
The framework is designed to drive continuous professional development, elevate service quality, retain skilled talent, and establish benchmarks for excellence. It mirrors global best practices and responds directly to Nigeria’s urgent healthcare challenges.
With digital health on the rise, pharmacists are extending their reach through telepharmacy offering virtual consultations, remote medication adherence support, and patient counselling in underserved and remote areas.
Beyond clinical care, pharmacists are deeply involved in public health advocacy, policy engagement, and community outreach. They contribute to health research, promote rational drug use, and combat the misuse of antibiotics and controlled substances. Yet, despite these vital roles, the ACPN insists pharmacists remain underutilised and underrepresented in national health policy-making.
