FCT Community Pharmacists Present Scorecard, Plan Membership Drive

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has reaffirmed confidence in its executive committee following the presentation of its annual stewardship report covering May 2025 to May 2026.

After the exercise in Abuja, the branch’s chairman, Maduekwe Chimaeze Precious, said the leadership remained committed to protecting the interests of community pharmacists through sustained advocacy, collaboration and improved members’ engagement.

He explained that the report’s presentation was in line with the association’s constitution, which mandates the executive to render an account of its activities after one year in office.

“Today, according to our constitution and by-laws, after one year, we are expected to render an account of what we have done for the association both financially and administratively, and that is what we have done,” he said.

Maduekwe noted that the branch would intensify engagement with government agencies and other stakeholders to tackle challenges of community pharmacy practice in the FCT.

According to him, the association would continue its dialogue and advocacy with relevant authorities while also exploring legal options, where necessary, to defend members’ interests.

He disclosed plans to attract more pharmacists into the association’s activities through advocacy programmes, sensitisation campaigns and increased engagement with members.

The chairman urged members to remain united, stressing that collective action was necessary to address professional and practice-related challenges confronting community pharmacists.

Highlights of the annual secretariat report presented by assistant secretary, Inya Joseph Oko, showed that the branch conducted four bi-monthly general meetings and eight executive committee meetings within the period under review.

The report also stated that the branch participated in several national activities, including the ACPN National Conference in Awka, Anambra State tagged “Ifeadigo 2025,” NEC meetings and preparations for the 45th ACPN National Conference, “Unity 2026.”

It added that the branch participated in recent activities organised by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), including the destruction of expired, substandard, and unwholesome food products and medicines at the agency’s dump site in Kuje, Abuja.

Other activities highlighted in the report included advocacy visits to the Federal Ministry of Health, the FCT Police Command and the Department of Operations of the FCT Administration, as well as condolence visits to members.

The secretariat, however, identified inadequate funding, incomplete membership data, a shortage of office tools and logistics challenges as major constraints affecting its operations.

It recommended improved funding, the development of a structured digital database for members, the timely submission of committee reports, and the provision of administrative tools to enhance operational efficiency.