Community pharmacists vow crackdown on quackery
By Aderogba George
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) FCT has announced plans to form a strong alliance with its regulatory bodies to identify and eliminate quacks and charlatans from the profession.
The newly elected Chairman of the chapter, Mr Aloba Isaac, made this known on Saturday in Abuja during the inauguration of the new executive committee, which will lead the branch for the next three years.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Isaac also stated that his administration would enforce strict penalties against anyone found engaging in quackery within the community pharmacy sector.
“We are regulated by established bodies. To eliminate quacks and charlatans in community pharmacy, we must continue to strengthen these regulatory bodies and build strong alliances with them and other relevant agencies.
“We will ensure severe penalties are enforced against offenders. If you pay a penalty the first time and again the second time, by the third time, you will have no choice but to leave the profession once the system catches up with you.
“In this situation, it becomes a case of survival of the fittest. We will pursue this vigorously and ensure that charlatans are brought to justice,” Isaac emphasised.
He further pledged the association’s commitment to empowering young people with employment opportunities, rather than leaving them idle on the streets.
The chairman noted that his administration would work towards encouraging members to serve as mentors to the next generation of pharmacists, helping young professionals to set the pace for future contributions to society.
He also disclosed that the new leadership would seek to create sustainable financial empowerment for members, including providing loans, and would focus on fostering unity, love, and a strong collective voice within the association.
According to him, loans would be disbursed as part of an investment policy for the association, aiming to benefit members and prioritise their welfare.
“If our members are not sound mentally, physically, and financially, they will not be in the best position to serve their communities. Community pharmacy is ultimately about serving society,” he said.
Isaac called on the government to formulate policies that would offer community pharmacists better financial support, including access to loans, enabling them to grow their businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
“There is an initiative currently being championed by President Bola Tinubu known as the Policy Harmonisation Drive, which aims to strengthen local production of medicines, drugs, and vaccines. We strongly support this initiative,” he said.
He added that for the harmonisation policy to succeed, loans must be made available to help businesses grow the economy.
He urged the government to direct financial institutions to align with this goal by providing accessible loans to the people.
In his valedictory speech, the immediate past Chairman of the branch thanked members for the opportunity to serve.
While noting that his administration achieved some milestones, he urged the incoming leadership to surpass these achievements.
The keynote speaker at the event, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, also addressed members, urging them to prioritise patient safety, stressing that health and wellbeing must always come first as the profession involves human lives.
He further urged members to refrain from the sale of fake and substandard drugs, emphasising that the Community Pharmacists Association must continue to uphold its respected reputation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
Published By
Has also recently published
AgricultureApril 26, 2025Post-harvest losses: NSPRI delivers 1,000 hermetic drums to Borno govt.
General NewsApril 26, 2025SEC begins campaign against ponzi schemes in markets, churches
Culture & TourismApril 26, 2025Artists reinvent culture and togetherness in “Deconstructing Unity Exhibition”
Defence/SecurityApril 26, 2025I-G launches school protection squad in Edo
