Pharmacists across Nigeria have been urged to adopt technology urgently to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving healthcare sector, Pharm. John Omale has emphasised.
Addressing the opening of the three-day ‘Business Summit 3.0’ organised by the Abuja chapter of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Omale stressed that traditional approaches are no longer sufficient for addressing current challenges.
“Our practices as professionals must evolve to remain meaningful and effective. We cannot continue doing things the same way and expect different results. Technology must be at the heart of that transformation,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address under the theme ‘Technology Infusion in Healthcare Practices: The Panacea for the Future of Community Pharmacy,’ Omale insisted that digital tools are now essential rather than optional. He explained, “Technology enables us to solve problems, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth.
“However, we must also recognize that the market, regulations, and mainstream practices are shifting. To survive and thrive, we must adapt, innovate, and adopt standards that ensure quality and profitability without compromising ethical values.”
He connected sustainability in pharmacy practice to innovation and problem-solving, noting, “Money flows to solutions. When we solve problems effectively, opportunities and resources naturally follow. Stronger reliance on data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and innovation is the only way to go.”
Omale highlighted the growing complexity of modern healthcare, particularly the need for patient-specific care and safe drug use. “Technology can help us manage these complexities, improve patient safety, and deliver higher-quality services,” he added.
He also cautioned that technology alone is insufficient without investing in people. “We must also prioritize training and continuous learning. The world of healthcare is dynamic, and professionals must stay ahead of developments in science, technology, and regulation. Only then can we build a system where every patient receives appropriate, safe, and effective treatment.”
On challenges facing the profession, Omale identified outdated practices, resistance to change, limited standardisation, restricted access to digital tools, and gaps in regulatory compliance and ethical delivery.
“Our collective goal should be to modernize our systems, standardize practices, and ensure ethical service delivery. By embracing change and adopting new tools, we can transform healthcare into a system that is patient-centred and sustainable for the future,” he stated.
The ACPN FCT chapter chairman, Aloba Olatunji, described the summit as an avenue to empower members and promote continuous professional learning. “As professionals, we don’t stop learning. This summit is designed to put knowledge back into our members, helping us adapt to what is trending in society. The theme for this year is ‘Technological Infusion into Healthcare Practice,’” he said.
He observed that while artificial intelligence is being touted as a disruptor, Africa’s unique healthcare realities make pharmacists indispensable.
“Pharmacists in Africa deal with tropical medicine, which technology cannot fully replace. Our members need to be empowered to integrate technology into their practice,” he explained.
Olatunji added that incentives introduced at the summit were aimed at supporting members navigating difficult business environments. “Some of our members are doing well, while others are not. Collectively, many are struggling.
Information is power, so we need to constantly pass it across so they can blend with what is happening in society,” he said.
He also appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with government reforms and to always seek professional guidance in drug use. “A beautiful diagnosis without the right drug, dose, and duration will not give you a beautiful result,” he cautioned.
Regarding drug regulation, he assured, “No pharmacy manned by a licensed pharmacist will dispense prescription drugs irrationally. Your license is at stake.
On fake and substandard drugs, ACPN is working with NAFDAC and NDLEA to ensure they are flushed out of society.”
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Board of Pharmacist Fellows for Abuja and Nasarawa praised ACPN for hosting the summit, describing it as “a valuable platform to advance pharmacy practice.”
He encouraged members to “remain focused on professional goals despite distractions” and emphasised the importance of unity in achieving shared objectives.
A representative of the NDLEA FCT Commandant, delivering goodwill on the agency’s behalf, reiterated the partnership between pharmacists and the agency, calling them the “frontline interface with the people.” He warned about the rising trend of substance abuse and stressed the ethical responsibility of pharmacists in prevention.
He also commended ACPN for fostering collaboration, noting that the summit was crucial in “tackling substance abuse and promoting responsible healthcare delivery.”
The empowerment initiatives, sponsored by a stakeholder, included cars, televisions, refrigerators, and other consolation prizes. Additionally, the FCT chapter distributed inverters to members to maintain power supply at their premises during outages.
