The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has officially announced the 44th Annual International Conference, set to take place from Monday, July 22 to Saturday, July 27, 2025, in Awka, Anambra State, with the theme: “Technology Integration, Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice.”
In a press release issued by the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, the conference is expected to attract over 3,000 delegates including local and international pharmacists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, academics, researchers, and innovators in digital health.
Pharm. Igwekamma emphasized that the theme is both timely and strategic, as it addresses the urgent need to reposition community pharmacy practice through technology adoption and personalized care models. He noted that the profession must evolve in response to the rising expectations of a tech-savvy and wellness-conscious population.
“Embracing innovations such as telepharmacy, artificial intelligence, electronic health records, and point-of-care testing is no longer optional—it is imperative,” he said.
Beyond professional advancement, the ACPN Chair raised serious concerns about the resurgence of fake, substandard, and unwholesome drugs and drinks in circulation across the country. Citing historical data and recent trends, Pharm. Igwekamma warned that Nigeria may have regressed to an era where over 50% of drugs on the market are counterfeit or substandard, a spike he attributed to weakened regulatory enforcement and inactive state task forces.
He recounted key milestones in the fight against fake drugs, including the landmark collaboration between NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in January 2024 to shut down the notorious Sabon-Geri drug market following the inauguration of Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Kano.
“The CWCs are designed to replace open drug markets and sanitize the distribution system in line with the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) of 2015,” he explained.
Pharm. Igwekamma urged the National Assembly to amend the Fake Drug and Unwholesome Food Act, describing it as a necessary legislative move to equip regulators with greater powers and resources to clamp down on counterfeiters and rogue vendors. He warned that the burgeoning trade in fake alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages had become a “tens-of-billion-naira industry run by merchants of death.”
Key highlights of the 2025 conference will include:
A “Walk Against Fake and Counterfeit Medicines”
Keynote speeches and technical sessions on pharmacy innovation
Workshops on regulatory frameworks, tech adoption, and entrepreneurship
The ACPN Exhibition Expo, featuring tech firms, manufacturers, and startups
A cultural night, gala awards, and leadership roundtables
The ACPN expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Anambra State for their warm reception and robust support for the upcoming conference.
In closing, Pharm. Igwekamma called on community pharmacists, healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, development partners, and policymakers to unite behind a vision for a resilient, technology-driven, and patient-focused pharmacy ecosystem in Nigeria.
“Together, we shall build a community pharmacy model that delivers impact through innovation and compassion,” he concluded.
