The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria(ACPN) has called on the federal government to officially designate community pharmacies as Primary Health Care Centres across the nation to boost health delivery.
This was made known in a statement delivered by Ambrose Ezeh, National Chairman of the Association, to mark the 2025 World Pharmacist Day. Themed “Think Health, Think Pharmacist”.
Ezeh highlighted that pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals who provide essential services such as medication expertise, health advice, disease management support, and public health advocacy.
“Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients, making them essential in the healthcare system. Their accessibility and willingness to provide free consultations enable them to counsel patients on medication safety, potential side effects, drug interactions, and adherence strategies”, he added.
The National Chairman added that Pharmacists make several critical contributions to public health, including public health campaigns, disease prevention and control, health education and policy development, and Collaboration with healthcare providers.
Ezeh emphasised the importance of value-based care, which encourages community pharmacists to develop personalised care plans that optimise medication management. He pointed to the current healthcare landscape as offering significant opportunities for pharmacists to advance their careers in advocacy, research, training, and participation in global health initiatives.
As part of the celebrations, the ACPN launched the Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation initiative. This initiative aims to standardise career progression ratings for community pharmacists both nationally and globally, creating structured pathways for professional development, talent retention, and quality assurance in patient services.
