The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Senator George Akume, has commended community pharmacists for their contribution to expanding access to quality medicines, charging them to ensure that pharmaceutical products available to Nigerians remain safe, effective, affordable and of assured quality.

He stated this during the Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN),

The SGF described community pharmacists as critical frontline healthcare professionals capable of playing a decisive role in tackling medicine affordability and accessibility, particularly among vulnerable Nigerians.

He highlighted recent interventions by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to include the Executive Order suspending import duties, taxes and Value Added Tax on pharmaceutical raw materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients, medical equipment and other essential healthcare inputs.

He stressed that the policy is aimed at reducing the cost of domestic pharmaceutical production, stimulating local manufacturing and ultimately driving down medicine prices, adding that significant gaps persist, especially in rural communities where millions of Nigerians still struggle to access affordable medicines and reliable pharmaceutical services.

Senator Akume tasked community pharmacists to complement government interventions by intensifying the fight against counterfeit and substandard medicines, supporting campaigns against drug abuse and substance misuse, participating in disease surveillance and emergency preparedness.

At the conference, a new National Executive Council for the 2026/2027 administration was elected with Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma emerging as National Chairman, Pharm. Adegboyega Oguntoye, National Vice Chairman; Pharm. Obiageri Ethel Ikwu, National Secretary; Pharm. Chioma Chike-Nwankwo, National Assistant Secretary.

Others are Pharm. Roland Tomiwa Rotimi, National Treasurer; Pharm. Giwa Babajide Hammed, National Financial Secretary; Pharm. Luke Atang Bokynyam, National Internal Auditor; Pharm. Samira Abubakar Umar, National Editor-in-Chief; and Pharm. Akpan Tony Anderson, National Publicity Secretary.

Pharm Igwekamma in his remarks pledged to lead a transformative administration focused on strengthening the association and advancing the role of community pharmacists in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Pharm Igwekamma urged the Federal Government to act swiftly on the resolutions reached at the conference, stressing that decisive implementation would help revitalise the health sector, strengthen medicine security and bring affordable, world-class healthcare closer to Nigerians.

The conference was attended by senior figures and veterans of the pharmacy profession, including the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, Chairman, Board of Trustees of ACPN and past PSN President, Pharm. Dr. Chief U. N. O. Uwaga, and past PSN Presidents Pharm. Yaro Budah, Pharm. Azubuike B. Okwor, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, FPSN; and Pharm. Prof. Cyril Usifoh.

Past National Chairmen of ACPN in attendance included Pharm. Deji Osinoiki, Pharm. Williams Etubiebi, Esq.; Pharm. Dr. Ejiro Foyibo, Pharm. Olufemi Adebayo, and Pharm. Dr. Samuel Adekola.