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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has thrown its weight behind the second-term administration of Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, pledging robust collaboration to drive sweeping healthcare reforms and reposition the state as a pharmaceutical powerhouse.
In a statement issued on March 17, 2026, the association described the governor’s re-election and inauguration as a decisive endorsement of his reform-driven leadership, noting that his first term laid a solid foundation for transformative governance across key sectors, particularly healthcare.
The ACPN emphasized that the renewed mandate signals public confidence in policies that have prioritized access to quality medicines, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and promoted innovation. It noted that the administration’s healthcare vision aligns with the goals of community pharmacists, especially in building a resilient and efficient drug distribution system.
Central to the association’s commendation is the Soludo administration’s push to sanitize Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain through the establishment of Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs). The flagship facility in Oba, according to ACPN, represents a critical step toward implementing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), aimed at curbing the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines.
The association also spotlighted the government’s ambitious industrialization drive within the health sector, citing the development of the 4,000-hectare Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC) in Orumba and the emerging pharmaceutical hub in Ogboji. These initiatives, it said, are poised to boost local drug manufacturing, stimulate research and development, and position Anambra as a leading destination for pharmaceutical production in West Africa.
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ACPN further recalled the governor’s longstanding advocacy for local drug manufacturing as a pathway to national drug security. It referenced his engagements with industry leaders such as May & Baker Nigeria Plc, where he encouraged investment in indigenous research and commercialization of homegrown medical innovations.
In a joint statement by ACPN National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, and Anambra State Chairman, Felix Enendu, the association lauded the governor’s recognition of pharmacists as central to healthcare delivery. They referenced his description of pharmacists as the “heart of the healthcare delivery system,” underscoring his commitment to sustaining a pharmacy-friendly environment in the state.
The governor’s pro-business stance, reaffirmed during inauguration engagements, has already begun attracting pharmaceutical investors, particularly in commercial hubs like Onitsha. ACPN noted that planned investments in manufacturing and distribution facilities are expected to enhance medicine availability, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
National Chairman of ACPN, Ambrose Ezeh, reiterated the association’s readiness to partner with the state government in deepening healthcare reforms and expanding access to safe, quality medicines.
“As Governor Soludo begins another chapter of service, the community pharmacy profession remains committed to supporting policies that promote healthcare transformation, strengthen pharmaceutical practice, and enhance public health outcomes,” the statement read.
The association added that it looks forward to sustained collaboration with the Soludo administration to build a knowledge-driven economy and consolidate Anambra’s emergence as a regional hub for pharmaceutical innovation and healthcare development.
