Community pharmacists in Lagos State have joined hands with the Nigerian Police Force to improve access to healthcare and promote universal health coverage.
The partnership is also aimed at building trust between pharmacists and security officers, ensuring better cooperation between the two professions.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) announced the partnership on Tuesday during a free medical outreach held at Area F Police Command, Ikeja. The programme was part of the 2025 Lagos State Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Scientific Week.
During the outreach, police officers received free health checks, including tests for blood sugar and blood pressure. They also got medicines, lifestyle counselling, and health education.
Speaking on behalf of the ACPN Lagos Chairman, Tolu Ajayi, the Ikeja Zonal Coordinator, Imade Roy-Ekekwe, said the programme was designed to improve the health and productivity of police officers.
She explained that the theme of the programme, “Community Pharmacists Partnering with the NPF for Equitable Access to Health towards Universal Health Coverage,” showed the important role pharmacists play in healthcare and national security.
“The police protect us from insecurity, while pharmacists protect our health,” she said. “If police officers are healthy, they can secure the community better. And if the community is safe, people can visit pharmacies freely.”
She also urged the police to support the association’s efforts against quackery in the pharmacy sector.
Former ACPN Lagos chairman, Abiola Paul-Ozieh, added that the outreach was not only about healthcare but also about strengthening advocacy and collaboration.
Paul-Ozieh, who is also the chairman of the Health Care Providers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, said: “Pharmacists are friends of the police. We don’t want harassment or suspicion when we transport medicines. We ask the police to respect our profession and work with us. When there are cases of fake or illegal drugs, we always rely on the police to help.”
In her lecture, Ngozi Inekwe advised officers to avoid using stimulants or alcohol to stay alert.
“Stimulants and opioids may make officers feel sharp at first, but in the long run they damage judgment. That is dangerous for both the officers and the public,” she said, urging them to adopt healthier lifestyles.
CSP Shedrack Oriloye, the Area Crime Officer at Area F, who represented the Area Commander, praised ACPN for the initiative.
“We are happy that ACPN brought this health programme to our station. Health is very important. A healthy officer is a productive officer. If you are not healthy, you cannot perform your duties well,” he said, promising continued partnership with pharmacists.
