The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has announced that its 44th Annual International Conference will be held from July 22 to 27, 2025, in Awka, Anambra State. Themed “Technology Integration, Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice,” the event is expected to attract over 3,000 delegates from across Nigeria and abroad, including pharmacists, technologists, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders.
In a statement issued by the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, the Association emphasized the urgent need for a transformation of community pharmacy practice through digital innovation and patient-centered care. According to him, the evolving healthcare landscape demands a new model that integrates technologies such as artificial intelligence, telepharmacy, electronic health records, and point-of-care testing to improve service delivery and public health outcomes.
Pharm. Igwekamma noted that the profession stands at a critical crossroads, where traditional roles must expand to meet the expectations of a tech-savvy and wellness-conscious population. He said community pharmacists must lead the charge in delivering personalized, data-driven pharmaceutical care to Nigerians.
In addition to the conference announcement, ACPN raised serious concerns about the resurgence of fake and substandard drugs in circulation. Drawing from historical data and recent findings, the chairman revealed that the prevalence of fake drugs in Nigeria has returned to levels exceeding 50%, despite official estimates placing the figure at 13% to 15%. Citing studies from 1988 and 1998 conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, and the University of Lagos, Igwekamma said the situation remains dire, with open drug markets and patent medicine vendors still serving as major distribution channels for counterfeit medicines.
He recalled the impact of reforms led by late NAFDAC Director General Prof. Dora Akunyili in the early 2000s, which saw a marked reduction in fake drug prevalence. However, he lamented that gains made in the past have been eroded due to a decline in regulatory enforcement, with federal and state task forces largely inactive in recent years. He described the current fake drug and adulterated drink trade as a multi-billion-naira enterprise driven by what he termed “modern-day merchants of death.”
The ACPN chairman commended the January 2024 collaboration between NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, which led to the closure of the Sabon-Geri drug market in Kano following the launch of Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC). The CWCs, established in line with the National Drug Distribution Guidelines released in 2015, are intended to replace unregulated open drug markets. He called for urgent legislative reforms, urging the National Assembly to amend and strengthen the existing Fake Drug and Unwholesome Food Act to equip regulators with more effective enforcement tools.
The upcoming conference will feature keynote speeches, technical sessions, workshops, exhibitions, and networking events. Delegates will engage in discussions on emerging innovations, regulatory frameworks, and strategies for strengthening pharmaceutical practice. Other activities will include a public walk against counterfeit medicines, cultural celebrations, and recognition of professional excellence.
Pharm. Igwekamma expressed appreciation for the support of the Anambra State Government in hosting the event, describing Awka as a welcoming and strategic venue for driving conversations that will shape the future of pharmacy in Nigeria. He called on all healthcare professionals, development partners, and relevant stakeholders to participate fully in the conference, adding that unity and innovation are essential to building a resilient and impactful community pharmacy model.
The statement concluded with a renewed commitment to public health, urging stakeholders to join hands in protecting Nigerians from fake and dangerous products while embracing innovation to improve lives.