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By Doris Obinna
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health and pharmaceutical sectors have endorsed a new professional development framework aimed at strengthening community pharmacy practice and expanding the role of pharmacists in primary healthcare delivery.
The endorsement followed a strategic stakeholder engagement meeting convened by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) and the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI) in Abuja.
The meeting, held at Newton Park Hotels & Resort, brought together participants drawn from government institutions, regulatory agencies, professional associations, development partners and private sector organizations to deliberate on advancing community pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
Participants included representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others.
In his address, National Chairman ACPN, Ambrose Ezeh, reaffirmed the commitment of community pharmacists to strengthening healthcare delivery. He noted that pharmacists remain among the most accessible healthcare professionals in the country, with many Nigerians seeking advice from them before visiting hospitals.
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Stakeholders deliberated on the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute framework, designed to establish a structured career pathway that will transition community pharmacies from medicine dispensing outlets into healthcare hubs within Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.
Participants noted that the absence of a standardized competency framework had limited the growth and impact of community pharmacists and welcomed the CPACPI model for aligning with national health priorities, including strengthening healthcare access and improving data reporting from private sector pharmacies.
The framework introduces a five-level professional pathway for community pharmacists, ranging from Community Pharmacist to Community Pharmacy Consultant, with progression tied to measurable outcomes, appraisal and mentorship.
Stakeholders also agreed to strengthen collaboration with the PCN on quality improvement and licensure while exploring partnerships with development organizations and private sector actors to support implementation.
At the meeting, 32 individuals from the public and private sectors were recognised as National CPACPI Champions for their contributions to advancing pharmacy practice and supporting the institute’s objectives.
Participants called for sustained institutional and legislative support to ensure the long-term success of the initiative, noting that the framework would help expand the role of community pharmacists in improving access to quality healthcare services across the country.
