The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has urged the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to deepen collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to curb the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard medicines across the country.

Akume made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the ACPN, led by its National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekanma Ezeh.

He commended the association for its contributions to advancing pharmacy practice and improving healthcare delivery, describing community pharmacists as frontline stakeholders in protecting public health.

The SGF warned that the circulation of fake and substandard medicines remains one of the gravest threats to Nigeria’s healthcare system, stressing that the battle against counterfeit drugs requires coordinated action by government agencies, professional bodies, pharmaceutical manufacturers and the public.

“The menace of fake drugs continues to pose a serious danger to the health and well-being of Nigerians. You must join hands with NAFDAC in checking this menace because it is a responsibility that demands the support of all of us. While NAFDAC is doing a great deal, it also requires the active collaboration of professional bodies such as the ACPN,” Akume said.

Drawing from a recent engagement with a Ugandan delegation, the SGF noted that Uganda had made remarkable progress in local pharmaceutical production and encouraged Nigerian pharmacists to embrace partnerships and knowledge exchange to strengthen domestic drug manufacturing.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government‘s commitment to improving healthcare under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing quality healthcare delivery as one of the administration’s top priorities.

According to him, the government is investing in the establishment of more specialised health facilities across the country while expanding admission opportunities for students studying medicine, pharmacy and other health-related disciplines to bridge the nation’s healthcare workforce gap.

Akume assured the association of continued government support for initiatives aimed at improving pharmaceutical standards, expanding access to quality healthcare and protecting Nigerians from counterfeit medicines.

He also described the ACPN’s forthcoming Annual International Scientific Conference as a strategic platform for professional engagement, innovation and policy dialogue capable of advancing pharmacy practice and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The SGF urged participants to use the conference to develop practical recommendations that would enhance pharmaceutical care, promote local drug production and accelerate the country’s drive towards universal health coverage.

Earlier, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekanma Ezeh, said the delegation visited to formally invite the SGF to serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the association’s 2026 Annual International Scientific Conference.

He said the conference would provide a platform for policy dialogue, innovation and collaboration among critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

Ezeh noted that pharmacists have evolved beyond their traditional role as medicine dispensers to become strategic partners in strengthening primary healthcare, expanding access to quality medicines, advancing universal health coverage and supporting national development.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, called for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to advance pharmacy practice, improve patient care and accelerate local pharmaceutical production.

Kana observed that pharmacy practice has undergone significant transformation globally and in Nigeria, evolving beyond the dispensing of medicines to include medication management, pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and other specialised fields that play a vital role in improving healthcare outcomes.

He described pharmacists as indispensable healthcare professionals whose expanding responsibilities continue to enhance patient care and strengthen the nation’s healthcare delivery system.