The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has asked the Federal Government to officially recognize community pharmacies as primary health care centers (PHC) throughout the country.
This appeal was made by the National President of ACPN, Ambrose Ezeh, during a press conference at the National Secretariat of the Association to commemorate World Pharmaceutical Day of 2025, with the theme “Think about health, think of the pharmacist.”
Ezeh said that pharmacists play a key role in the provision of medical care, explaining that they are often the first point of contact for patients. According to him, their accessibility and willingness to offer free consultations allow them to guide patients about the use of safe medicines, possible side effects, medication interactions and adherence.
He highlighted the contributions of pharmacists to public health, including vaccination campaigns, health exams, disease prevention, opioid administration, the defense of health policy, telefarmacy services and collaborative care plans with other health professionals.
Ezeh also emphasized the importance of value based on value, urging the recognition of the role of pharmacists in the development of personalized care plans that improve patient results.
As part of the celebration, ACPN launched a new initiative entitled “Front Pharmacy: Performance, collaboration and transformation of health”. The program seeks to standardize professional progression qualifications for community pharmacists at national and international level, providing structured roads for professional growth and the quality guarantee in patient care.
Ezeh announced a new five -band professional advance scheme for the practice of community pharmacy, explaining that the framework aims to improve professional knowledge, promote continuous improvement and strengthen collaboration within the sector.
“The benefits of this initiative will lead to better health results for the population,” said Ezeh, reaffirming ACPN’s commitment to boost positive change and professional satisfaction in the practice of community pharmacy.
He concluded asking pharmacists throughout the country to use World Pharmaceutical Day of 2025 as an opportunity to show their impact on medical care systems and advocate for the recognition of community pharmacies as an integral part of primary medical care in Nigeria.
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