Association Of Community Pharmacists Of Nigeria (ACPN)

Folashade Adeniran
Aug, Fri, 2025

Health

Community pharmacists, Police collaborate on health outreaches

38 total views today

By Kemi Akintokun

Community pharmacists in Lagos State, under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), have partnered with the Nigerian Police Force to enhance public health and safety.

In a statement signed by Mr Tolu Ajayi, ACPN Lagos Chairman, the collaboration highlighted pharmacists’ dual role as healthcare providers and public safety allies.

As part of the 2025 Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos Scientific Week, the ACPN paid advocacy visits to the Assistant Inspector General at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and the Lagos State Police Command.

The health outreaches themed “Partnership with the Nigeria Police Force for Equitable Access to Healthcare Towards Universal Health Coverage” were simultaneously held across 30 police formations in the state.

The activities included health education, free medical screening for officers, distribution of essential medicines, product samples, and first aid supplies.

“Together, community pharmacists and the police can create a frontline that fights illegalities, builds trust, and promotes public health and safety,” Ajayi stated.

He emphasised that community pharmacists were not only committed to rational medication use but were also well-positioned to support crime prevention through intelligence on drug abuse and trafficking.

“Beyond dispensing medicines, we provide counselling, monitor treatment outcomes, support adherence, and make timely referrals.

“We also play a vital role in rehabilitating individuals battling drug addiction and promoting disease prevention and wellness,” Ajayi added.(NAN)(nannews,ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Community pharmacists urge govt. to regulate drug distribution

Folashade Adeniran
Mar, Sat, 2025

Health

Community pharmacists urge govt. to regulate drug distribution

507 total views today

By Kemi Akintokun

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos Chapter, has urged the government to establish a proper drug distribution system to combat fake and unregistered drugs in the country.

Mr Tolulope Ajayi, the chapter’s chairman, made the appeal on Thursday in Lagos during the association’s Annual General Meeting and Financial and Officers’ Report for 2024.

Ajayi said a proper drug distribution system could be achieved by establishing coordinated wholesale centres in different parts of the country.

He expressed the association’s support for the ongoing clampdown on fake, unregistered, and expired drugs by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The chairman stated that the creation of such centres would enable proper monitoring, storage, and regulation of drugs, safeguarding the health of Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAFDAC began enforcement operations on Feb. 10 at the Idumota open drug market, Lagos; Ariaria drug market in Aba; and Bridge Market in Onitsha.

According to NAFDAC, these markets distribute over 80 per cent of medications in the country, and the operation aims to eliminate falsified and unregistered drugs.

Ajayi said, “It is the government’s role to ensure a proper drug distribution system, and the only way to achieve this is by having a coordinated medicine centre in every state.

“Some issues should not be left to market forces. The government must take a stand, especially when public health is at stake.

“The discoveries made by NAFDAC in recent weeks are shocking. Open drug markets are vulnerable to adulterated pharmaceutical products that endanger Nigerians.

“We support the ongoing enforcement because we believe in ethics and professionalism. The government must strengthen NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria to enhance their effectiveness.”

He attributed the rise in kidney disease and other health issues to fake medicines, stressing that drug sales and distribution should not be handled by non-professionals.

The pharmacist urged members to source pharmaceutical products only from dealers registered under the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) to ensure public safety. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo