Pharmacists, Policymakers Converge on Healthcare Access at ACPN Unity 2026
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has announced plans to bring together political leaders, healthcare policymakers, regulators, development partners and pharmaceutical experts at its 45th Annual International Scientific Conference, Unity 2026, as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare, strengthen Nigeria’s health system and accelerate the attainment of universal health coverage.
The conference, scheduled to hold from July 27 to August 1, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, will be held under the theme: “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems.”
Organisers said the week-long conference would provide a platform for government officials, healthcare professionals, regulators, industry leaders and development partners to deepen collaboration on critical issues affecting healthcare delivery, pharmaceutical supply chains, regulation, local drug production and access to quality medicines.
Activities will commence on July 27 with a nationwide health insurance awareness walk themed “Health Insurance for All: Leaving No One Behind,” to be led by the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, alongside the ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma.
The awareness campaign is expected to attract pharmacists, policymakers, healthcare professionals and members of the public in a bid to increase awareness of and participation in Nigeria’s health insurance scheme.
As part of the conference programme, Dr. Ohiri will deliver a presentation titled “Leveraging NHIA–Community Pharmacists Collaboration as a Catalyst for Universal Health Coverage,” where he is expected to outline strategies for strengthening partnerships between community pharmacists and the health insurance system to improve access to affordable healthcare services.
Also expected to address participants is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, who will speak on “Healthcare System Strengthening and Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” with a focus on building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable healthcare system.
The conference has also attracted a lineup of senior government officials and policymakers, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, among other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Pharm. Chidi Dozie, said preparations had been concluded to host local and international delegates for what is expected to be one of Africa’s largest gatherings of community pharmacists.
According to him, the conference will serve as a strategic platform for regulators, policymakers, healthcare practitioners, researchers, industry leaders and development partners to examine emerging trends and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical practice.
“The participation of senior government officials reflects the growing recognition of community pharmacists as indispensable stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare architecture,” Dozie said.
“This gathering offers a unique opportunity to translate professional recommendations into actionable policies capable of improving healthcare access, strengthening national health security and delivering better health outcomes for Nigerians.”
He added that participants would gain practical insights into strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains, improving operational efficiency, managing risks, navigating evolving healthcare regulations and enhancing the sustainability of pharmacy practice.
Dozie stressed the need for stronger institutional frameworks that would protect investments in the pharmaceutical sector while promoting innovation and sustainable healthcare delivery.
The ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, described Unity 2026 as a defining moment for the pharmacy profession and an opportunity to reposition community pharmacists as central players in Nigeria’s healthcare transformation.
He noted that pharmacists have assumed increasingly important responsibilities in expanding access to healthcare over the past decade and should be fully integrated into grassroots healthcare delivery, preventive care and rural health development initiatives.
“Our expectation for Unity 2026 goes beyond professional discussions. We intend to develop a practical roadmap that will strengthen community pharmacy practice and position pharmacists as key contributors to healthcare policy, primary healthcare delivery and national development,” he said.
Igwekamma also highlighted ACPN’s ongoing implementation of the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI), a framework endorsed by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to provide structured pathways for professional development, competency enhancement and career progression.
He reiterated the association’s call for the formal recognition of community pharmacies as primary healthcare centres, arguing that their accessibility, widespread presence and frontline role in healthcare delivery make them strategic assets in achieving universal health coverage.
Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director of Evans Therapeutics Limited, Pharm. Adewale Oyenuga, is expected to examine issues relating to pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain resilience and regulatory compliance.
According to him, strengthening local pharmaceutical production and aligning Nigeria’s regulatory standards with global best practices are critical to guaranteeing access to quality medicines, improving medicine security and safeguarding public health.
Also speaking on the significance of the conference, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, described the gathering as a landmark event for the profession.
He said pharmacists must continue to combine technical expertise with active engagement in public policy to influence healthcare governance, strengthen primary healthcare systems and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s health and development agenda.
Organisers said Unity 2026 will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, technical sessions, exhibitions and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration, encourage innovation and generate practical policy recommendations for strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.