FG urged to adopt Pharmacy First Initiative for health coverage

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), has called on the Federal Government to adopt and invest in the Pharmacy First Initiative (PFI) as part of efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.

The association said properly structured community pharmacies could serve as accessible first points of care for Nigerians, particularly in the management of uncomplicated illnesses and provision of essential medicines, thereby reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary health facilities.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ezeh Ambrose, and National Secretary, Obiageri Ikwu, the ACPN said UHC remained a critical pathway to ensuring quality, equitable and people-centred healthcare.

It urged governments at all levels to integrate community pharmacies into primary healthcare delivery and create an enabling environment for pharmacists to provide expanded services at community level.

The association said community pharmacists should move beyond dispensing medicines to providing basic screening for uncomplicated non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as counselling and advocacy on malaria, antenatal care, family planning, smoking cessation and wellness.

It also called for proper documentation and data collection from such services to strengthen evidence-based advocacy and guide policy decisions.

According to the ACPN, Nigeria’s healthcare transformation is being hindered by gaps in policy and political leadership, evidence and digital transformation, quality improvement, and collaboration.

It said the country’s response should be anchored on five pillars: a common vision; quality that inspires trust; digital and data-driven practice; stronger partnerships with primary healthcare; and collaboration with health insurers.

The association further urged community pharmacists to embrace new practice and business models, invest in scaling their services and work with relevant stakeholders to advance Good Pharmacy Practice.

It said the federal and state governments should draw lessons from countries that have expanded the role of community pharmacies in healthcare delivery, citing the United Kingdom as a benchmark.

The ACPN said the UK relied extensively on community pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic, with government support reportedly including £300 million to strengthen pharmacy services when many general practice surgeries were unavailable to patients.

It contrasted this with Nigeria, where, according to the association, community pharmacists continued providing accessible and affordable services during the pandemic without comparable government financial support or recognition.

The association also pointed to a £340 million investment announced in May 2026 to expand pharmacy-based treatment in England, describing it as an extension of the Pharmacy First model aimed at reducing pressure on general practice.

The ACPN therefore called on President Bola Tinubu and state governments to establish a long-sought Presidential Committee on the pharmaceutical sector to examine the Pharmacy First model and other reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria’s health system.

The association said greater use of community pharmacies could expand access to basic healthcare while creating a more resilient and patient-centred health system.

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