Community pharmacists in Lagos State, under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), have launched a new wave of collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, aimed at strengthening public health and reinforcing trust between the two professions.
As part of the 2025 PSN Lagos Scientific Week, ACPN Lagos Chapter, led by its Chairman, Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi, embarked on advocacy visits to the Assistant Inspector General at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), as well as the Lagos State Police Command.
In addition, health outreaches were simultaneously conducted across 30 police formations, including Area Commands and Divisional Police Commands across the state, on Monday, August 25.
Themed, “Partnership with Nigeria Police Force for Equitable Access to Healthcare towards Universal Health Coverage”, the programme featured free health education and screenings for officers, alongside the distribution of essential medicines, product samples and first aid materials.
In a statement issued and signed by Pharm. Ajayi, ACPN Lagos explained that the initiative underscores the pharmacists’ dual role as healthcare providers and public safety allies. He stressed that community pharmacists are not only committed to protecting public health through safe and rational medication use, but are also positioned to support crime prevention by providing intelligence on drug abuse, misuse and trafficking.
He added that such collaboration would ultimately contribute to improved health outcomes for police officers, greater productivity, and a more secure operating environment for pharmacy practice in the state.
Beyond drug dispensing, community pharmacists provide vital services that safeguard lives on a daily basis. They offer counselling on preventive healthcare, including healthy lifestyles, dietary guidance and vaccination, to preserve long-term wellness.
They protect patients from medication errors and adverse drug reactions, while also helping to monitor treatment outcomes in-between hospital visits through point-of-care checks, medication reviews, adherence support and timely referrals. In addition, they play a central role in the rehabilitation of individuals battling drug addiction, while continuing to provide public health education on disease prevention, environmental hazards and community health promotion.
The ACPN Chairman further highlighted that pharmacy, now a patient-centred doctoral and consultancy profession, has evolved globally into a trusted ally of both healthcare and security institutions. “Together, community pharmacists and the police can create a frontline that fights illegalities, safeguards the public, builds trust, and promotes health and safety,” the statement added.
With the success of the health outreaches across police formations, ACPN Lagos believes the initiative has set the stage for a sustainable partnership that will not only deliver better healthcare outcomes but also strengthen the welfare of police officers, reinforce security, and advance the goal of universal health coverage in Lagos State.
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