The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called on the Federal Government to adopt and invest in a Pharmacy First Initiative (PFI) to strengthen primary healthcare and accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. According to the ACPN, community pharmacies are strategically positioned to serve as accessible first points of care, particularly for uncomplicated illnesses and essential medicines. This move aims to reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary health facilities.
The proposed Pharmacy First Initiative seeks to move community pharmacy practice beyond medicine dispensing to include basic screening for uncomplicated non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. The initiative also includes counselling and health advocacy on malaria, antenatal care, family planning, smoking cessation, and wellness. The ACPN emphasizes the need for systematic documentation and data collection from these services to generate evidence for policy development and improve healthcare planning.
The ACPN's National Chairman, Ezeh Ambrose, and National Secretary, Obiageri Ikwu, signed a position statement highlighting the gaps in Nigeria's healthcare transformation. These gaps include policy and political leadership, evidence generation, digital transformation, quality improvement, and collaboration. The association proposed a reform framework anchored on a common vision, quality that inspires public trust, digital and data-driven practice, stronger links with primary healthcare, and collaboration with health insurers.
The ACPN's proposal is built on the success of similar models globally, such as the United Kingdom's Pharmacy First model. In England, the NHS Pharmacy First service provides community-pharmacy consultations for specified common conditions. A new £340 million 2026/27 funding settlement is expanding community pharmacy services and introducing independent prescribing from autumn 2026. The UK Government aims to provide faster care closer to home and reduce pressure on general practice and hospitals.
The ACPN also pointed to the £300 million advance funding provided to community pharmacies in England during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding helped pharmacies facing significant cash-flow pressures while continuing to provide services. The association called on President Bola Tinubu and state governments to establish the long-sought Presidential Committee on the pharmaceutical sector to examine the Pharmacy First model and other reforms.
The ACPN's initiative seeks to integrate community pharmacies into primary healthcare, bringing basic services closer to communities and improving access to essential care. This move could contribute to a more resilient and patient-centred health system in Nigeria. The association challenged community pharmacists to embrace new practice and business models, scale up services, and work with relevant stakeholders to advance Good Pharmacy Practice.
The ACPN's call to action emphasizes the need for community pharmacists to align with modern ideas and tap into their proximity to patients at all levels of care. By doing so, community pharmacists can be a trusted and low-cost first contact workforce in the quest for the growth and development of the Health Sector in Nigeria. The association's proposal aims to create a system that establishes a template for players to thrive, invest in scaling up their practice and business models, and engage with stakeholders.
Key points
- The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria urges the Federal Government to adopt the Pharmacy First Initiative.
- The initiative aims to strengthen primary healthcare and accelerate Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
- Community pharmacies can serve as accessible first points of care, particularly for uncomplicated illnesses and essential medicines.
