-As ACPN Holds 2026 Continuing Education Conference
Community pharmacists in Lagos State have been urged to embrace digital innovation, strengthen collaboration, and expand professional services to remain competitive and relevant in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving healthcare system.
The call was made at 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. The conference brought together pharmacists, regulators, and key stakeholders to discuss the future of community pharmacy practice and the need to adapt to emerging realities in healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the event with the theme “Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice through Technology, Collaboration and Expanded Services”, Chairman of the occasion, Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, chief executive officer of Alpha Pharmacy, urged community pharmacists to adopt technology in a gradual but deliberate manner, stressing that digital transformation is no longer optional in modern pharmacy practice.
He noted that proper documentation, digital record keeping, and efficient inventory management would not only improve service delivery but also strengthen the credibility of community pharmacies.
“Pharmacists who maintain accurate and verifiable records are better positioned to access funding opportunities, collaborate with other healthcare providers, and clearly demonstrate the value of their services within the healthcare system,” Onyechi said.
He further emphasised the importance of sourcing medicines strictly from approved and regulated channels, describing it as a critical step toward reducing the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines in the country.
Delivering the keynote address, Njide Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess Nigeria and President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, described community pharmacists as a vital but often under-recognised pillar of Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that pharmacies are usually the first point of contact for many patients.
She encouraged pharmacists to integrate digital tools into their daily operations and to work more closely with other healthcare professionals, regulators, and institutions to improve patient outcomes.
“No single sector can solve healthcare challenges alone. Collaboration is essential if we want a stronger and more efficient health system,” Ndili said.
She added that as artificial intelligence and digital health solutions continue to reshape global healthcare, Nigeria must prioritise reliable local data generation through proper documentation, electronic records, and digitisation of healthcare processes.
In his welcome address, ACPN Lagos State Chairman, Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi, said the conference came at a critical time when healthcare delivery is increasingly driven by innovation, data management, and shared services.
He urged community pharmacists to deliberately scale up their practice through collaboration, adoption of technology, and expansion of pharmaceutical care services, while also taking advantage of professional development programmes and certifications to strengthen competence in clinical and public health roles.
Ajayi commended members of the association, partners, and the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, led by Pharm. (Dr) Evelyn Brambifa, for their commitment and hard work in organising the conference, noting that continuous education remains essential for pharmacists who intend to stay relevant in a fast-changing professional environment.
The highlight of the conference was the Masterclass sessions, during which participants agreed that the future of community pharmacy in Nigeria will largely depend on practitioners’ willingness to embrace modern technology, collaborate across professional boundaries, and position community pharmacies as key contributors to accessible, safe, and quality healthcare delivery.
