In fulfilment of his pledge to the members, the leadership of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), under the national chairman, Pharm. Samuel Adekola, at the ongoing 38th Annual National Scientific Conference of the association, has begun the much anticipated Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme, aimed at keeping pharmacists abreast of current trends in Pharmacy practice.
In his speech at the programme, which was the maiden edition, the ACPN national leader disclosed that his administration has secured the best deal for members nationwide, through the registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. NAE Mohammed, who has magnanimously approved a full module of MCPD during the conference, thereby making Kano conference, an historical one.
According to him, the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) is designed to update the knowledge of pharmacists, and enable them keep abreast of advancements in pharmaceutical development and modern trends in Pharmacy, saying it would boost their capacity in the provision of pharmaceutical care to patients.
He said the commencement of the programme, is the fulfilment of his dream to deliver a national conference that would be at par with conferences of international standard, through the organisation of a stress-free registration; highly conducive exhibition stands; highly innovative and educative programmes; awards, leisure and side attractions; hospitality and fun at its peak, as well as befitting accommodation. Also, the maiden edition of the ACPN Faculty running Continuing MCPD, will afford every participant a minimum of 10 points unit.
Also speaking at the programme, the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. NAE Mohammed, who was represented by Pharm. (Mrs) Emily Olalere, director, Pharmacy Practice, PCN, said the leadership of ACPN approached the registrar with their proposal and he gladly approved, noting that it was imperative because MCPD was designed to update the knowledge of pharmacists, and enable them keep abreast of advancements in pharmaceutical development and modern trends in Pharmacy practice.
Speaking further, the registrar said the introduction of the MCPD will satisfy the desire of community pharmacists in continuing education courses, which have direct bearing on their day-to-day practice.
“The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria is a public corporation created by the Federal government in 1992, with the sole authority for registering, monitoring, regulating and controlling all aspects of Pharmacy practice in Nigeria, including the education and training of pharmacists and pharmacy-related personnel”, Mohammed said.
While speaking at the programme, Pharm. Lere Baale, one of the Faculty Lecturers, noted that the MCPD was meant to transform pharmacists in Nigeria from mere career professionals into intellectual practitioners with strong critical thinking skills, adding that learning is continuous and never end.
According to Baale, the programme was designed to update the knowledge of pharmacists by equipping them to keep abreast of development in pharmaceutical service delivery and current international trends and practice in Pharmacy, adding that all registered pharmacists in Nigeria must undergo all aspects of the programme, as a requirement by the PCN.
