Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has highlighted the critical role community pharmacists play in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Speaking at the 43rd annual international conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Adeyeye emphasized that, due to the limited number of medical doctors, community pharmacists are essential to maintaining healthcare services across the nation.
Adeyeye noted that community pharmacies are the third largest group of healthcare professionals globally, following physicians and nurses. In Nigeria, these pharmacies are often the first point of contact for primary healthcare needs for a significant portion of the population.
“Community pharmacists are crucial in every stage of medical product development and distribution,” Adeyeye said. “Their collaboration with regulatory agencies ensures the safety and efficacy of medications, and their vigilance in reporting adverse effects is vital for public health.”
She stressed the need for a strong partnership between regulatory bodies and community pharmacists to enhance the safety and effectiveness of medications, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve patient education.
Mr. Remi Adeseun, keynote speaker at the conference themed “Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice through Innovation and Collaboration,” highlighted the importance of technology and collaboration in modernizing community pharmacy practices. Adeseun advocated for innovations such as clinical decision support systems, inventory management, and online pharmacy solutions to improve access to medicines and patient care.
The National Chairman of ACPN, Mr. Adewale Oladigbolu, shared recent achievements including a pharmacare center for underserved areas and the Clean Healthcare Initiative, aimed at enhancing the quality of medicines and healthcare services. He also called for better resources for pharmacy schools to combat counterfeit drugs.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by Deputy Barrister Bayo Lawal, encouraged pharmacists to form partnerships and develop solutions to address challenges like limited healthcare access and the prevalence of counterfeit medications.
Mrs. Grace Ikani, Chair of the Central Planning Committee for the ACPN conference, highlighted that innovation and collaboration could significantly improve community pharmacy practices and healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.
The conference featured various activities, including medical outreach programs, the commissioning of a pharmacare center, and training sessions on essential healthcare topics.