The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), FCT, has announced plans to form a robust alliance with its regulatory bodies to combat quackery and eliminate charlatans from the profession.
The newly elected chairman of the chapter, Mr Aloba Isaac, made this known on Saturday in Abuja during the inauguration of the new executive committee, which will lead the branch for the next three years.
Speaking with journalists at the event, Isaac highlighted that his administration would enforce stringent penalties for anyone found guilty of quackery within the community pharmacy sector.
“We are regulated by established bodies. To eliminate quacks and charlatans in community pharmacy, we must continue to strengthen these regulatory bodies and build strong alliances with them and other relevant agencies,” Isaac said. “We will ensure severe penalties are enforced against offenders. If you are penalised once and again, a second time, by the third time, you will have no choice but to leave the profession once the system catches up with you. It will be a matter of survival of the fittest, and we will pursue this vigorously to ensure that charlatans are brought to justice.”
Isaac also emphasised the association’s commitment to providing young people with employment opportunities, rather than allowing them to remain idle on the streets.
His administration will focus on encouraging members to serve as mentors to the next generation of pharmacists, helping young professionals to set the pace for future contributions to society.
Financial Empowerment and Unity
Additionally, Isaac revealed that the new leadership would work towards creating sustainable financial empowerment for members, including offering loans, while also fostering unity, love, and a collective voice within the association.
“As an investment policy for the association, we will disburse loans to members to prioritise their welfare and growth,” Isaac explained. “If our members are not sound mentally, physically, and financially, they will not be in the best position to serve their communities. Ultimately, community pharmacy is about serving society.”
He further called on the government to introduce policies that would offer better financial support to community pharmacists, including access to loans, to help them grow their businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
Isaac voiced his strong support for the policy harmonisation drive championed by President Bola Tinubu, which aims to strengthen local production of medicines, drugs, and vaccines. He urged the government to ensure that loans are made available to help businesses thrive and grow the economy, calling on financial institutions to align with this goal.
In his valedictory address, the immediate past Chairman of the branch thanked members for the opportunity to serve. He acknowledged the achievements of his administration and urged the new leadership to surpass these milestones.
Dr Yusuf Dantalle, the keynote speaker at the event, also addressed members, urging them to prioritise patient safety and always put health and well-being first, as the profession involves human lives. He further encouraged members to refrain from selling fake and substandard drugs and stressed the importance of maintaining the Community Pharmacists Association’s respected reputation.
