World Pharmacists Day: Community Pharmacies Must Be Recognised as Primary Health Centres, ACPN Urges FG

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has made a decisive call to the Federal Government, urging the official designation of community pharmacies across the country as Primary Health Care (PHC) centres.

The plea was the central message delivered by the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, during a press briefing in Abuja to commemorate World Pharmacists Day 2025, which was celebrated globally under the theme: “Think Health, Think Pharmacist.”

Ezeh argued that community pharmacists are the most accessible health professionals, effectively serving as the first point of contact for countless Nigerians seeking health advice. He highlighted that pharmacists are trusted professionals who provide vital services including free consultations, guidance on medication safety, management of chronic conditions, and public health campaigns like health screenings and vaccination drives.

“Pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals who stand at the intersection of medicine expertise, public health, and patient-centred care,” Ezeh stated. He insisted that formal recognition is necessary because community pharmacies are already delivering these crucial services, and their official inclusion in the PHC framework would propel improved quality of life and ease the tremendous burden on existing hospitals.

To ensure their members are prepared for this expanded role, the ACPN also launched a new initiative, “Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation.” This scheme introduces a structured, five-tier career progression model, from Community Pharmacist to Consultant Pharmacist, aimed at standardizing professional development, retaining skilled talent, and guaranteeing high-quality, patient-centered care. The association stressed that utilizing the extensive network of community pharmacies in both urban and rural areas is essential for the government to achieve its goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).