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By Doris Obinna
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has urged the Federal Government to sanction pharmaceutical companies and Superintendent Pharmacists allegedly operating illegally in Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh, and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the association accused the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and hospital managements of enabling unethical practices through unlawful Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), including the controversial Medipool scheme.
The ACPN described the situation as a systemic failure of regulatory oversight and alleged that Chief Medical Directors of some FHIs have mismanaged Drug Revolving Funds (DRFs), originally meant to ensure sustainable drug supply.
It cited multiple violations of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022, including the operation of unregistered pharmacies within public hospitals, contrary to Sections 22, 27, and 29 of the Act. The association also revealed that more than 20 unregistered pharmaceutical premises are currently engaged in illegal PPPs with government hospitals.
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The ACPN warned Superintendent Pharmacists involved in these unlawful operations to regularise their practices before the end of 2025 or face disciplinary action in 2026. It further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and address the systemic irregularities in the nation’s drug distribution system.
The association expressed concern that continued neglect of the law poses serious risks to public health and patient safety, stressing those counterfeit and substandard drugs could easily infiltrate the system through unregulated channels. It maintained that the collapse of proper oversight has weakened confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.
The ACPN also urged regulatory bodies such as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to intensify monitoring and enforcement across all federal health facilities. It warned that allowing the situation to persist would further erode professional ethics and damage the integrity of the pharmaceutical sector.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding professional standards, the ACPN vowed to continue collaborating with relevant authorities and stakeholders to restore order, transparency, and accountability in the nation’s drug distribution network. It called for a return to lawful practices that guarantee equitable access to quality medicines for all Nigerians.
