The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has issued a 13-point communiqué outlining why governments, donors, partners, and other stakeholders should recognise Community Pharmacists (CPs) as essential contributors to service delivery in the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage.
ACPN also in the communique called for a series of policy reforms and improved regulation within the pharmaceutical sector.
The pharmacists among others declared that the government must show more commitment to unlocking the Pharma-sector value chain by overcoming a plethora of challenges including fragmented coordination of the sector.
Also, checkmating the high incidence of unqualified and untrained hands who dabble into the professional terrain, the prevalence of fake and counterfeit medicines because of a glaring inadequacy in the implementation mode of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), dearth of inculcation of technology, poor access to capital and infrastructures which are below par.
These points were contained in a communiqué, issued at the end of its 43rd Annual National Conference themed “Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice Through Innovation and Collaboration.” The conference brought together pharmacists, government officials, and industry stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing community pharmacies in Nigeria.
A key takeaway was the urgent need for policy changes that encourage innovation and collaboration in community pharmacy practices. ACPN believes this will lead to better service delivery, research, and ultimately, improved patient care.
The association highlighted the critical role of community pharmacies in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and urged the government to recognise them as primary healthcare centres and prioritise their role in the healthcare system.
The communique reads, “After a careful evaluation of all the papers, memorandum and motions at the AGM, Conference adopted the reflected resolutions: “Conference acknowledged that Community Pharmacies (CP) are best suited to provide healthcare services to the largest segment of the population in every clime which is why Governments, donors, partners and other stakeholders should identify CPs as strategic executors in service delivery in the quest to attain Universal Health Coverage.
“Conference identified a need for policy shifts that will boost innovations and collaborations in CP practice in methodologies that compel effective service delivery, research and documentation which ultimately enhance professionalism.
“Conference echoed the global expositions and norms which recognise CP as Primary Healthcare Centers and reinforced the reality that the National Health Act – 2014 validates the status of Pharmacies as Health facilities in Nigeria.
“Conference declared that Government must show more commitment to unlocking the Pharma-sector value chain by overcoming a plethora of challenges including fragmented coordination of the sector, checkmating the high incidence of unqualified and untrained hands who dabble into the professional terrain, prevalence of fake and counterfeit medicines because of a glaring inadequacy in the implementation mode of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), dearth of inculcation of technology, poor access to capital and infrastructures which are below par.
“Conference canvassed effective regulatory controls in the quest for Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP). The conference welcomed legislative action in key areas like the establishment of the Federal and State Task Forces on fake and counterfeit drugs as the inherent weaknesses in the Pharmacy and Drug statutes encourage criminal elements and merchants of death to get away with impunity in the Pharma Sector,” the communique added.
Further, ACPN called for stricter regulations, better funding for regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), and effective implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).
The conference noted that better funding will encourage regulatory agencies to abrogate some of the tariffs that have become burdensome on pharma manufacturers as well as importers, particularly at a time when the escalating cost of drugs cannot be left solely to the vagaries of the impressive Executive Order on the pharma sector to crush drug prices.
The communique also reads, “The conference called for proper funding of NAFDAC and PCN to enable these agencies to meet the expectations of consumers of health while also encouraging these agencies to abrogate some of the tariffs which have become burdensome on Pharma manufacturers as well as importers particularly at a time the escalating cost of drugs cannot be left solely to the vagaries of the impressive Executive order on the Pharma Sector to crush drug prices.
“Community Pharmacists under the aegis of ACPN reminded the Government at all levels that quality drugs are germane to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“The conference strongly recommended the effective coordination of the series of ongoing efforts to catalyse improved coordination of the supply chain through innovations and technology-backed collaborations with regulatory agencies.”
The conference also addressed the need for the expansion of community pharmacy services to rural areas.
Reviewing recent developments at National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIA), they called for immediate necessary legal action to compel the implementation of the NHIA Act as amended and the PCN Act 2022 as it relates to the appropriate dispensing of drugs in social health insurance endeavours in Nigeria bearing in mind that over N1Trillion of drugs have been dispensed since 2006 by persons who have not aligned with the necessary provisions of law.
Commending the Federal Ministry of Health, FMoH, for resuscitating the National Prescription Policy (NPP) brought to front burners in 2013 by the PSN leadership, community pharmacists appreciated the trajectory of the NPP committee.
However, the Association stressed the need to appoint a Pharmaceutical Consultant who must be a Registered Pharmacist within the purview of the PCN Act and a Medical Consultant who must be a Registered Medical Doctor within the ambit of the MDCN Act.
“Conference sued for the encouragement of the expansion of Community Pharmacy to cover rural areas in Nigeria.
“Furtherance to these expansionist needs, the Conference urged the NEC of ACPN to integrate the peer-to-peer (P2P) concept and the digital toolbox for effective documentation and inventory management.
The conference implored the ACPN to optimize and leverage strategic partnerships for the growth of CPs.
“The conference charged NEC to set up an ACPN Innovation Committee with the mandate to oversee ongoing projects. The conference pushed for continuity and progress of all initiatives that are on course.
The conference conveyed its appreciation for the development of an ACPN aggregator platform pharmacies.ng The platform allows members of the ACPN to establish an online presence, manage their own dashboards, and facilitate direct transactions with clients.
“Conference applauded the concept of Pharma-Care centres in under-served areas of the country. The conference called for the establishment of a Pharma-Care Centre in every local Government area in Nigeria. The conference endorsed the maiden Pharma-Care Centre located in Afijo LGA of Oyo State while also adopting the recommendation that each State branch of the ACPN should set up at least one Centre in their State.
“Conference directed through its AGM that Past Chairmen of the ACPN shall no longer be eligible for appointments as CEOs of ACPN subsidiaries because of the propensity to generate entropy between incumbent Chairmen and Past Chairmen.
The conference further highlighted the significance of this resolution by insisting the resolution be implemented with immediate effect.
“Conference reviewed recent developments at NHIA and called on the Chairman and NEC to immediately explore necessary legal action to compel the implementation of the NHIA Act as amended and the PCN Act 2022 as it relates to the appropriate dispensing of drugs in social health insurance endeavours in Nigeria bearing in mind that over N1Trillion of drugs have been dispensed since 2006 by persons who have not aligned with the necessary provisions of law.
“Conference commended the FMoH for resuscitating the National Prescription Policy (NPP) which was brought to front burners in 2013 by the PSN leadership.
The conference appreciated the trajectory of the NPP committee but stressed the need to appoint a Pharmaceutical Consultant who must be a Registered Pharmacist within the purview of the PCN Act and a Medical Consultant who must be a Registered Medical Doctor within the ambit of the MDCN Act.
“The conference conveyed its gratitude to HE Engr. Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, Chief Judge, Oyo State Government, and the good people of Oyo State for hosting and creating a conducive environment for the successful Annual National Conference of the ACPN,” the communique added.
The conference concluded with the election of new National Executive Committee (NEC) members for the 2024/25-year.
