Professor Lere Baale, chief executive of the Netherlands Business School, Lagos, has stressed that reforming and optimising Nigeria’s drug distribution system remains a strategic imperative for the sustainability and future growth of community pharmacists in the country.
Speaking during Plenary Session at the recent 45th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, Anambra State, Baale emphasised that the current fragmentation and inefficiencies in the supply chain system present both a challenge and a business opportunity for pharmacists willing to adapt, innovate, and lead in the sector.
Speaking on the theme “Optimising the Nigerian Drug Distribution System: A Strategic Opportunity for Community Pharmacists’ Sustainability and Growth,” the respected health systems strategist urged pharmacists to take ownership of their space in the healthcare delivery value chain. He described drug distribution as the bloodstream of the pharmaceutical sector and advocated for a shift from outdated models to agile, tech-enabled, and ethically managed systems.
According to Baale, a restructured and transparent distribution system will ensure the availability of safe, affordable, and quality medicines while simultaneously helping to eliminate the threats posed by fake and substandard products. He said it was unacceptable that Nigeria continues to lose billions to chaotic drug circulation systems, while patients suffer the consequences of poor access to reliable pharmaceutical care.
He lamented the existence of multiple parallel supply channels, porous regulatory enforcement, and inadequate investment in pharmaceutical logistics infrastructure, which he said undermine the credibility of the profession and limit pharmacists’ potential as primary healthcare providers.
To address the systemic flaws, Baale recommended a shift towards collaborative networks, data-driven inventory systems, stronger partnerships with tech startups, and investment in pharmaceutical logistics hubs. He called on stakeholders, including government, regulatory agencies, and academia, to work together in creating a robust national drug distribution framework that is secure, efficient, and inclusive of community pharmacists.
He further emphasised the importance of mindset transformation, urging community pharmacists to adopt a business leadership posture and digital fluency to thrive in the new dispensation. He warned that without bold reforms, community pharmacy practice could face further marginalisation in the country’s fast-evolving healthcare landscape.
Baale also challenged pharmacy leaders and educators to embed strategic thinking, entrepreneurship, and systems innovation into pharmacy training curricula. He argued that pharmacy graduates must be equipped not just with clinical knowledge but with tools for navigating the complexities of pharmaceutical supply chains and health economics.
The renowned consultant also lauded the efforts of the ACPN for sustaining conversations around sustainability and innovation in pharmacy practice. He urged the association to lead from the front in advocating for reforms that strengthen the value proposition of community pharmacists in Nigeria’s quest for universal health coverage.
The conference, which drew hundreds of delegates from across the country, provided a platform for discussing emerging issues in pharmaceutical practice, with a strong focus on technology integration, policy reform, and patient-centred care.
At the end of the session which drew applause from participants and sparked robust engagement on the future of pharmacy logistics and policy, Pharm. Uche Apakama, chairman, Board of Fellows, noted that stakeholders with bold leadership, strategic investment, and collaboration, Nigeria’s drug distribution system can evolve into a transparent, efficient, and inclusive engine for public health and economic development.
Other members of the Panel include Pharm. Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, managing director, New Height Pharma; Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, managing director, Golby Pharmacy, and Pharm. (Hon) Obinna Emenaka, managing director, Rite Health Pharmacy.
