Pharmacists to FG: Recognise Pharmacies as Primary Health Centres

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has urged the Federal Government to officially designate community pharmacies nationwide as Primary Health Care (PHC) centres.

ACPN National Chairman, Mr. Ambrose Ezeh, made the call in Abuja on Thursday in a statement marking the 2025 World Pharmacists Day, celebrated annually on September 25. The 2025 theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacist”, highlights the critical role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery.

Ezeh emphasised that pharmacists, as trusted healthcare professionals, provide essential services ranging from medication expertise and health counselling to disease management support and public health advocacy.

“Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients,” he said. “Their accessibility and free consultations enable them to guide patients on medication safety, side effects, drug interactions, and adherence strategies.”

He further noted the contributions of community pharmacists to public health through vaccination drives, health screenings, preventive initiatives, and digital health services such as telepharmacy. According to him, pharmacists also play active roles in disease prevention, policy development, health education, and integrated care planning with other providers.

Highlighting the need for value-based care, Ezeh said pharmacists are uniquely positioned to deliver personalised care plans that improve medication management and health outcomes.

As part of this year’s commemoration, ACPN launched the “Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation” initiative to standardise career progression for community pharmacists at both national and global levels.

The framework introduces a five-tier progression system—Community Pharmacist, Senior Community Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist Specialist, Community Pharmacist Senior Specialist, and Community Pharmacist Consultant. Ezeh explained that the scheme would promote professional development, talent retention, quality assurance, and ultimately better health outcomes for Nigerians.

He called on pharmacists to use the occasion of World Pharmacists Day to showcase their impact on the health system and continue advocating for the formal integration of community pharmacies into Nigeria’s PHC structure.

World Pharmacists Day was established by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in 2009 to celebrate the profession’s achievements and raise awareness of pharmacists’ contributions to global health systems.