ACPN Targets Universal Health Coverage, Seeks Bigger Role For Community Pharmacists At Unity 2026

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Kazeem Awojoodu

Community pharmacists across Nigeria will converge in Abuja later this month to advocate deeper integration into the nation’s healthcare system, with universal health coverage, expansion of health insurance, and stronger pharmaceutical policies dominating discussions at the 45th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), tagged Unity 2026.

The conference, scheduled for July 27 to August 1 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, is expected to attract senior government officials, health policymakers, regulators, pharmaceutical industry leaders, development partners and healthcare professionals to chart strategies for improving access to quality healthcare across the country.

Themed, “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems,” the week-long conference will focus on strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system while positioning community pharmacists as critical stakeholders in achieving universal health coverage (UHC).

Activities will commence on July 27 with a health insurance awareness walk themed, “Health Insurance for All: Leaving No One Behind,” to be led by the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, alongside the ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma.

The walk is expected to attract pharmacists, healthcare stakeholders, policymakers and members of the public in a renewed campaign to deepen awareness and participation in Nigeria’s health insurance scheme.

At the conference, Dr. Ohiri will deliver a presentation titled, “Leveraging NHIA–Community Pharmacists Collaboration as a Catalyst for Universal Health Coverage,” highlighting the role of stronger partnerships between community pharmacists and health insurance providers in expanding access to affordable healthcare services.

Also expected to speak is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, whose presentation, “Healthcare System Strengthening and Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” will focus on building a more resilient and inclusive healthcare system.

The conference has attracted an array of top government officials and policymakers, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, alongside leading figures from Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Pharm. Chidi Dozie, said preparations had been concluded to host both local and international delegates for what is expected to be one of Africa’s largest gatherings of community pharmacists.

According to him, the conference will bring together regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, healthcare practitioners and development partners to examine emerging challenges affecting healthcare delivery, pharmaceutical supply chains, regulation and access to quality medicines.

Dozie said the participation of senior government officials reflects the growing recognition of community pharmacists as indispensable stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare architecture.

He noted that the conference would provide a platform for transforming professional recommendations into actionable policies capable of improving healthcare access and strengthening national health security.

He added that participants would also gain insights into optimising pharmaceutical supply chains, improving operational efficiency, managing risks and navigating increasingly complex healthcare regulations, while advocating stronger institutional frameworks to safeguard investments in the pharmacy sector and promote sustainable healthcare delivery.

Speaking ahead of the conference, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, described Unity 2026 as a defining moment for the profession and an opportunity to reposition community pharmacists at the centre of healthcare transformation in Nigeria.

He said community pharmacists have assumed greater responsibilities in expanding healthcare access over the past decade and should be fully integrated into grassroots healthcare delivery and rural development initiatives.

“Our expectation for Unity 2026 goes beyond professional discussions. We aim to develop a practical roadmap that will strengthen community pharmacy practice and position pharmacists as key contributors to healthcare policy and national development,” he said.

Igwekamma also highlighted the association’s ongoing implementation of the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI), a framework endorsed by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), which provides a structured pathway for professional growth and career advancement.

He reiterated ACPN’s advocacy for the formal recognition of community pharmacies as Primary Healthcare Centres, arguing that their accessibility and frontline presence make them indispensable to achieving universal health coverage.

Keynote Speaker and Managing Director of Evans Therapeutics Limited, Pharm. Adewale Oyenuga, said the conference would also address pressing issues surrounding pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain resilience and regulatory compliance.

According to him, strengthening local drug production and aligning national pharmaceutical standards with global best practices remain essential to ensuring access to quality medicines and safeguarding public health.

President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, described the conference as a watershed for the profession, stressing that pharmacists must combine technical expertise with active policy engagement to influence healthcare governance and contribute meaningfully to national and global health targets.

Organisers said the conference, which features high-level policy dialogues, technical sessions, professional development programmes and strategic networking opportunities, is expected to produce practical recommendations for improving access to quality medicines, strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and accelerating the growth of a resilient pharmaceutical sector capable of meeting the health needs of millions of Nigerians.

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