The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, has decried rising unethical practices in the pharmaceutical sector, warning against licence trading, improper dispensing of medicines and the growing incidence of “register and go” operations in community pharmacy practice.
Ezeh, who spoke at the Oyo State ACPN 2026 Annual Summit, held at Mauve 21 Event Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State, said ethics remains the foundation of pharmacy practice and must be strictly upheld by all professionals, stressing that regulatory compliance and professional discipline are non-negotiable in safeguarding public health.
He warned that the proliferation of unregulated drug outlets and unqualified operators undermines the credibility of the profession, noting that many facilities operate on a “register and go” basis where licensed pharmacists are absent, leaving non-professionals to run pharmacy operations.
According to him, such practices constitute a serious breach of professional standards and expose patients to avoidable risks, especially in the handling and dispensing of prescription and controlled medicines.
Ezeh also condemned what he described as licensed lending or trading, where pharmacists allow their credentials to be used by others to operate pharmacies or medical outlets, describing the practice as unethical and dangerous to the integrity of the profession.
He further warned against improper dispensing of medicines and irrational antibiotic use, noting that such practices contribute to antimicrobial resistance, a growing global public health threat.
The ACPN national chairman stressed that pharmacists must ensure strict adherence to dispensing guidelines, proper counselling of patients and responsible handling of medicines, particularly antibiotics and controlled drugs.
He also highlighted the expanded role of community pharmacists beyond dispensing, including immunisation services, blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, hepatitis screening and participation in public health emergency response.
Ezeh reiterated that ethical pharmacy practice requires valid licensing, strict compliance with regulatory standards and proper facility management, including secure storage of controlled drugs under lock and key.
He urged members of the public to patronise only registered community pharmacies identifiable through approved regulatory emblems, which confirm legitimate practice under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
The ACPN chairman maintained that stronger enforcement and collaboration between regulators and practitioners are necessary to eliminate unethical practices and restore public trust in the profession.
He reaffirmed that ethical compliance remains central to protecting patients and strengthening the pharmaceutical care system in Nigeria.
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