– As EIKOT Zone ACPN Marks 30th Anniversary
Eminent pharmacists in the state have expressed deep concerns over the rising invasion of untrained individuals into the drug-selling business in Lagos, a trend they say is disrupting legitimate practice and hampering professional growth.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary and Annual General Meeting of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), EIKOT Zone, held at Rik Event Centre, Igando, Lagos, they urged decisive actions from the government to restore order and safeguard the integrity of pharmacy practice.
While speaking, Pharm. Tolu Ajayi, chairman, ACPN, Lagos State branch, lamented that densely populated areas like EIKOT Zone experience a high prevalence of charlatans, including street hawkers, bus stop drug sellers, and market traders engaging in illegal pharmaceutical practices. He further lamented the presence of herbal medicine traders making unverified claims about their products.
Despite these challenges, Ajayi commended the leadership efforts in the zone, stating that they have successfully mobilised members to improve oversight in the last 30 years. He added that the state had also established monitoring teams, which is gradually improving the practice landscape.
“Our goal is to ensure that pharmacy is seen as a profession dedicated to patient care rather than just a business venture for wealth accumulation. A true community pharmacist prioritises patient health and well-being above all else,” he stressed.
Reacting to the widespread belief that charlatans are financially better off than professional pharmacists, the ACPN boss attributed this perception to weak regulatory enforcement and a lack of public awareness about proper healthcare practices. He noted that many people are unaware of the dangers of self-medication and unregulated drug use, making them easy targets for quacks who prioritise sales over patient safety.
He explained that charlatans appear financially successful because they operate illegally without the costs of compliance, professional training, or ethical obligations.
Meanwhile, professional pharmacists who follow all regulations and ethical standards may struggle financially if they do not strategically position themselves. “It is not just about practising ethically, it is also about understanding business dynamics within the healthcare space,” he explained.
Also speaking, the duo of Pharm. (Mrs) Olayinka Adegoke-Sanusi, and Pharm. Ben Abanum, both of whom are former chairman of the ACPN, EIKOT Zone, noted that weak regulatory enforcement and poor grassroots collaboration as major reasons quackery continues to thrive.
The duo noted further that while NAFDAC and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) are making efforts to curb illegal pharmaceutical practices, their approach remains largely focused on national and state-level interventions.
According to Abanum, “If the fight against charlatans is to be truly effective, regulatory bodies must collaborate more with community pharmacists at the zonal level. The quacks are deeply rooted in local markets and streets; tackling them requires a bottom-up approach,” she said.
Speaking after she was re-elected as the Zonal Chairman, ACPN, EIKOT Zone, Pharm. (Mrs) Rachael Fafore, appreciated all members of the zone for the confidence reposed in her to be re-elected as coordinator while assuring that she won’t let them down.
According to her, EIKOT is a coined name for Egbe, Igando, Ikotun and its environs, adding that the zone which used to be called Ikotun Zone before was splinted into two, with Ejigbo which has large number of pharmacists standing alone and the remaining 3 sub zones coming together to form EIKOT Zone, so as to allow members to practice seamlessly and remain united professionally.
Speaking on the challenges of charlatans in the axis, Fafore noted that the trend is disrupting legitimate practice and hampering professional growth, emphasising that curbing the activities of quacks is essential to protecting public health and sustaining professional pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
In his keynote address with the topic, “Financial Management in Community Pharmacy”, Pharm. Isaac Olufunminiyi, former coordinator, ACPN, IDEA Zone, and financial secretary, ACPN, Lagos, noted that financial management in community pharmacy is important for growth, expansion, and to decide whether to seek for greener pasture or stay in the country and practice.
However, the high point of the programme was the re-election of the new executive members of the zone for the next one year, as they include, Pharm. Rachael Fafore, coordinator; Pharm. Ganiyat Adeyeye, deputy coordinator; Pharm. Patience Timson, secretary; Pharm. Edith Ozor, assistant secretary; Pharm. Oyindamola Omoniyi, financial secretary; Pharm. Emmanuel Nnaedozie, treasurer; Pharm. Halimat Falade, publicity secretary; Pharm. Jacob Oladeji, internal auditor; and Pharm. Benedict Abanum, immediate past zonal coordinator.
