As fragmentation within the healthcare sector persists, Mrs Njide Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess Foundation, has urged community pharmacists to embrace digital systems to better connect with other health professionals.
Ndili made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Continuing Education Conference organised by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos Chapter, on Tuesday.
The three-day conference has the theme: “Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice through Technology.”
She noted that community pharmacists are central to the healthcare system, serving as the first point of care, yet remain largely underutilised.
“Community pharmacists are a central pillar in our healthcare system, but they are often neglected. That is why they need to empower themselves with digital systems and technology to connect with the broader healthcare system.
“Nobody can solve the problem in the health sector alone. We must collaborate across sectors and with other health professionals to develop systems that work for all of us,” she said.
Ndili, who is also the President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), emphasised the need to nurture young professionals to help shape policies that will strengthen the healthcare system.
She commended the association for organising the programme aimed at educating and uniting members to enhance their knowledge.
Also speaking, the Chairman of ACPN Lagos Chapter, Mr Tolulope Ajayi, said the flagship programme was initiated to educate members on the importance of integrating technology for improved effectiveness.
According to Ajayi, community pharmacists are recognised as critical healthcare providers and are fully integrated into primary care systems in advanced countries, hence the need for Nigeria to adopt similar practices.
“Embracing digital technology is crucial to enhancing the efficiency and contributions of community pharmacists to the healthcare system.
“I urge my colleagues to be intentional about scaling their practice through deliberate collaboration, technology adoption, and renewed focus on public health activities,” he said.
Ajayi noted that for Nigeria’s healthcare system to improve, community pharmacists must be fully integrated to strengthen community-based care.
“Community pharmacists are not just dispensers of drugs; they provide essential healthcare services and should be fully integrated into the primary healthcare system.
“This integration should include strong referral systems between pharmacists and secondary healthcare facilities, with clear feedback mechanisms to ensure continuity of care,” he said.
The Chairman of the conference, Mr Ike Onyechi, also a pharmacist, advised practitioners to be proactive and adopt technology at a pace they can manage to improve their practice.
“A pharmacist should start from where he or she can, because you cannot expect every pharmacist to adopt a full ERP system immediately.
“They can begin with proper documentation and gradually transition to digital platforms. Once your activities are digitised, you have a track record,” he said.
Onyechi, who is the CEO of Alpha Pharmacy, also urged pharmacists to source medicines from credible suppliers to ensure public safety.
“NAFDAC is working to combat fake and counterfeit drugs, but pharmacists must also play their part by buying from the right sources.
“If you patronise the wrong channels in pursuit of higher profit, you risk obtaining fake drugs. However, sourcing from the right channels gives about a 99 per cent assurance that the medicines are genuine.
“So, pharmacists must continue to follow proper channels and maintain professional standards,” he said.
