Nigeria’s Community Pharmacists Embrace Digital Health and Personalized Care at ACPN 2025 Conference
Healthcare Leaders Chart New Path for Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria
The 44th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) concluded with a resounding call for digital transformation in healthcare delivery. Held under the theme “Technology Integration and Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice,” the IFEADIGO 2025 event brought together Nigeria’s top healthcare professionals, policymakers, and traditional leaders at the International Conference Center in Awka, Anambra State.
Key Stakeholders Unite for Healthcare Transformation
The conference featured an impressive lineup of dignitaries including Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, PSN President Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim, and PCN Registrar Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed. The gathering marked a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, with community pharmacists positioned as central figures in the country’s digital health revolution.
Professor Chukwuemeka Michael Ubaka, Imo State Commissioner for Health and keynote speaker, made a bold declaration: “The most impactful healthcare provider in the digital age is not a surgeon or physician but the local pharmacist.” His statement set the tone for discussions about transforming pharmacy practice through technology integration and patient-centered care.
Technology as the Cornerstone of Future Healthcare
Governor Soludo emphasized the critical role of technology in modern healthcare delivery, stating, “Technology is everything.” He highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and digital platforms to enhance pharmaceutical services, urging practitioners to embrace these innovations to improve patient outcomes.
Pharm. (Dr.) Ignatius Anukwu, representing the opening ceremony chairman, praised community pharmacists for their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and stressed the need for continuous digital adaptation. “ACPN is the face of community practice in Nigeria,” he noted, underscoring their frontline position in healthcare delivery.
Regulatory Harmony and Policy Advancements
ACPN National Chairman Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh commended Anambra State’s progressive pharmacy policies, particularly the development of Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs). He called for improved regulatory coordination between the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and NAFDAC to ensure smooth pharmacy operations nationwide.
PCN Registrar Pharm. Ahmed Babasheu reaffirmed the council’s commitment to collaborative regulation, praising the progress at the Oba CWC project as a model for efficient drug distribution in Nigeria.
Community Pharmacists: The First Line of Healthcare
PSN President Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim highlighted the unique position of community pharmacists as often the first point of contact for patients. “It is what they do that reflects on the image of the profession,” he stated, announcing that Anambra State would host the next National PSN Conference.
Professor Ubaka reinforced this perspective by quoting World Health Organization guidelines, emphasizing pharmacists’ crucial role in achieving Universal Health Coverage through chronic disease management, immunization programs, and public health education.
Awards and Recognition for Pharmacy Excellence
The conference also served as a platform to honor individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to advancing pharmacy practice in Nigeria. These awards recognized outstanding achievements in pharmaceutical innovation, community service, and healthcare leadership.
The Road Ahead for Nigerian Healthcare
As IFEADIGO 2025 concluded, participants left with a clear mandate: community pharmacists must fully embrace digital tools, strengthen clinical services, and assert their position as essential providers in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem. The event marked a turning point for the profession, signaling that the future of Nigerian healthcare begins at the community pharmacy level.
The conference’s outcomes are expected to influence healthcare policy and practice across Nigeria, with particular emphasis on leveraging technology to improve medication access, patient education, and overall healthcare quality.
Source: Independent Nigeria