ACPN seeks greater integration into NHIA, pry healthcare system

-As Unity 2026 Int’l Conference holds in Abuja

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the integration of community pharmacists into the implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the country’s primary healthcare system to improve access to quality healthcare and advance universal health coverage.

The association made the call at a press briefing in Lagos ahead of its 45th Annual International Scientific Conference scheduled to hold from 27 July to 1 August, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Speaking during the briefing, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, said community pharmacists remain the most accessible healthcare professionals and should be fully integrated into healthcare financing and service delivery initiatives.

He noted that although the Federal Government had demonstrated commitment to expanding health insurance coverage, greater involvement of community pharmacists would significantly improve access to healthcare, especially at the grassroots.

According to him, about 70 per cent of Nigerians seeking healthcare first visit community pharmacies before presenting at hospitals, underscoring the critical role community pharmacists play in expanding access to quality healthcare and achieving universal health coverage.

The number one community pharmacist in the country explained that ACPN supports broader collaboration with the NHIA but advocated a reimbursement model that ensures equity among healthcare providers and aligns with the provisions of the NHIA Act.

The conference, themed “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems,” with the slogan “Unity 2026,” is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, development partners, researchers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and community pharmacists from within and outside Nigeria.

According to him, the meeting will explore strategies for positioning Nigerian community pharmacy practice to contribute meaningfully to global health through innovation, digital transformation, research, advocacy and policy engagement.

He said the conference would also focus on strengthening leadership capacity, promoting healthcare policies that improve access to quality pharmaceutical care, enhancing collaboration among stakeholders, building medicine supply chain resilience and encouraging technology-driven pharmacy practice.

Responding to questions from journalists, the ACPN National Chairman said the association remained committed to promoting professionalism among its members through continuous education, Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programmes, research, innovation and capacity-building initiatives.

He noted that pharmacy practice had evolved beyond product-focused dispensing to patient-centred pharmaceutical care, where pharmacists play more active roles in disease prevention, medication management and public health interventions.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Pharm. Chidi Dozie, assured delegates and stakeholders that adequate arrangements had been made to deliver a successful conference. He said the planning committee had constituted various sub-committees covering logistics, security, protocol, hospitality, exhibitions and other critical areas, while lessons learnt from previous conferences had been incorporated into this year’s planning.

According to him, the conference will feature indoor exhibitions designed to meet international standards, while participants can expect improved organisation, quality scientific sessions and enhanced networking opportunities.

Dozie disclosed that several high-ranking government officials, policymakers, healthcare regulators and development partners had confirmed participation in the conference. They include President of the Senate, Sen. Dr Godswill Akpabio, GCON, as Special Guest of Honour; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, GCON, also as Special Guest of Honour; Executive Governor of Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, who will chair the conference; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON; and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, both as special guests of honour.

Also expected are the Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, and the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, as guests of honour. The keynote address will be delivered by Pharm. Adewale Oyenuga, managing director/chief executive officer of Evans Therapeutics Ltd., while the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba,  will serve as the chief host.

The organisers also announced plans for community health outreach programmes, including free health screening, hepatitis awareness campaigns and vaccination for residents of the Federal Capital Territory as part of ACPN’s commitment to preventive healthcare.

The press briefing was attended by members of the ACPN National Executive Council, the Conference Planning Committee and other officials of the association, including Pharm. (Mrs) Ashore Omokhafe, national secretary; Pharm. Obiageri Ikwu, national financial secretary; Pharm. Isaac Olufunminiyi, vice-chairman, Conference Planning Committee (CPC); Pharm. Nwamaka Ezedinma, CPC secretary; and Pharm. Lawrence Ekhator, immediate past CPC chairman.