The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has issued a strong call for reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system, warning that the continued marginalisation of non-physician professionals threatens sector-wide development and stability. The association made this known during a pre-conference media briefing ahead of its 44th Annual National Conference scheduled to hold in Awka, Anambra State, from July 22 to 27, 2025.
Speaking to journalists, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, and National Secretary, Pharm. Omokhafe Ashore, expressed concern over what they described as institutional bias favouring the medical profession in critical leadership and regulatory positions across federal health institutions. They argued that such imbalance has not only stifled professional growth but also weakened the efficiency of healthcare delivery in the country.
The ACPN leaders accused the Federal Ministry of Health of enabling a system that systematically excludes pharmacists and other healthcare workers from decision-making structures, despite their significant contributions. According to them, policies such as the delayed implementation of the consultant pharmacist cadre and the resistance to pharmacist-led residency training continue to frustrate progress in the sector.
Highlighting the disparity in career advancement, they noted that pharmacists who fund their own fellowship programmes are often denied recognition, while physicians receive government sponsorship for residency training. They described this as unjust and unsustainable, especially as many of the government-sponsored physicians migrate abroad shortly after training, leaving the country at a loss.
The pharmacists also condemned recent threats by some medical associations to reverse revised remuneration structures and new recognitions for other health professionals. They described the move as a display of professional hegemony aimed at suppressing the growth of other healthcare cadres.
Despite these challenges, the ACPN commended Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers for major strides in local drug production. The association cited investments by companies such as Fidson Healthcare, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, and Codix Healthcare as examples of how the sector is transforming amid adversity. They projected that with continued support, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market could grow from its current $2 billion valuation to $10 billion within five years.
The ACPN urged the government to support local drug manufacturers through policy incentives, improved access to production materials, and enforcement of existing regulations such as the National Drug Distribution Guidelines. They also called for an amendment to the Fake Drug Act to strengthen penalties and safeguard public health.
Reacting to the proposed National Health Facility Regulatory Authority (NHFRA) bill before the National Assembly, the association firmly rejected any attempt to merge the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) with other health regulatory agencies. They argued that the PCN, established under the 2022 Act, has already achieved international benchmarks—including a WHO maturity level 3 rating—and should remain an autonomous regulatory body.
They maintained that pharmacy regulation, in line with global best practices, requires focused oversight by professionals within the field to preserve standards, ethics, and public safety. According to the ACPN, merging regulatory functions would dilute the effectiveness of pharmacy governance and create unnecessary bureaucracy.
As the countdown to its Awka conference continues, the ACPN reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, drug security, and equity in the healthcare system. It called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene directly and facilitate inclusive reforms that reflect the multidisciplinary nature of health service delivery in Nigeria.
The association warned that the continued exclusion of non-physician professionals from leadership and policy-making roles would deepen discontent within the system and further derail the government’s healthcare goals.