World Pharmacists Day: ACPN urges FG to recognise pharmacies as PHCs

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the Federal Government to officially designate community pharmacies across the country as Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres.

The National Chairman of ACPN, Mr Ambrose Ezeh, made the call on Thursday in Abuja in a statement commemorating the 2025 World Pharmacists Day.

The global event, observed annually on Sept. 25, has the theme “Think Health, Think Pharmacist” for 2025, underscoring the critical role pharmacists play in healthcare delivery.

Ezeh stated that pharmacists, as trusted healthcare professionals, offered a range of services including medication expertise, health advice, disease management support, and public health advocacy.

“Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients, making them essential in the healthcare system.
“Their accessibility and willingness to provide free consultations enable them to counsel patients on medication safety, potential side effects, drug interactions, and adherence strategies,” he said.

He highlighted the contributions of community pharmacists to public health, noting their active involvement in vaccination programmes, health screenings, and other preventive health initiatives.

According to him, pharmacists also engage in disease prevention and control, policy development, health education, as well as telepharmacy and digital health services to reach patients in remote areas.

“They work closely with other healthcare providers to create integrated care plans that improve patient outcomes and address healthcare disparities,” he added.

The ACPN Chairman emphasised the importance of value-based care, which he said empowered pharmacists to provide personalised care plans that optimised medication management.

He also noted that the evolving healthcare landscape offered numerous opportunities for pharmacists in areas such as advocacy, research, training, and participation in global health initiatives.

As part of activities marking the day, Ezeh announced the launch of the “Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration, and Health Transformation” initiative by the ACPN.

The initiative, he said, aimed to standardise career progression ratings for community pharmacists both nationally and globally.

“It is designed to create structured pathways for professional development, talent retention, and quality assurance in patient services.

He also unveiled a new career advancement scheme for community pharmacy practice, with five progression bands:

The progression bands, he said included community Pharmacist, senior community pharmacist, community pharmacist specialist, community pharmacist senior specialist and community pharmacist consultant.

“The benefits of this initiative will lead to improved health outcomes for the populace,” Ezeh said, adding that the ACPN remained committed to driving positive change and professional satisfaction within the practice.

He urged pharmacists to use the 2025 World Pharmacists Day as a platform to showcase their collective impact on the health system while continuing to advocate for the official recognition of community pharmacies as part of Nigeria’s primary healthcare framework.

Our correspondent reports that World Pharmacists Day was established by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in 2009 to highlight the role of pharmacists in improving global health.

Countries around the world observe the day to celebrate achievements in the profession and raise awareness of pharmacists’ contributions to health systems.