Ayuba, Ahmed, Ezeh Task Kwara Pharmacists on Business Skills

–As Kwara ACPN Hosts 2025 Business Summit

Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sub-sector, including Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed, registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN); and Pharm. Ambrose Igwekanma Ezeh, national chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), have urged community pharmacists in Kwara State to sharpen their business acumen for sustainable growth.

Speaking at the 2025 Business Summit organised by the ACPN Kwara State Chapter at De Peace Hotel, Ilorin, Kwara State, the experts emphasised the need for innovative strategies, sound financial management, and customer-centric approaches to improve service delivery and profitability.

The summit, which is the second edition, the first held in 2020 under the leadership of Pharm. Juwon Otelaja, provided a platform for pharmacists to discuss emerging trends, regulatory updates, and best practices essential for business success in the evolving healthcare landscape.

In his address, PSN President and Distinguished Guest of Honour, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, underscored the need for community pharmacists to integrate business acumen with ethical practice.

“This summit is designed to add value to the services provided by community pharmacists. Beyond professional competence, business skills are essential for sustainability and growth, ensuring that pharmacists are better positioned to improve service delivery and optimise their operations,” he stated.

Ayuba reiterated that community pharmacists serve as the face of pharmacy in Nigeria, as they are often the first point of contact for patients, making their role pivotal in shaping public trust and healthcare outcomes.

Representing the PCN Registrar, the Kwara State Officer, Pharm. Felicia Akande, reaffirmed PCN’s commitment to collaborating with ACPN and pharmacists to advance pharmacy practice in Kwara State and nationwide.

“PCN remains dedicated to addressing pharmacists’ concerns and supporting initiatives that strengthen the profession. We trust that this summit will drive meaningful progress, equipping community pharmacists with the knowledge and strategies needed to enhance their businesses and professional impact,” she stated.

In his remarks, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, stressed the need for pharmacists to sharpen their business acumen alongside their professional expertise.
“Community pharmacy has two fundamental pillars: healthcare service delivery and business sustainability. While patient care remains our primary focus, sound business strategies are equally critical for sustaining the profession. Without financial stability, even the best healthcare services cannot be maintained,” he said.

“Access to financing remains a major challenge, but our cooperative society offers a vital avenue for funding business growth. Pharmacists who have yet to take advantage of this are missing a crucial opportunity,” he added.
The ACPN chairman also urged pharmacists to see business knowledge as integral to professional success.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharm. Barakat Olanrewaju, acknowledged the evolving role of community pharmacists in national development.

“Universal health coverage cannot be achieved without easy access to essential medicines, commodities, and medical devices—areas where community pharmacists play a crucial role. The profession is evolving, and pharmacists must position themselves strategically to meet emerging healthcare needs,” she stated.

Speaking earlier, Chairman, ACPN Kwara State, Pharm. Munirat Kikelomo Bello, highlighted the importance of business knowledge in community pharmacy practice. She noted that while pharmacists excel in technical expertise, many lack adequate financial and managerial skills, which has allowed non-professionals to dominate the pharmaceutical business space.

“To effectively give back to society and add value to our patients, we must prioritise the business aspect of our practice. Without proper knowledge of inventory management and cash flow, sustaining pharmacy practice becomes challenging,” Bello stated.

She also noted that the inaugural Business Summit in 2020, held under the leadership of Pharm. Adejuwon Otelaja, had a significant impact on pharmacy business operations in the state.

In their keynote addresses, Pharm. Anthony Bola Oyawole, a renowned community pharmacist, and Mr Jimoh Abdulfatah, a chartered accountant, stressed the importance of regulatory compliance and financial best practices.

Speaking on “Community Pharmacy Regulation,” Oyawole urged pharmacists to adhere strictly to regulatory guidelines to ensure sustainability and ethical business operations. Abdulfatah, addressing “Accounting Framework, Tax Matters, and the Annual Filing Principle in Wholesale and Retail Pharmacy,” provided insights into financial strategies for improving pharmacy business management.

A major highlight of the summit was the commemoration of the World Cancer Day Campaign, organised in collaboration with the LEAH Foundation. The initiative featured free breast and cervical cancer screenings for women, aimed at raising awareness, encouraging early detection, and improving health outcomes for women in Kwara State.

Other personalities at the event include, Pharm. (Prof) Phillip Olurinola, father of the day; Pharm. Abdulmalik Muhammad Baba, PSN chairman, Kwara State; Pharm. (Chief) Rahmon Bioku, chairman, PSN Board of Fellows, Kwara State; Pharm. Mariam Onilu, representative of NAFDAC State Officer; Pharm. Ropo Ogunwale, chairman, ACPN, Osun State; Pharm. Omokhafe Ashore, national secretary, ACPN; Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye, national vice-chairman chairman, ACPN; Pharm. Anthony Bola Oyawole, keynote speaker; Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola, former chairman, PSN, Lagos State; Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, past chairman, Lagos PSN; Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, chairman, PSN, Lagos State; Pharm. Lanre Familusi, former chairman, PSN Lagos; Pharm. Adebayo Gbadamosi, chairman, ACPN, Oyo State; Pharm. Ronke Esho, chairperson, ALPS, Kwara State; and Pharm. Abiodun Ajibade.