By Kemi Akintokun
As fragmentation within the healthcare sector persists, Mrs Njide Ndili, the Country Director of PharmAccess Foundation, urges community pharmacists to embrace digital systems to better connect with other health professionals.
Ndili made the call while delivering the keynote speech at the 2026 Continuing Education Conference organised by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos Chapter, on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the three-day conference is “Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice through Technology”.
She noted that community pharmacists were central to the healthcare system, serving as the first point of care but yet they remained largely underutilised.
“Community pharmacists are central pillar in our health care system but they are often neglected and that is why they need to empower themselves in digital system and technology to connect with the healthcare system.
“Nobody can solve the problem in the health sector alone, we have to collaborate across sectors and with other health personnel to develop and design a system that works for all of us,” she said.
Ndili, who is also the President of Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), emphasised the need to nurture young professionals to shape policies that will enable the healthcare system to work effectively.
She commended the association for organising the programme targeted at educating and uniting members to enhance their knowledge.
Speaking also, the Chairman of ACPN Lagos Chapter, Mr Tolulope Ajayi, said the flagship programme was initiated as part of the association’s drive to educate members on the importance of integrating technology for effectiveness.
According to Ajayi, community pharmacists are recognised as critical healthcare providers and integrated into primary care systems in advanced climes, hence the need for the country to adopt it.
“Embracing digital technology is crucial in enhancing the efficiency and contribution of community pharmacists to the healthcare system.
“I enjoin my colleagues to be intentional about scaling their practice through deliberate collaboration and technology as a pharmaceutical care, renewed focus on public health activities, ” he said.
The pharmacist noted that for the nation’s healthcare to move forward, community pharmacists must be fully integrated to leverage and enhance community-based care provider.
“Community pharmacists are not just dispensers of drugs, they provide essential healthcare services and should be fully integrated into the primary healthcare system.
“These integration should include strong referral systems between pharmacists and secondary healthcare facilities, with clear feedback mechanisms to ensure continuity of care,” he said.
The Chairman of the conference, Mr Ike Onyechi, also a Pharmacist, advised pharmacists to be proactive and embrace the level of technology they can afford to upscale their work.
“A pharmacist should start from where he or she can because you cannot tell every pharmacists to adopt a full ERP system immediately.
“They can start with keeping proper documentation and move towards digital platforms.Once your activities are digitised, you have a track record,” he said.
Onyechi, who is the CEO of Alpha Pharmacy, however, urged pharmacists to always source their drugs from the right source to ensure the wellbeing of Nigerians.
“NAFDAC is working in the fight against fake and counterfeit drugs but pharmacists must also do their part by buying from the right sources.
“If you go to the wrong channels because you want more profit, you may get fake drugs but if you buy from the right source there is about a 99% chance that the medicines will be genuine.
“So, pharmacists must continue to follow the right channels and maintain professional standards,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Josephine Obute/Vivian Ihechu
