Community Pharmacists Urge FG to Recognise Pharmacies as Primary Healthcare Centres

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has urged the Federal Government to officially recognise community pharmacies as primary healthcare centres, arguing that the move would strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and expand access to essential medical services.

The call was made by the National Chairman of the ACPN, Pharmacist Ambrose Ezeh, in a statement released on Tuesday. He said community pharmacies have become the first point of contact for healthcare services in many communities and should be fully integrated into the country’s primary healthcare framework.

According to Ezeh, pharmacies are strategically positioned within communities, making them indispensable in delivering timely healthcare services and advancing Nigeria’s quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

He stressed that formally recognising community pharmacies as primary healthcare centres would enable the government to better utilise their widespread presence in improving access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved areas.

The ACPN chairman also called for the full integration of pharmacists into grassroots healthcare programmes and rural development initiatives, noting that their expertise could significantly improve health outcomes nationwide.

“I also reiterate the association’s advocacy for the formal recognition of community pharmacies as Primary Healthcare Centres,” Ezeh said, maintaining that their accessibility and frontline role make them vital assets in achieving universal health coverage.

He added that strengthening the role of community pharmacists would not only improve healthcare delivery but also support the government’s efforts to build a more inclusive and efficient health system for Nigerians.