The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called for stronger collaboration between community pharmacists and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to combat the growing threat of counterfeit and substandard medicines in Nigeria.
Akume made the call while receiving the leadership of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), led by its National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, during a courtesy visit in Abuja. He also accepted an invitation to serve as Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the ACPN's 45th Annual International Scientific Conference.
The conference, themed “From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems,” and tagged “Unity 2026,” is scheduled to hold at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Describing community pharmacists as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare system, the SGF said their close interaction with communities places them in a strategic position to help identify and prevent the circulation of fake medicines.
He noted that counterfeit drugs remain a major public health challenge and stressed the need for stronger cooperation among regulators, healthcare professionals, manufacturers and the public to tackle the menace.
The SGF’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts by NAFDAC to strengthen enforcement against counterfeit medicines, including the establishment of a special task force in Kano State to dismantle illegal drug markets and disrupt the distribution of fake pharmaceutical products.
Akume also encouraged pharmacists to promote local pharmaceutical manufacturing through international partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives, citing Uganda’s progress in domestic drug production as a model worth emulating.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to healthcare reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he said efforts were ongoing to improve access to quality healthcare through investments in medical infrastructure and expanded opportunities for students in health-related disciplines.
Earlier, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh, said the visit was to formally invite the SGF to the association’s annual conference, which will bring together policymakers, regulators, healthcare professionals, academics and industry leaders to discuss issues affecting pharmacy practice and healthcare delivery.
Ezeh thanked the SGF for supporting the association’s campaign against counterfeit medicines and pledged continued collaboration with NAFDAC and other regulatory agencies to safeguard public health.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, called for stronger cooperation among healthcare professionals to improve patient care, strengthen pharmacy practice and boost local pharmaceutical production.
The meeting highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with professional bodies to eliminate counterfeit medicines, enhance local drug manufacturing and improve healthcare delivery across the country.