By Our Correspondent
National News – The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State chapter, has called for continuous education and technology integration to enhance healthcare delivery.
Pharmacists emphasized expanding their roles beyond traditional drug dispensing to include clinical consultation, immunization, and patient counselling.
This was highlighted at the 2026 ACPN Continuing Education Conference, themed “Advancing community pharmacy practice through technology, collaboration and expanded services.”
The conference, attended by healthcare experts and stakeholders, stressed the importance of digital innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning in improving patient outcomes.
ACPN Lagos Chairman, Tolulope Ajayi, said the platform allows pharmacists to share knowledge, foster partnerships, and discuss strategies for better healthcare delivery.
He added that community pharmacies are accessible and should be leveraged to support primary healthcare systems through structured referral and feedback mechanisms.
Ajayi noted that modern pharmacy practice has evolved to include broader clinical roles, requiring integration of digital tools such as electronic health records, barcode systems, and artificial intelligence to improve decision-making and patient safety.
“Technology helps track disease patterns, support research, and make informed healthcare decisions,” he said.
Seye Agboola, CEO of Dortemag Ventures, encouraged pharmacists to adopt digital tools, especially AI, to stay relevant.
“Collaboration and technology adoption are crucial for growth and better patient outcomes,” he said.
Similarly, Ibukun Tola-Ogunyemi, Managing Director of Pontisalus Pharmacy, highlighted rising demand for evidence-based wellness products, stressing pharmacists’ role as gatekeepers against unverified remedies.
Facilitator Samson Omattah explained how AI-powered decision support systems and telepharmacy are improving service delivery and patient engagement.
He further urged pharmacies to train staff in digital skills, enabling efficient use of technology for safer and more effective healthcare services.
Participants agreed that the future of community pharmacy in Nigeria depends on continuous professional development, technology adoption, and stronger collaboration across the healthcare value chain, ensuring responsive and patient-centered care.
