The leadership of the Plateau State Chapter of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has successfully held its maiden conference with the theme: Professionalism and business survival in a challenging economy. The event, which took place from 17 to 19 April, 2024 was borne out of the dream and visionary leadership of Pharm. Akin Akinnibosun, chairman, Plateau State ACPN, who has promised to elevate community pharmacy practice and by extension, pharmacy practice to its rightful position in the state.
In a statement made available to pharmanewsonline and signed by John Jesse Echenim, conference protocol officer, “The first day, which was the 17 April, witnessed two events organised by community pharmacists in Plateau State. The first was a health walk in collaboration with the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). It was a walk against drug abuse on Bukuru Express Way. There were over two hundred participants in that event which ended with a campaign against drug abuse.”
The release reads further: “The second event on the first day of the conference was a medical outreach, in collaboration with the gracious Commissioner of Transportation of Plateau State, Hon. Jatau Davou Gyang. Approximately 500 people received pharmaceutical care from the community pharmacists on the Plateau. It was a showcase of the importance of community pharmacists to a community. Children, in addition to receiving anthelmintics, also received writing materials.”
On the second day, there was an opening ceremony at Eliel Event Centre, Rayfield, Jos. The ceremony was declared opened by Arch. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, FNIA, and secretary to the government of the state, while the duo of Pharm. Akinnibosun, and Dr Iyeseun Asieba, chairman of the planning committee, welcomed all guests and participants warmly to the conference. The special guest of honour was Dr Shuruk Cletus Bako, commissioner of health, Plateau State.
The Keynote address speaker for the opening ceremony, was Pharm. (Sir) Bankole Ezebuilo, MD/CEO Kayhelt Pharma, who gave an insightful and memorable speech where he brought to the fore the need for pharmacists to remain professional while employing business survival techniques to navigate the challenges of the time.
In his speech at the conference, the Executive Secretary of the Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (DMCMA), Pharm. Kim Jerry Bot, highlighted the importance of community pharmacists to Plateau State. He also brought into the open the dream of the state ACPN to improve drug distribution in the state.
The dream of a drug distribution centre was shared with the attendees who were over two hundred. Some dignitaries and members, moved by the potential of the association’s dream, made donations.
The programme also witnessed the presence of the ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Adewale Oladigbolu, who highlighted the importance of such scientific sessions in the practice of community pharmacists. There was also a public health interaction led by APIN Public Health Initiatives and Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA).
Also in attendance at the conference were the Plateau State Office Coordinator of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Uche Winnie Okoye, and the Director of NAFDAC, North Central Zone, Pharm. (Alhaji) Shaba Mohammed, who participated in an interactive session on the importance and intricacies of regulation in the profession.
The conference had a business clinic spearheaded by the MD/CEO of Lamed Pharmacy Limited, Pharm. John Kayode Falana, where community pharmacists brought up ideas on how to tackle the challenges that are prevalent to their practice, with problems stated and solutions were proffered.
The successful conference was concluded with an exciting dinner and awards ceremony. Awards were given to distinguished individuals who had made strides to move the community pharmacy practice forward. The awardees include the Executive Secretary of the DMCMA, Pharm. Kim Jerry Bot, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, the current Director of the NDLEA Plateau State, and many others.
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