BOF Chairman, Apakama Seeks NHIA Recognition for Community Pharmacists, Pushes Greater Role in Health Policy
ABUJA — The Chairman of the Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) and Chief Executive Officer of PAXS Pharmaceutical Limited, Pharmacist Uchenna Uzoma Apakama, has called on the Federal Government and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to formally recognise community pharmacists as primary healthcare providers under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), saying the policy would significantly expand healthcare access and accelerate Nigeria's pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Apakama made the call on Tuesday at the ongoing National Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), being held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, where he urged policymakers to move beyond acknowledging the contributions of community pharmacists to embedding their roles in healthcare legislation and national policy frameworks.
The conference attracted an array of high-ranking government officials and key healthcare stakeholders, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Other distinguished attendees included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji; and Niger State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana.
Describing community pharmacists as the most accessible healthcare professionals in Nigeria, Apakama said they provide critical frontline services in patient care, medication counselling, disease prevention, health promotion and medication safety. He maintained that their strategic presence in communities positions them as indispensable partners in strengthening the nation's primary healthcare system.
He appealed to the NHIA and the Federal Government to designate community pharmacies as recognised primary healthcare providers and official enrolment centres under the national health insurance programme, arguing that such recognition would substantially increase enrolment beyond the current estimated 22 million Nigerians covered by the scheme. "Community pharmacists occupy a strategic position in Nigeria's healthcare system. These roles must be recognised if Nigeria is to achieve universal health coverage," he said.
The BOF Chairman commended the organisers for choosing the conference theme, "From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems," describing it as timely and reflective of the evolving responsibilities of pharmacists in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. He also expressed satisfaction with the commendations community pharmacists received from dignitaries at the conference, urging governments at all levels to translate those endorsements into concrete policy reforms, legislation and institutional support.
According to Apakama, pharmacists must move beyond merely implementing government policies to actively influencing healthcare reforms through advocacy, strategic partnerships and evidence-based engagement with policymakers. "The decisions that shape healthcare are influenced by policy, politics, regulation, economics, technology and other complex systems. Pharmacists must therefore be prepared to engage these systems constructively," he stated, adding that the Board of Fellows stands ready to work with both the Executive and Legislature in advancing policies that strengthen pharmaceutical practice and improve healthcare delivery.
He also applauded the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), its technical groups and ACPN for sustaining nationwide campaigns against drug and substance abuse, warning that the menace continues to fuel criminal activities and undermine public safety. He described the ACPN National Drug Abuse Campaign (NADAC) debate held during the conference as a commendable initiative that demonstrates the profession's commitment to protecting public health and promoting national security.
Apakama further called for stronger collaboration among ACPN, PSN, regulatory agencies, government institutions, academia, the pharmaceutical industry and other healthcare professionals to build a more united and influential pharmacy profession. He equally appealed to government agencies, healthcare institutions, chief executives and community pharmacy operators to create more internship opportunities for newly inducted pharmacists, while commending ACPN's support for the National Internship Placement Programme being championed by the PSN in collaboration with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).
He concluded by urging pharmacists to transform excellence achieved in community pharmacy practice into innovations and policy initiatives capable of influencing healthcare beyond Nigeria's borders. Reaffirming the Board of Fellows' commitment to supporting ACPN's vision, Apakama encouraged participants to leverage the conference to develop practical solutions that will strengthen pharmaceutical practice, deepen healthcare reforms and position Nigeria's pharmacy profession as a globally respected force in advancing quality healthcare.
