By Esther Onyegbula

The Community Pharmacist Assessment and Career Progression Institute, CPACPI, has secured expanded global support following the endorsement of its professional development framework by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, FIP, marking a major step toward transforming community pharmacy practice in Nigeria and globally.

The endorsement, which was announced during a Stakeholders Engagement Meeting held in Abuja, followed its recognition at the 83rd World Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The engagement, held on March 5 at Newton Park Hotel and Resort, brought together leaders of the pharmacy profession, government regulators, development partners and private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration around the initiative.

CPACPI is widely regarded as the world’s first structured professional framework designed to drive career progression for community pharmacists while repositioning pharmacies as clinical healthcare hubs within the primary healthcare system.

Speaking at the meeting, National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, said community pharmacists remain the most accessible healthcare professionals in Nigeria, noting that nearly 60 per cent of patients often seek help from pharmacists before visiting hospitals.

Ezeh explained that the CPACPI initiative aims to strengthen healthcare delivery by creating a structured system that promotes continuous professional development, competence evaluation and improved service delivery.
He also recalled the role played by community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they provided frontline support and ensured continuous access to medicines for the public.

According to him, the CPACPI framework is designed to evaluate, support and elevate community pharmacy practice while rewarding professional competence and improving job satisfaction within the sector.

Presenting the technical framework of the initiative, Chairman of the CPACPI Board, Dr. Iyeseun Asieba, highlighted the need to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare workforce in the face of growing professional migration, popularly referred to as the “Japa syndrome.”

She noted that transforming community pharmacies into clinical health hubs through targeted investments in training, infrastructure and professional development would help strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and align pharmacy practice with global standards.

Asieba explained that the CPACPI platform introduces standardized professional evaluation across three major pillars, capacity building, quality improvement and career band progression.

Also speaking, Dr. Ibironke Dada outlined quality assurance standards aimed at protecting patients and ensuring consistent professional excellence across community pharmacy practice.
Providing further academic insight, Professor Emeka Ubaka presented a career progression roadmap described by stakeholders as the first of its kind globally.

Ubaka explained that the framework eliminates historical disparities that placed community pharmacy practice at a disadvantage compared to other sectors of the pharmaceutical profession.

Under the CPACPI model, pharmacists will progress through four professional bands, Community Pharmacist, Senior Community Pharmacist, Senior Community Pharmacist Specialist and Consultant Pharmacist.
He said advancement across the levels would depend on deliberate career development, objective assessment and measurable professional competence.

Also speaking, Dr. Peter Agada highlighted the role community pharmacists can play in strengthening primary healthcare by expanding access to disease prevention, treatment and patient care within the public health system.
In recognition of private sector contributions to the initiative, the institute honoured several industry leaders supporting innovation and professional excellence within community pharmacy practice.

Among those recognised were Pharm. Chidi Dozie, CEO of Dozie & Dozie Pharmacy; Pharm. Ikechukwu John Ugwu, CEO of Pharmacare Pharmacy; Hon. Victor Ofobrukueta; Pharm. Josephine Ehimen, CEO of Nett Pharmacy; and Dr. Jaiyesimi Obajimi, CEO of Finrel Pharmacy.
The meeting also received endorsements from the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, including its President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, and the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed.

Also present were members of the ACPN National Executive Committee, state branch leaders and other prominent stakeholders across the pharmaceutical profession.

Development partners and institutional stakeholders at the engagement included the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation, Development Research and Projects Centre, Society for Family Health and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, among others.

Other partners represented included the Howard University Global Initiative Nigeria, Centre for Communication and Social Impact, Population Services International, MSI Reproductive Choices, the Yakubu Gowon Centre and Jhpiego, alongside private sector organisations such as Wella Health and OPay Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the meeting emphasised that the long-term success of the CPACPI framework would depend on sustained collaboration between government institutions, regulatory bodies, development partners and the wider pharmaceutical community.

They therefore called on the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders to provide the legislative, financial and institutional support needed to sustain the initiative.

According to the CPACPI leadership, the structured professional pathway is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery and reposition community pharmacies as centres of clinical excellence within Nigeria’s health system.