Community pharmacists deplore neglect, seek better healthcare

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has deplored non-recognition by government, reminding stakeholders that primary healthcare remains a sustainable foundation for public health interventions.

Its National Chairman, Dr. Samuel Adekola, during a press briefing, at the weekend, in Lagos, preparatory to the body’s 39th yearly national conference with the theme, “Optimising Primary Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: Community Pharmacists’ Untapped Potentials”, and holding from November 30 to December 4, 2020, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, said that once the most populous black nation gets it right at that level, the country’s current unenviable health indices would begin to improve.

“It is unfortunate that our approach to primary healthcare is missing an essential ingredient – that is the active recognition and involvement of community pharmacists – as the most accessible highly-trained and competent health professionals in the nation’s primary healthcare programme,” Adekola noted.

The ACPN boss, who said that the lapses were what informed the theme of the event, stated that the programme, which would draw personalities from near and wide, including President, International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Dominique Jordan, as keynote speaker, would have its opening session chaired by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

He added that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, his Plateau counterpart, Simon Lalong; Rabiu Kwankwaso and inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, would be recognised for their contribution to healthcare and pharmacy.