Community pharmacists from across Nigeria have converged on Anambra State for the 44th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka. Themed “Technology Integration and Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice,” the event marked a pivotal moment for pharmacy professionals, as stakeholders committed to transforming healthcare delivery through innovation and collaboration.
The opening ceremony drew distinguished guests from government, healthcare, academia, and traditional institutions. In attendance were the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo; President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim; Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed; and the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Deputy Director, Pharm. Loui Madu.
Also present were notable figures including past PSN Presidents, state commissioners, senior pharmacists, traditional rulers, and captains of the pharmaceutical industry. The opening address was delivered by Pharm. (Dr.) Ignatius Anukwu, representing the chairman of the ceremony, Pharm. (Sir) Ikechukwu Onyechi, who acknowledged the unwavering commitment of community pharmacists, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Community pharmacists are the face of primary healthcare in Nigeria. They continue to stand at the forefront of public health delivery, often serving as the first and most accessible point of care,” Anukwu said. He urged pharmacists to embrace digital solutions and personalized services, describing them as key to meeting the evolving needs of patients in a complex healthcare environment.
ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, in his remarks, emphasized the strategic importance of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) and commended Governor Soludo for his administration’s pharmacy-friendly policies, including the development of Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) in Anambra State. He expressed hope for the speedy completion of the Oba CWC project and stressed the need for regulatory clarity between NAFDAC and PCN, calling on NAFDAC to refrain from overstepping statutory mandates.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Chukwuemeka Michael Ubaka, who also serves as the Commissioner for Health in Imo State, challenged community pharmacists to integrate digital tools and personalized care into their daily practice. “In this digital age, the most impactful healthcare provider is the local pharmacist,” he declared. He emphasized that community pharmacies must align with global health goals, including universal health coverage, by offering chronic disease management, health education, and vaccination support.
Prof. Ubaka quoted the World Health Organization’s vision of health for all, underscoring the pharmacist’s role in ensuring equitable, affordable care without financial hardship to patients.
Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim, PSN President, hailed the Anambra government’s support and announced that the state would host the next PSN National Conference. He praised ACPN’s enduring relevance, stating, “The community pharmacist is the first point of contact for the sick; your work reflects the image of pharmacy. Keep shining the light.”
Registrar of PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed, affirmed the council’s support for initiatives such as the CWC in Oba and called for stronger inter-professional collaboration to improve drug distribution and public safety.
In his goodwill message, Governor Soludo welcomed participants to Anambra and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system. He recognized pharmacists as indispensable to the health and well-being of the population, advocating for professional ethics, continuous education, and digital transformation.
“Pharmacists are the heart of our healthcare delivery system. You help us live longer, healthier lives,” the governor said. “Technology is everything. As a government, we are working to make Anambra the preferred destination to live, learn, invest, and thrive.”
The governor urged professionals to uphold standards through self-regulation, and emphasized his administration’s focus on creating a reliable healthcare ecosystem that empowers practitioners and benefits residents.
The conference also featured award presentations and goodwill messages from key stakeholders, celebrating outstanding contributions within the pharmacy community. As deliberations continued, a unified message echoed throughout the sessions: the future of pharmacy practice lies in innovation, digital health adoption, and deeper engagement with personalized care models.
With renewed purpose, the ACPN and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to repositioning community pharmacists as integral players in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape—transforming lives through science, service, and technology.
Reporting by Niran Odufayo