The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has urged the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to strengthen collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to combat the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard medicines across the country.
According to an official statement signed by the Head, Information and Public Relations Department, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Chris Ugwuegbulam, the SGF made the call while receiving the leadership of the ACPN, led by its National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekanma Ezeh, during a courtesy visit in Abuja on Thursday.
Akume described community pharmacists as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare system and commended the association for its continued contributions to advancing pharmacy practice and improving healthcare delivery.
He noted that the circulation of fake and substandard medicines remains one of the most significant threats to public health, stressing that addressing the challenge requires the collective efforts of government agencies, professional bodies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the public.
The SGF called on community pharmacists to work closely with NAFDAC in identifying and eliminating counterfeit medicines from the supply chain, noting that while the regulatory agency has made significant progress, broader collaboration is essential to effectively tackle the menace.
Drawing from recent engagements with a Ugandan delegation, Akume observed that Uganda has recorded notable achievements in local pharmaceutical manufacturing and encouraged Nigerian pharmacists to leverage international partnerships and knowledge exchange to strengthen domestic drug production.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria. He said ongoing efforts to establish additional specialised medical facilities and expand admission opportunities for students studying medicine, pharmacy, and other health-related disciplines are aimed at addressing the country’s healthcare workforce needs.
The SGF also described the ACPN’s forthcoming 2026 Annual International Scientific Conference as an important platform for professional engagement, innovation, and policy dialogue, urging participants to develop practical recommendations that would strengthen pharmacy practice, improve pharmaceutical care, and support the attainment of universal health coverage.
Speaking earlier, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekanma Ezeh, said the visit was to formally invite the SGF to serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the association’s 2026 Annual International Scientific Conference.
Ezeh explained that the conference is intended to promote policy dialogue, innovation, and collaboration among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. He noted that pharmacists have evolved beyond their traditional role of dispensing medicines to become strategic partners in strengthening primary healthcare, expanding access to quality medicines, advancing universal health coverage, and supporting national development.
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and stakeholders to advance pharmacy practice, improve patient care, and accelerate local pharmaceutical production.
Kana observed that pharmacy practice has evolved significantly, extending beyond the dispensing of medicines to include medication administration, pharmaceutical manufacturing, research, and other specialised fields that continue to enhance healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
