ACPN renews call for greater role for community pharmacists in NHIA, primary healthcare

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to fully integrate community pharmacists into the implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the country’s primary healthcare system, saying the move would improve access to quality healthcare and accelerate the attainment of universal health coverage.

The association made the call during a press briefing in Lagos, where it highlighted the critical role of community pharmacists in healthcare delivery and advocated policies that would enable them to contribute more effectively to healthcare financing and primary healthcare services across the country.

Speaking at the briefing, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, emphasised that community pharmacists, being the most accessible healthcare professionals in Nigeria, should occupy a more strategic position in healthcare financing and service delivery.

According to him, although the Federal Government has made significant efforts to expand health insurance coverage through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), integrating community pharmacists more effectively into the scheme would improve access to essential healthcare services, particularly at the grassroots where community pharmacies remain the first point of contact for many Nigerians.

He disclosed that an estimated 70 per cent of Nigerians seeking healthcare first visit community pharmacies before presenting at hospitals, a development he said demonstrates the indispensable role community pharmacists already play in improving access to medicines, pharmaceutical care and other essential health services.

While reaffirming ACPN’s support for broader collaboration with the NHIA, Igwekamma advocated a reimbursement model that guarantees fairness and equity for all healthcare providers in line with the provisions of the NHIA Act. He argued that an equitable reimbursement system would encourage greater participation by community pharmacists in health insurance programmes while ensuring sustainability in service delivery.

The ACPN national chairman also reiterated the association’s commitment to promoting professionalism among its members through Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD), research, innovation and capacity-building initiatives designed to equip community pharmacists with the knowledge and skills required to meet evolving healthcare needs.

He observed that pharmacy practice has moved beyond the traditional role of dispensing medicines, with community pharmacists now playing increasingly important roles in disease prevention, medication therapy management, patient counselling, public health education and other preventive healthcare interventions.

According to him, strengthening community pharmacy practice is essential to improving access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities where community pharmacies often serve as the most readily available healthcare facilities.

Igwekamma further stressed the need for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals, regulators, policymakers and development partners to build a more resilient healthcare system capable of responding effectively to the country’s growing healthcare needs.

He noted that such collaboration would also strengthen medicine supply chains, promote technology-driven pharmacy practice, encourage innovation and enhance the overall quality of pharmaceutical care available to Nigerians.

As part of its broader commitment to public health, ACPN also reaffirmed its support for preventive healthcare initiatives, including health education, disease screening, vaccination advocacy and community-based interventions aimed at reducing the burden of preventable diseases across the country.

The association maintained that community pharmacists remain uniquely positioned to complement government efforts in expanding access to healthcare because of their widespread presence in both urban and rural communities.

ACPN reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, the National Health Insurance Authority, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other stakeholders to strengthen community pharmacy practice and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.

The association maintained that giving community pharmacists greater responsibility within the NHIA and the primary healthcare system would not only improve access to pharmaceutical care but also support the Federal Government’s drive towards universal health coverage by bringing quality healthcare services closer to the people.