The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has urged the Federal Government to officially designate community pharmacies as Primary Health Care (PHC) centers across the country.
The call was made by the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, during a press briefing at the association’s national secretariat to mark the 2025 World Pharmacists Day, themed “Think Health, Think Pharmacist.”
Ezeh stressed that pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare delivery, noting that they are often the first point of contact for patients. According to him, their accessibility and readiness to provide free consultations enable them to guide patients on safe medication use, potential side effects, drug interactions, and adherence strategies.
Highlighting the profession’s contributions to public health, Ezeh outlined pharmacists’ involvement in vaccination campaigns, health screenings, disease prevention, opioid stewardship, health policy advocacy, telepharmacy services, and collaborative care plans with other healthcare professionals.
He emphasized the importance of value-based care, urging recognition of pharmacists’ role in developing personalized care plans that improve patient outcomes.
As part of the celebrations, ACPN unveiled a new initiative tagged “Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation.” The initiative seeks to standardize career progression ratings for community pharmacists nationally and globally, providing structured pathways for professional development and quality assurance in patient care.
Ezeh also announced a new five-band career advancement scheme for community pharmacy practice, which includes:
1. Community Pharmacist
2. Senior Community Pharmacist
3. Community Pharmacist Specialist
4. Community Pharmacist Senior Specialist
5. Community Pharmacist Consultant
He explained that the framework aims to enhance professional knowledge, encourage continuous improvement, and strengthen collaboration opportunities within the sector.
“The benefits of this initiative will lead to improved health outcomes for the populace,” Ezeh said, reaffirming ACPN’s commitment to driving positive change and professional satisfaction in community pharmacy practice.
He concluded by calling on pharmacists nationwide to use the 2025 World Pharmacists Day as a platform to showcase their impact on healthcare systems and advocate for the recognition of community pharmacies as integral to primary healthcare in Nigeria
