Federal Govt, Governors Urged To Back Community Pharmacists To Make Drugs Affordable

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The Federal Government and State Governments have been urged to increase structural and financial support for community pharmacists to help subsidise essential medicines and make healthcare more affordable for Nigerians.

The call was made at the 45th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, held from July 27 to August 1, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The theme was “UNITY 2026: From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact.”

Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Amos Magaji, commended ACPN for promoting safe medicine use.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who was Special Guest of Honour, described community pharmacists as critical frontline workers in improving medicine access and affordability, especially for vulnerable Nigerians.

Akume highlighted federal interventions by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including an Executive Order suspending import duties, taxes and VAT on pharmaceutical raw materials, active ingredients, and medical equipment. He said the policy is aimed at reducing production costs and driving down drug prices.

He however noted that gaps persist, especially in rural areas. He urged pharmacists to support the fight against counterfeit drugs, drug abuse, and to join disease surveillance efforts to advance Universal Health Coverage.

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, represented by Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, also called for stronger collaboration. He said integrating community pharmacies into state health insurance and primary healthcare systems could strengthen drug supply chains and reduce costs.

The conference had in attendance the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Mrs. Olufowobi Adeola-Yusuf; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Pharm. Dr. Bernard Doro; and NPHCDA’s Dr. Muyi Aina, represented by Pharm. Hauwa Tensei.

PSN President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, and ACPN Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, stressed the need for policy alignment and government partnership.

PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the council was strengthening regulation including online pharmacy oversight. NAFDAC’s Dr. Rametu Momodu urged pharmacists to use tools like the NAFDAC Greenbook and Med Safety App to improve medicine safety.

In its communiqué, ACPN raised concerns over brain drain, revealing that over 9,500 pharmacists have left Nigeria in recent years. The association said community pharmacies can help close care gaps by providing services like hypertension screening, malaria treatment, antenatal care and family planning.

ACPN proposed three reforms: amendment of the Fake Drug Act to impose 20 years for first offenders and life imprisonment with asset forfeiture for repeat offenders; creation of a National Drug Management Agency to manage the Drug Revolving Fund; and establishment of a National Postgraduate College of Pharmacy for local specialist training.

The conference elected Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma as National Chairman for 2026/2027. Others include Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye as Vice Chairman and Pharm. Obiageri Ethel Ikwu as National Secretary.

In his inaugural speech, Igwekamma urged government to implement the resolutions to strengthen medicine security and bring affordable healthcare closer to Nigerians.