ACPN: Integrate pharmacies into PHCs to decongest hospitals
By Chioma Obinna
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ACPN), has called for the integration of community pharmacies into Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, saying the move would expand access to basic healthcare and reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary hospitals.
The association said community pharmacies, which are widely distributed across communities and often remain open beyond conventional hospital hours, constitute an “untapped access point” that government can leverage to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
ACPN made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its 45th Annual International Scientific Conference held in Abuja.
The pharmacists said integrating community pharmacies into primary healthcare, backed by appropriate policy, regulatory reforms and sustainable financing, was critical to achieving universal health coverage, UHC, in Nigeria.
The association said community pharmacies could provide access to essential medicines and support the management of uncomplicated disease conditions, allowing hospitals to concentrate on more complex cases.
“Community Pharmacies are an untapped access point because they are everywhere and open when patients need care, which makes Community Pharmacies a trusted, low-cost first contact,” ACPN said.
The association urged government to formally recognise and support the role of community pharmacies in delivering selected primary healthcare services.
It specifically called for community pharmacies to intensify free basic screening for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, while providing medication advice and counselling to patients.
ACPN also proposed the development of pharmacy-based clinics for counselling and advocacy on malaria, antenatal care, family planning and smoking cessation.
According to the pharmacists, expanding these services would improve early detection of diseases and provide Nigerians with more opportunities to access preventive healthcare close to their homes.
The association further directed community pharmacists to improve documentation and data generation, stressing that reliable data from pharmacies could support evidence-based advocacy and health policy decisions.
It said the Association should dedicate funds towards the paperwork and logistics required to improve documentation and data generation across community pharmacies.
The pharmacists maintained that achieving UHC requires quality, equitable and people-centred health services, adding that healthcare delivery could no longer be approached in isolation from governance, financing, technology, supply chains and public policy.
ACPN consequently adopted a five-pillar transformation agenda for community pharmacy practice, built around “one pillar, one vision; quality that inspires trust; digital first, data-driven; primary care partners; and working with health insurers.”
The association also challenged community pharmacists to become more involved in policy development and political processes, arguing that their proximity to communities gives them an important role in shaping healthcare policies.
It condemned what it described as years of political apathy among pharmacists and urged members to participate actively in policy and governance at all levels.
Meanwhile, the conference called for stronger regulatory collaboration among the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
It urged broader regulatory activities across the pharmaceutical sector, including private hospital pharmacies, to ensure compliance with relevant laws and protect patients.
The conference also called on government to intensify action against drug abuse, urging the authorities to punish peddlers and unlicensed dispensers of controlled medicines.
It called for adequate funding of PCN, NAFDAC, NDLEA and the Police to enable them effectively carry out their statutory responsibilities.
The pharmacists further urged government to equip existing rehabilitation centres and establish additional ones across the six geopolitical zones to tackle what they described as a growing national emergency of drug abuse.
The conference was attended by senior government officials and leaders of the pharmaceutical profession, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Director of Food and Drugs, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Olufowobi Adeola-Yusuf; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Pharm. Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro; NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Muyi Aina, represented by Pharm. Hauwa Tensei; and Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. I. B. Ahmed.
The keynote address was delivered by Managing Director, Evans Therapeutic, Pharm. Wale Oyenuga, on “Raising Community Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria to Global Standard: Navigating the Complex Nigerian Political System.”
The conference, also adopted resolutions aimed at repositioning community pharmacy practice and strengthening its contribution to Nigeria’s healthcare system.