ACPN Set to Transform Healthcare Delivery through Technology Integration

Esther Oluku

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has reaffirmed its commitment to revolutionizing healthcare delivery through digital transformation and personalized care, as it convened its 44th Annual National Scientific Conference themed “Technology Integration and Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice.”

The conference, tagged ‘IFEADIGO 2025’, kicked off with a grand opening on July 23, 2025, at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Awka, Anambra State.

The event attracted leading voices in health, governance, and industry, including the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and top officials from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), NAFDAC, and academia. Their presence underscored the critical role community pharmacists play as accessible, front-line healthcare providers across Nigeria.

Pharm. Ike Onyechi, Chairman of the opening ceremony (represented by Pharm. Dr. Ignatius Anukwu), praised the resilience of community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic and called for wider adoption of digital tools to meet the evolving needs of patients.

National ACPN Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, lauded the Soludo administration for its pharmacy-friendly policies, including the appointment of pharmacists to key public health roles and the development of the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Oba. He emphasized the need for clear regulatory boundaries between NAFDAC and PCN to ensure smooth pharmaceutical governance.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Michael Ubaka highlighted the rising importance of pharmacists in the digital age, describing them as “the most impactful healthcare provider.” He called on community pharmacists to embrace digital health, patient-centered services, and chronic disease management as pathways to universal healthcare access.

Governor Soludo, welcoming participants, praised pharmacists as “the heart of healthcare delivery system,” and emphasized the role of innovation in building a resilient healthcare ecosystem.

He reiterated his administration’s goal of making Anambra a hub for healthcare investment, learning, and service.

PSN President, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba Ibrahim, applauded the ACPN’s grassroots impact and confirmed Anambra as the next host for the PSN National Conference, while PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ahmed Babasheu Ibrahim, expressed full support for the Oba CWC initiative.

As awards were presented and goodwill messages exchanged, the conference emerged as a symbol of unity, innovation, and commitment to advancing healthcare in Nigeria through empowered community pharmacists.