By: Manoah Kikekon
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has called for a intensified nationwide crackdown on counterfeit medicines, urging the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to forge a tighter alliance with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to purge fake drugs from the nation's supply chain.
Senator Akume made the call in Abuja while receiving the national leadership of the ACPN, led by its National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh. During the courtesy visit, the delegation formally invited the SGF to serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the ACPN’s upcoming 45th Annual International Scientific Conference, tagged “Unity 2026”.
The high-profile conference, themed "From Local Pharmacy Practice to Global Impact: Managing Complex Political Systems," is scheduled to hold at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Praising community pharmacists as irreplaceable pillars of the Nigerian healthcare architecture, Senator Akume emphasized that their strategic grassroots presence places them at the forefront of the battle against substandard pharmaceuticals.
"The menace of fake drugs continues to pose a serious danger to the health and well-being of Nigerians," the SGF warned. "You must join hands with NAFDAC in checking this menace because it is a responsibility that demands the support of all of us. While NAFDAC is doing a great deal, it also requires the active collaboration of professional bodies such as the ACPN."
The SGF's remarks align with NAFDAC’s aggressive ongoing enforcement maneuvers, including specialized task forces deployed to dismantle illicit drug markets and curb sub-standard distribution networks. He noted that community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to intercept fake medications before they reach vulnerable citizens.
Shifting focus to industrial independence, Senator Akume challenged Nigerian pharmaceutical professionals to leverage international partnerships and technical exchanges to boost domestic drug manufacturing. Citing successful models from comparative African nations like Uganda, he stressed the urgency of scaling up local production capacity.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s dedication to sweeping health sector reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s *Renewed Hope Agenda*, the SGF assured the delegation of sustained administrative backing for policies prioritizing public health safety and universal health coverage (UHC).
In his remarks, ACPN National Chairman Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh explained that the annual flagship conference will convene policymakers, regulators, international experts, and industry leaders to map out the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Pharm. Ezeh noted that modern community pharmacy practice has evolved far beyond traditional drug dispensing, with practitioners acting as critical primary healthcare providers integral to disease prevention and medicine safety.
"Our community pharmacists are committed to strengthening strategic collaboration with NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies to safeguard public health and eliminate counterfeit products," Ezeh affirmed.