The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has renewed calls on the Federal Government to formally designate community pharmacies as Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in recognition of their crucial role in grassroots healthcare delivery.
The appeal 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. This year’s theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacist,” underscores the indispensable role of pharmacists in improving access to care and strengthening health systems.
Ezeh described pharmacists as trusted professionals who provide essential services ranging from medication expertise and health advice to disease management and public health advocacy. He stressed that pharmacists often serve as the first point of contact for patients, offering free consultations and counseling on drug safety, side effects, interactions, and adherence.
The ACPN chairman highlighted several contributions of pharmacists to public health, including active participation in vaccination programs, health screenings, and campaigns on disease prevention and chronic condition management. He also pointed to pharmacists’ involvement in policy development, digital health, telepharmacy services for remote areas, and collaboration with other healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes and bridge health disparities.
“Value-based care encourages community pharmacists to develop personalized care plans that optimize medication management,” Ezeh said, noting that the evolving healthcare landscape presents new opportunities for pharmacists to expand their roles in advocacy, research, training, and global health initiatives.
As part of activities marking this year’s celebration, ACPN unveiled the Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation initiative, designed to standardize career progression ratings for community pharmacists at both national and international levels. The initiative aims to create structured career pathways, enhance professional development, and strengthen quality assurance in patient care.
Under the scheme, five career progression bands were introduced: Community Pharmacist, Senior Community Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist Specialist, Community Pharmacist Senior Specialist, and Community Pharmacist Consultant. According to Ezeh, the framework will drive continuous improvement, expand collaboration opportunities, and ultimately translate into better health outcomes for Nigerians.
He reaffirmed ACPN’s commitment to championing positive change in pharmacy practice while urging the government and stakeholders to recognize community pharmacies as integral components of primary healthcare.
“The benefits of this initiative will lead to improved health outcomes for the populace,” Ezeh said. “World Pharmacists Day is an opportunity for us to showcase our impact on health systems and advocate for a future where community pharmacies are fully recognized as primary healthcare centers in Nigeria.”