By Chioma Obinna

Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have endorsed a new professional development framework aimed at transforming community pharmacies into frontline healthcare hubs within the country’s primary healthcare system.

The endorsement followed a strategic stakeholder engagement meeting convened by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, and the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI) in Abuja.

Participants at the meeting formally adopted the CPACPI framework as a structured career progression pathway for community pharmacists, describing it as a major step toward strengthening pharmaceutical care and improving access to healthcare services across Nigeria.

The engagement, held at Newton Park Hotels & Resort, brought together about 100 stakeholders from government institutions, regulatory agencies, development partners, professional bodies and private sector organisations.

Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the World Health Organization were among those in attendance.

In his welcome address, National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, said community pharmacists remain the most accessible healthcare professionals in the country.

According to him, nearly 60 per cent of patients seek healthcare advice from pharmacists before visiting hospitals, underscoring the strategic role of community pharmacies in expanding healthcare access.
Ezeh explained that the CPACPI model was designed to evaluate, support and elevate community pharmacy practice while improving competence, professional confidence and job satisfaction among pharmacists.

Stakeholders noted that the absence of a standardized competency framework had historically limited the growth and impact of community pharmacists in Nigeria.
To address this gap, CPACPI introduced a five-level professional pathway comprising Community Pharmacist, Senior Community Pharmacist, Community Pharmacy Specialist, Community Pharmacy Senior Specialist and Community Pharmacy Consultant.

The progression model links career advancement to measurable clinical outcomes, mentorship and structured professional appraisal.

Participants also noted that the framework aligns with Nigeria’s broader health priorities, including efforts to achieve universal health coverage and strengthen the country’s health data systems.

Deliberations at the meeting also highlighted the expanding role of community pharmacists in addressing healthcare access gaps, particularly in underserved communities.
Stakeholders emphasized the need to strengthen data reporting from community pharmacies to support national health planning and improve integration with the health information system.

They further agreed that the CPACPI platform could help expand the delivery of maternal, reproductive and child health services at community pharmacy level.

A total of 32 National CPACPI Champions from both the public and private sectors were recognised for their contributions to advancing pharmacy practice and supporting the institute.

The champions, particularly owners of chain pharmacies, were encouraged to promote enrolment in the CPACPI programme and support nationwide professional development for community pharmacists.

The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting called for stronger institutional collaboration between government agencies, regulators, development partners and the private sector to ensure the successful implementation of the CPACPI initiative.
Stakeholders also urged relevant legislative authorities to provide policy support needed to sustain the framework.

They said institutionalising a structured professional development pathway for community pharmacists would help reposition community pharmacies as critical providers of quality healthcare services within Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.