Pharmacists Adopt Career Progression Framework to Enhance Practice

Pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) have adopted a framework to deepen the practice of the community pharmacists in the country, promote professional competence.

ACPN explained that the initiative through the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI) was aimed at advancing community pharmacy practice as key centres for primary healthcare delivery.

The framework was presented at a stakeholder engagement meeting convened by ACPN recently in Abuja, received the endorsement of stakeholders from the health and pharmaceutical sectors as a positive project that will transform community pharmacy practice in the country.

Over 100 participants from broad stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and health sectors, including representatives from government institutions, regulators, development partners, professional associations and private sector organisations, with discussions centred on improving Nigeria’s community pharmacy practice.

National Chairman of ACPN, Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, who emphasised the invaluable role of community pharmacists in the country, said that community pharmacists remain the most accessible healthcare professionals, noting that nearly 60 per cent of patients seek healthcare advice from pharmacists before visiting hospitals.

Ezeh reaffirmed the commitment of community pharmacists to strengthening healthcare delivery in the country, and urged practitioners to take advantage of the CPACPI initiative to advance their professional knowledge.

“We should embrace the CPACPI for its numerous benefits,’’ he said.

Ezeh explained that CPACPI was designed to evaluate, support and elevate community pharmacy practice while rewarding professional competence and improving job satisfaction within the private sector.

While endorsing the CPACPI model as it aligns with Nigeria’s national health priorities, particularly regarding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the strengthening of the National Data Repository (NDR), stakeholders acknowledged the increasing relevance of community pharmacists in addressing healthcare access gaps, particularly in underserved communities.

“The role of CPACPI in establishing a structured career progression pathway for community pharmacists, strengthening capacity and professional development, will reduce attrition and expand human resources for health in the private sector,’’ the communiqué issued at the end of the session read in part.

“The presentations delivered served as a platform to deliberate on the implementation of a structured professional pathway designed to transition community pharmacies from solely medicine dispensing outlets into healthcare hubs within Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare (PHC) system. The meeting thus provided a platform for strengthening collaboration around the CPACPI framework, and fostering alignment among key actors within Nigeria’s health and pharmacy ecosystem.”