… As ACPN holds 2026 Continuing Education Conference
By Chioma Obinna

Pharmaceutical giants and stakeholders in the health sector on Tuesday lamented Nigeria’s healthcare system is failing millions of patients as fragmentation, poor data capture and weak integration of frontline providers continue to drive misdiagnosis, limit access to funding and weaken treatment outcomes.

Speaking at the 2026 Continuing Education Conference of the Lagos State branch of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, the stakeholders at the conference stressed that the absence of structured documentation and referral systems is contributing to misdiagnosis and poor treatment outcomes across the country.

Delivering her keynote address at the event themed: Advancing Community Pharmacy Practice through Technology, Collaboration and Expanded Services”, the Country Director of PharmAccess Nigeria, Dr. Njide Ndili, who raised the alarm stressed the need for urgent reforms anchored on digitalization, collaboration and system-wide integration.

“One of the most pressing failures is the disconnect between community pharmacies, often the first point of care and the formal healthcare system.

“In reality, when many Nigerians fall ill, the first place they go is the pharmacy. That may not be the formal pathway, but that is what happens. The pharmacy is the closest healthcare point to most citizens, yet it is not properly integrated into the system”, Ndili said.

Ndili who is also the President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, HFN, warned that this disconnect has created a fragmented care pathway where critical patient data is lost, services are undocumented and health outcomes are compromised.

“Whatever happens in your pharmacy stays there. Nobody collects the data, nobody documents the services, and nobody has a full picture of what is happening,” she said.

She noted that without point-of-care testing, standard guidelines and clear referral pathways, many patients receive inappropriate treatment at the first point of contact.

“When patient interactions are not recorded, the system cannot detect patterns or respond early to outbreaks. When your transactions are not documented, you cannot demonstrate performance. That makes it difficult to access financing,” she said.

She emphasised that digital tools for inventory management, patient records and financial tracking are essential not only for improving care but also for unlocking funding opportunities.

“Artificial intelligence depends on data, but much of the data being used in Africa comes from other regions. If we do not digitise and generate our own local data, the solutions we adopt will not be effective for our environment.”

She urged pharmacies and other providers to begin adopting digital systems, even at basic levels, to build a foundation for future innovation.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and CEO of Alpha Pharmacy, Pharm. Ike Onyechi, said pharmacists must begin with simple steps to improve their practice, particularly in documentation and gradual adoption of technology.

“Technology starts with proper record-keeping, knowing your stock, documenting patients, recording diagnosis and treatment,” Onyechi said. “Many pharmacists miss opportunities because their work is not documented.”

He also cautioned against the dangers of counterfeit medicines, urging pharmacists to maintain strict supply chain standards.

“If you source drugs from the wrong channels because of profit, you risk fake medicines. But when you use proper supply chains, there is about a 99 per cent chance the medicines are genuine,” he said.

The Chairman of ACPN Lagos, Pharm. Tolulope Ajayi, said the conference reflects the urgent need for the profession to evolve in response to changing healthcare demands.

“With digital and innovative opportunities shaping every sector, healthcare cannot be left behind.
“Pharmacists must scale their practice through collaboration, technology and stronger public health engagement,” Ajayi said.

He further emphasised the need for prompt policy implementation to achieve desired outcomes. He called on the Lagos State government to immediately inaugurate the federal task force for counterfeit and unwholesome drugs stressing the dangers associated with running a healthcare system with drugs whose genuineness cannot be ascertained. Interestingly, many states of the federation have inaugurated theirs in a bid to complement the efforts of the regulators in sanitizing the drug distribution system.
Chairperson of the planning committee, Dr. Evelyn Brambifa, added that pharmacy practice must move beyond traditional dispensing roles.

“Pharmacy is no longer just about counting tablets. It is about expanding services, embracing technology and collaborating to deliver better healthcare outcomes,” she said.

“Countries may give aid, but what truly transforms systems is technology and technical assistance.”
She warned that unless the country fixes fragmentation, strengthens data systems and integrates community-level providers, the healthcare system will continue to underperform.

“The solution is clear digitalisation, quality assurance, financing and collaboration. If we get this right, we will improve access, reduce pressure on hospitals and ultimately save lives,” she said.