ACPN Urges Reforms Amidst Pharmacy Sector Crisis

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised concerns regarding significant issues in the pharmacy sector, including brain drain, drug abuse, and ineffective regulatory systems, which threaten public health and national development. This appeal was made during the ACPN's 45th Annual National Scientific Conference, held from July 27 to August 1, 2026, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The conference, themed “Unity 2026: From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact Managing Complex Healthcare Systems,” gathered various stakeholders, including government officials and pharmaceutical leaders. ACPN National Chairman Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma reported that nearly 9,000 pharmacists emigrated from Nigeria between mid-2021 and December 2025, with over 850 more seeking relocation in the first half of 2026.

He attributed this trend to inadequate compensation and disorganized medicine procurement. Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, praised ACPN's efforts and encouraged collaboration with state governments to address medicine insecurity.