Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to formally recognise community pharmacies across the country as primary healthcare centres without further delay, arguing that their widespread presence and frontline role make them indispensable assets in achieving universal health coverage. The call was made by the ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ambrose Ezeh, in a statement issued on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, in which he urged the government to fully integrate pharmacists into grassroots healthcare and rural development initiatives.
Ezeh stressed that community pharmacies, due to their accessibility and strategic location at the community level, are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and rural areas where access to formal healthcare facilities remains limited. He argued that formal recognition of community pharmacies as primary healthcare centres would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery, improve health outcomes, and expand access to essential medical services for millions of Nigerians. "The presence of pharmacies at the community level makes them critical assets in achieving universal health coverage in the country," Ezeh said. "I also reiterate the association's advocacy for the formal recognition of community pharmacies as Primary Healthcare Centres."
The ACPN chairman noted that pharmacists remain among the most accessible healthcare professionals in Nigeria, with many communities relying on them as the first point of contact for health advice and treatment. He argued that empowering community pharmacists to play a more active role in primary healthcare would not only decongest overburdened hospitals but also contribute significantly to the government's efforts to achieve universal health coverage. Ezeh also called on the Federal Government to fully integrate pharmacists into grassroots healthcare and rural development programmes, stressing that such a move would improve health outcomes and strengthen the nation's healthcare system.
The call comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with significant challenges in its healthcare delivery system, including inadequate funding, shortage of healthcare professionals, and limited access to quality care in rural and underserved communities. The World Health Organization has long advocated for the integration of community pharmacies into primary healthcare systems, recognising their potential to improve access to essential medicines, provide preventive care, and reduce the burden on hospitals. In Nigeria, community pharmacies have played a critical role in the fight against infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, as well as in the management of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
The ACPN's demand also aligns with broader efforts by stakeholders in Nigeria's health sector to reposition community pharmacies as key centres for primary healthcare delivery. In March 2026, a professional development framework aimed at transforming community pharmacies into healthcare hubs received broad endorsement from stakeholders in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. The framework, which was developed following an epoch-making meeting in Lagos, focused on improving community pharmacy practice and positioning pharmacies as integral components of Nigeria's primary healthcare system. The ACPN has been at the forefront of this advocacy, consistently pushing for policies that recognise the critical role of pharmacists in the nation's health delivery system.
While the Federal Government has yet to formally respond to the ACPN's latest appeal, the association's call has resonated with many Nigerians who see community pharmacies as a vital but often overlooked component of the healthcare system. Health policy experts have also weighed in, noting that integrating community pharmacies into primary healthcare would require a comprehensive regulatory framework, including the establishment of standards, training requirements, and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure that pharmacies meet the necessary criteria to function as primary healthcare centres. However, supporters of the proposal argue that the benefits far outweigh the challenges, pointing to successful models in other countries where community pharmacies have been integrated into primary healthcare systems.
The ACPN's advocacy for the recognition of community pharmacies as primary healthcare centres is part of a broader push by the association to elevate the role of pharmacists in Nigeria's healthcare system. The association has previously called for reforms in health insurance tariffs, better compensation for pharmacists, and the integration of herbal medicine into the healthcare system. As Nigeria continues to work towards achieving universal health coverage, the role of community pharmacies and pharmacists in delivering accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare is likely to become increasingly important. For now, the ACPN has made its position clear: the time has come for the Federal Government to recognise community pharmacies as primary healthcare centres and fully integrate pharmacists into the nation's healthcare delivery system.
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