…As ACPN Ikeja Zone Holds 2nd Business Summit
Community pharmacists in Lagos have been urged to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their daily practice to enhance efficiency and profitability. This call was made at the 2nd edition of the Business Summit organised by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Ikeja Zone, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ikeja, recently.
With the theme “Redefining Community Pharmacy: Leveraging Documentation, AI, and Emerging Trends for Impactful Practice,” Pharm. Timeyin Ogungbe, popularly known as ‘Aunty Pharmacist,’ who was the keynote speaker, emphasised the need for pharmacists to adapt to AI-driven solutions.
Ogungbe underscored that AI’s potential goes beyond routine operations, presenting an opportunity to “mine the wealth” hidden within the daily documentation pharmacists generate often overlooked.
According to her, data gathered from pharmacies can be transformed into valuable customer insights, which, when analyzed using AI, can guide business decisions, streamline operations, and ultimately increase revenue.
A certified expert in social media management, digital marketing, graphic design, and copywriting, Pharm. Ogungbe stressed the importance of digitalizing pharmacy data. She noted that AI tools could convert traditional documentation into actionable business insights, helping pharmacists tailor their operations to meet customer needs.
“Without AI, pharmacies risk falling behind,” she cautioned. “AI allows businesses to perform tasks faster and more efficiently, turning what used to take an entire day into something done in just one hour.”
She further emphasised AI’s speed and efficiency by sharing a personal experience: “With AI, I prepared a presentation that would typically take an entire day in just one hour.” This speed, she added, gives businesses a significant competitive edge.
A Goldman Sachs Scholar, Pharm. Ogungbe encouraged pharmacists to view AI not as a replacement but as an assistive tool. She advocates for a balance where AI handles the bulk of repetitive tasks, allowing pharmacists to focus on maintaining their unique personal touch in customer service and business operations. “AI should do 70 percent of the work, and the human touch will complete the remaining 30 percent,” she concluded.
In a similar vein, Pharm. Mrs. Abiola Paul-Ozieh, chairman of the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Lagos, and former Chairman of ACPN Lagos State Chapter, highlighted the importance of continuous learning and capacity building for community pharmacists.
“This summit is crucial because it provides a platform for community pharmacists to learn and grow together,” Pharm. Paul-Ozieh explained. “We cannot stay in our premises and think we know everything. It’s forums like these that help us stay updated and share experiences.” She stressed the importance of staying ahead in an ever-evolving field.
“You must be ahead,” she asserted. “Today’s customers, especially the younger generation, may have already Googled their symptoms before coming to the pharmacy. If we are to remain relevant, we must embrace AI tools and other technological advancements. These tools will not only improve our service but ultimately attract more business.”
Delivering the second lecture on “Financial Planning for Financial Freedom,” Mr. Temitope Afolabi, head of Retail Sales at Chapel Hill Denham, emphasized that the basic steps to financial planning include identifying goals, reviewing financial status, developing a financial plan, implementing strategy, and monitoring progress.
Earlier, Pharm. Imade Roy-Ekekwe, zonal coordinator of ACPN Ikeja Zone, praised the summit for its timeliness and relevance. She noted that the topic was not only apt but also timely, as community pharmacists in the zone are expected to grow alongside emerging trends.
Roy-Ekekwe added that this year’s theme, focused on artificial intelligence (AI), was a response to the growing global adoption of AI in businesses. “AI is transforming industries around the world, and we believe it’s crucial for community pharmacies to embrace these technologies to stay competitive,” she said.
“Our goal is to explore how AI tools can improve productivity, streamline documentation, and ultimately convert these efficiencies into increased revenue,” Pharm. Ekekwe explained. “That’s why the theme for this year’s summit is ‘Redefining Community Pharmacy: Leveraging Documentation, AI, and Emerging Trends for Impactful Practice.’”
Addressing the persistent challenge of unqualified individuals operating in the pharmaceutical space, Pharm. Ekekwe acknowledged the issue but stressed the wide gap between trained professionals and charlatans. “The difference between us and those who practice without training is clear,” she said.
“Pharmacists focus on providing quality care based on knowledge and training. Our goal is always to serve the community, ensuring their health and well-being.”
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