Community pharmacists in Lagos State have been urged to embrace artificial intelligence, strengthen collaboration, and remain committed to continuous learning to stay relevant in the rapidly evolving healthcare and pharmaceutical environment.
The call was made on the second day of the 2026 Continuing Education Conference (CEC) of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State branch, held at the 10 Degrees Events Centre, Oregun, Lagos, as participants continued discussions on the theme, “Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice through Technology, Collaboration and Expanded Services.”
Chairman of the day, Pharm. Seye Agboola, chief executive officer of Dortemag Ventures, said the growing influence of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, has made it necessary for community pharmacists to deliberately upgrade their knowledge and adapt to modern trends in healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical business.
According to him, digital innovation has become central to everyday operations, and pharmacists who fail to embrace technology risk becoming irrelevant in the near future.
“When you talk about technology today, artificial intelligence cannot be overstated. Everything is now technology-driven, and if community pharmacists refuse to embrace it, they will be left behind,” he said.
Agboola advised pharmacists to devote time to learning digital tools and understanding how artificial intelligence can be applied in their businesses to improve efficiency, service delivery, and patient care.
He also emphasised the importance of collaboration among pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, noting that collective effort would lead to better professional growth and improved healthcare outcomes.
“When you want to move fast, you work alone, but when you want to go far, you work together. When we pool our resources and workforce together, we can achieve better business growth and also serve our patients better,” he added.
He further stressed the need for continuous professional education, explaining that the increasing number of pharmaceutical products and constant changes in the healthcare space require pharmacists to keep updating their knowledge.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline Chairman of ACPN Lagos State, Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi described the Continuing Education Conference as the flagship programme of the association aimed at improving the competence of community pharmacists and enhancing the quality of healthcare services delivered to the public.
He said the conference provides a platform for pharmacists to learn new skills, interact with other healthcare stakeholders, and explore ways of improving healthcare delivery in the country.
Speaking on the role of community pharmacists, he noted that pharmacy practice has gone beyond dispensing medicines, as pharmacists are now involved in counselling, consultation, immunisation, and other patient-centred services.
He added that community pharmacies must be properly integrated into the primary healthcare system through effective referral and feedback mechanisms between hospitals and pharmacies to ensure continuity of care.
Ajayi also stressed that technology remains a major tool in modern healthcare, noting that digital systems, data management, and artificial intelligence are now essential for efficient pharmacy practice.
“The world has gone digital, and healthcare cannot be an exception. Technology helps us solve problems faster, improve efficiency, and make better decisions. If we want the future to be better, we must prepare ourselves through innovation and continuous learning,” he said.
Highlights of the second day included Masterclass sessions three, four, and five, delivered by professionals and experts from different healthcare fields, focusing on technology adoption, business sustainability, and expanded pharmaceutical services.
Another major highlight was the ACPN Lagos engagement session with regulators, which featured representatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and a panel discussion where participants discussed regulatory issues, professional practice, and the need for stronger collaboration within the healthcare sector.
