The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for pharmaceutical industries.

He made this statement at the 44th Annual National Scientific Conference titled “IFEADIGO 2025,” held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Awka, Anambra State.

The event with the theme, “Technology Integration and Personalised Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice,” attracted prominent figures from different sectors, including government officials, healthcare professionals, academia, traditional rulers, and distinguished members of the pharmaceutical industry.

The ceremony gathered key stakeholders, including the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Ibrahim Babasheu Ahmed and others.

The governor emphasised the vital role pharmacists play in the healthcare system and urged them to uphold professional ethical standards through self-supervision, self-censorship, and self-regulation, while striving to improve healthcare delivery.

“Pharmacists are the heart of our healthcare delivery system. You keep us safe, healthy, and help us live longer. The role that pharmacists play in keeping us healthy will ever be appreciated,” he stated.

Soludo acknowledged the transformative power of technology in the healthcare sector, stating that technology is everything, just as he recognised the role of pharmacists as frontline healthcare providers equipped to utilise advancements in AI and other innovations.

“Our main vision is to make Anambra a preferred place to ‘live, learn, invest, work, relax, and enjoy’. Let us work together to improve the lives of the people and give them a sound, solid, reliable, and dependable healthcare ecosystem,” he said.

National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh underscored the importance of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) established in 2015.

The association also praised the Anambra State government, led by Prof. Charles Soludo, for its dedication to improving drug distribution through the establishment of Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs).

Ezeh expressed optimism regarding the progress of the Oba CWC and emphasised the importance of clear regulatory frameworks to prevent conflicts between the National Agency of Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).

Ezeh urged NAFDAC to respect established statutory functions and avoid issuing directives that might disrupt the pharmaceutical sector.

He reaffirmed the ACPN’s commitment to collaborating with the government to enhance healthcare delivery and ensure the well-being of healthcare consumers in Nigeria.

Ezeh praised the pharmacy-friendly policies of the Soludo administration, which include key appointments of pharmacists to essential government roles, thereby strengthening the state’s healthcare sector.

The chairman of the ceremony, Pharm. Ike Onyechi, represented by Pharm. (Dr.) Ignatius Anukwu highlighted the enduring dedication of community pharmacists.

“ACPN is a renowned association of community pharmacists who are indeed the face of community practice in Nigeria,” he stated, acknowledging their commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic and their ongoing efforts to improve health and well-being in their communities.

He emphasised the importance of digitalisation for community pharmacists, urging them to adopt innovative solutions to improve service delivery in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

In his keynote address, titled “Digital Health, Personalised Care, and the Now of Community Pharmacy Practice,” Prof. Michael Ubaka emphasised the transformation, declaring, “The most impactful healthcare provider in the digital age is not a surgeon or physician but the local pharmacist.”

He underscored the need for community pharmacies to evolve by integrating digital health and personalised care into their practices, facilitating access to universal healthcare.

He quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO), stating that universal health coverage should enable all individuals to access healthcare without financial constraints. Ubaka linked the roles of community pharmacies to addressing chronic disease management, providing health education, and supporting immunisation efforts.

In a spirit of collaboration, Ibrahim expressed optimism for the future, stating, “This conference is a testing ground, and we are satisfied with what Anambra has done.”

He affirmed the state’s commitment to maintaining its status as a pharmacy-friendly region and announced plans to host the National PSN Conference in Anambra the following year.

He commended the ACPN for its impact on the community it serves.

“ACPN is the first of pharmacy because whoever is sick in the community, the first point of call is the community pharmacist, so it is what they do that reflects on the image of pharmacy, please continue shining the light,” Ibrahim said.

Pharm. Ahmed Ibrahim Babasheu shared his experiences since assuming office as PCN Registrar, lauding efforts for the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) at Oba.

He affirmed the PCN’s support for the initiatives at the CWC, emphasising the necessity for collaboration among health professionals to ensure safe and efficient drug distribution.