MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to integrate registered community pharmacists into the National Health Insurance Authority scheme. The association said the reform would expand access to affordable healthcare, guarantee the availability of quality medicines, and fast-track Nigeria’s attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja to announce preparations for its 45th Annual International Scientific Conference, National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, said the continued exclusion of community pharmacies from the National Health Insurance Authority framework undermines the effectiveness of the national health insurance programme.
He noted that community pharmacies remain the first and most accessible point of healthcare for the majority of Nigerians. According to him, nearly 80 percent of Nigerians seek healthcare first from neighbourhood pharmacies before presenting at hospitals.
“Most Nigerians live closer to a community pharmacy than to a major hospital. Integrating community pharmacists into the insurance scheme means healthcare becomes available right where people live. This will reduce travel time, lower out-of-pocket expenses, and improve timely access to quality medicines,” he said.
Pharm. Ezeh argued that leveraging the extensive nationwide network of licensed community pharmacies would bring healthcare services closer to millions of Nigerians while reducing pressure on overcrowded public hospitals.
He explained that although ACPN supports expanded collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority, implementation must be anchored on a transparent and equitable reimbursement framework. Such a model, he said, would comply with the provisions of the National Health Insurance Authority Act and ensure fairness among healthcare providers.
The ACPN chairman also stressed that pharmacy practice has evolved beyond dispensing. He said pharmacists are now involved in medication therapy management, disease prevention, pharmaceutical care and broader public health interventions. He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to raising professional standards through Mandatory Continuing Professional Development, research, and capacity building.
Pharm. Ezeh further warned Nigerians against patronising unlicensed medicine vendors. He described them as a major contributor to the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs. He urged the public to obtain medicines only from registered pharmacies supervised by licensed pharmacists.
He said integrating community pharmacies into the National Health Insurance Authority scheme would strengthen medicine quality assurance by directing healthcare financing through regulated pharmaceutical outlets.
The briefing also unveiled plans for the ACPN’s 45th Annual International Scientific Conference scheduled to hold from July 27 to August 1, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. The theme is “Unity 2026: From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact – Managing Complex Political Systems.”
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Pharm. Chidi Dozie, assured stakeholders that arrangements for logistics, security, exhibitions and scientific sessions had been concluded. He said participants should expect internationally benchmarked exhibitions and robust networking opportunities.
Dignitaries expected include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Governor of Niger State Mohammed Umaru Bago; Coordinating Minister of Health Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
As part of the conference, ACPN announced free medical screenings, hepatitis awareness campaigns and vaccinations across the FCT.
