The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has announced that its 44th Annual International Conference will take place from 22nd to 27th July 2025 in Awka, Anambra State.
With the theme “Technology Integration, Personalised Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice,” the conference aims to reposition pharmacy in Nigeria by leveraging digital innovations and customized care to transform national healthcare delivery.
In a press release signed by the National Chairman of the ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, the event was described as a timely intervention, set against the backdrop of an evolving healthcare landscape and increasing demands from a tech-savvy, wellness-focused population.
He stated that technologies such as telepharmacy, artificial intelligence, electronic health records, and point-of-care testing are no longer optional but vital in providing data-driven, patient-centred pharmaceutical care at the community level.
“The ACPN is committed to aligning pharmacy practice with global best practices to meet rising health demands locally,” he said.
Pharm. Igwekamma also sounded an alarm over the resurgence of counterfeit and substandard medicines, foods, and beverages in Nigeria, referencing studies that date back to 1988, including a Federal Ministry of Health/WHO report that found 33% of medicines in circulation to be fake—7% of which resulted in death.
By 1998, a study from the University of Lagos indicated that 50% of fake drugs originated from open drug markets and nearly 33% from patent medicine vendors. The consequences were grave: 12.8% of affected cases resulted in death, while 10.8% led to treatment failure.
While he acknowledged the progress made under the late Prof. Dora Akunyili during her time at NAFDAC, Pharm. Igwekamma warned that the country may be slipping back into a dangerous era, despite official reports claiming that only 13–15% of drugs are counterfeit.
He lamented the inactivity of federal and state pharmaceutical task forces and called for urgent amendments to the Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act to strengthen its enforcement.
Highlighting recent progress, he commended the January 2024 joint operation by NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) that led to the closure of the Sabon-Geri open drug market in Kano and the successful launch of the first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC)—a regulated alternative under the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).
However, the ACPN chairman expressed concern over the estimated five million unregistered drug outlets operating across Nigeria and warned of a booming black market in counterfeit beverages, describing it as a “tens-of-billions-naira business run by modern-day merchants of death.”
The six-day conference is expected to draw over 3,000 delegates from Nigeria and abroad, including pharmacists, policymakers, academics, researchers, tech innovators, students, and healthcare entrepreneurs.
Conference highlights will include:A symbolic “Walk Against Fake and Counterfeit Medicines”, Keynote addresses by global thought leaders, Technical sessions and regulatory workshops, Panels on pharmaceutical entrepreneurship and innovation.
Pharm. Igwekamma praised the Anambra State Government for its enthusiastic support and expressed confidence that Awka would provide a vibrant platform for strategic dialogue and collaboration.
He urged all pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders to attend the conference and help shape a resilient, innovation-driven, and patient-focused pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
“Together, we shall build a community pharmacy model that delivers impact through innovation and compassion,” he concluded.
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