-As Lagos ACPN Holds Continuing Education Programme
Stakeholders and scholars in the pharmaceutical industry, including Prof. Bolajoko Aina, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG); Prof. (Mrs) Cecilia Igwilo, a distinguished professor of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG; Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Pharm. Samuel Adekola, national chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), and others have advised community pharmacists in the country to see the changing healthcare landscape as an opportunity to expand their businesses.
Ohuabunwa and others made their submissions at the recently held Continuing Education Conference organised by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Branch, at NECA House, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Bolajoko Aina, stated that the opportunity is not only meant to expand their businesses, but to also practice at the top of their licences such that they provide quality services, delivering care that is improving the lives of patients, and reducing the overall total cost of care. “So, there is opportunity to make real practice change in Pharmacy, and find new revenue stream beyond dispensing medications,” she said.
Aina, who delivered the paper titled: “Evolving Pharmacy Practice: Tool to Sustenance of Economic Recovery and Growth”, said to survive, community pharmacists must be willing to acknowledge the rapidly occurring changes in healthcare delivery, and accept the reality that the changes will continue, noting that the traditional roles and activities are no longer of much value.
In his goodwill message at the programme, Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, commended the Lagos State ACPN for choosing the theme, “Evolving Pharmacy Practice: Tool to Sustenance of Economic Recovery and Growth”, saying it was apt and in consonance with the vision of his administration for Pharmacy.
Also, the duo of Registrar, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, (PCN), Pharm. N.A.E Mohammed and national chairman, ACPN, Pharm. Samuel Adekola, maintained that the Continuous Education Conference programme organized annually by Lagos ACPN has been consistent over the years because of the importance that the association places on knowledge and effective service delivery.
In an earlier address, Chairman of ACPN Lagos, Pharm. Olabanji Benedict Obideyi, said the continuing education conference was designed to ensure members of the association were not left out in the scheme of things even as the world keeps developing every day.
He also noted that the theme for the conference, was timely, considering the wave of disruption being advocated for in pharmaceutical practice, which community pharmacy is considered majorly affected.
He said the practice of some of his members have crashed due to plethora of factors such as, harsh business environment, over taxation, lack of basic infrastructures, security challenge, over regulation, unhealthy competition among health workers, corruption, financial problem, and dearth of trained pharmacy workforce, among others.
; Prof. (Mrs) Cecilia Igwilo, a distinguished professor of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG; Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, president){kind=link}