The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has emphasized the need for policy reforms and stronger regulatory measures within the pharmaceutical industry.
In their call to action, the pharmacists highlighted the necessity for the government to demonstrate greater commitment to unlocking the potential of the pharmaceutical sector by addressing a range of challenges, including the fragmented coordination within the sector. They also urged the government to tackle the prevalence of unqualified and untrained individuals entering the professional field, the ongoing issue of counterfeit medicines due to ineffective implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), and the lack of technological integration and inadequate access to capital and infrastructure.
These concerns were outlined in a communiqué released at the conclusion of the ACPN’s 43rd Annual National Conference, themed “Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice through Innovation and Collaboration.” The event brought together pharmacists, government officials, and industry stakeholders to discuss the current challenges and potential opportunities facing community pharmacies in Nigeria.
A central focus of the conference was the urgent need for policy changes that promote innovation and collaboration within community pharmacy practices. The ACPN believes that such reforms would enhance service delivery, foster research, and ultimately improve patient care.
The association also stressed the vital role of community pharmacies in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and called on the government to recognize these pharmacies as primary healthcare centers, making them a priority in the healthcare system.
Additionally, the ACPN advocated for stricter regulations and increased funding for regulatory bodies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN). They emphasized the importance of effectively implementing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) and noted that better funding could help reduce the financial burden on pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers, particularly in light of rising drug costs.
The conference also addressed the need to expand community pharmacy services to rural areas, ensuring broader access to essential healthcare.
Reflecting on the recent developments at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIA), the ACPN called for immediate legal action to enforce the implementation of the amended NHIA Act and the PCN Act 2022, especially regarding the proper dispensing of drugs in social health insurance programs in Nigeria. They pointed out that over N1 trillion worth of drugs has been dispensed since 2006 by individuals not compliant with the necessary legal provisions.
The ACPN also commended the Federal Ministry of Health for revitalizing the National Prescription Policy (NPP), initiated by the PSN leadership in 2013. However, they emphasized the need for appointing a pharmaceutical consultant who is a registered pharmacist under the PCN Act and a medical consultant who is a registered medical doctor under the MDCN Act.
The conference concluded with the election of new National Executive Committee (NEC) members for the 2024/25 term.
