The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Community Pharmacy has adopted a historic proposal presented by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), marking a major milestone for Nigeria on the global stage of pharmacy practice.
The adoption followed a presentation by Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, National Chairman of ACPN, during the 83rd FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from August 31 to September 3, 2025. Themed “Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration and Health Transformation”, the congress gathered global pharmacy leaders to chart the future of the profession.
Ezeh’s presentation, titled “Standardization: Career Progression Ratings for Community Pharmacists in Nigeria”, underscored the urgent need for structured career progression for community pharmacists. His session, chaired by Mr. Sheriff Guorgui, Chairman of FIP Community Pharmacy, received widespread commendation. Guorgui endorsed the proposals as innovative steps for global practice, describing them as “the way to go for community pharmacists.”
Highlighting challenges facing the profession in Nigeria, Ezeh noted that the Superintendent Pharmacist position currently serves as both entry-level and peak rank, leaving no room for growth or differentiation between new and experienced practitioners. He warned that this stagnation discourages young pharmacists from pursuing careers in community practice.
To tackle these gaps, ACPN established an Accreditation and Standardization Committee, which birthed the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI). According to Ezeh, the institute will provide a competency-based framework for assessment, professional growth, and career advancement, thereby motivating performance and ensuring quality service delivery.
“The CPACPI is designed to promote excellence in community pharmacy practice through structured and transparent career progression,” Ezeh stated. “It empowers community pharmacists to deliver safe, patient-centered, and innovative healthcare services.”
The proposed Community Pharmacists Career Progression Scheme, he explained, offers numerous benefits, including mentorship, workshops, periodic evaluations, networking opportunities, and documentation of professional achievements. Ultimately, the initiative aims to enhance pharmacists’ recognition, improve patient outcomes, and align community practice with evolving healthcare demands.
In his closing remarks, Ezeh called on Nigerian pharmacists to embrace the framework, stressing its potential to elevate their visibility and impact within the healthcare sector.
The adoption of Ezeh’s proposal at the FIP congress is regarded as a landmark achievement for ACPN and the Nigerian pharmacy profession, positioning the country as a key contributor to global reforms in community pharmacy.
