On the 11th of February 2025, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria – Young Pharmacists Group (PSN-YPG) paid a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharmacist Ezeh Ambrose. The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between PSN-YPG and ACPN, address key issues affecting young pharmacists, and seek mentorship and support for professional development.
Attendees
- Pharmacist Ezeh Ambrose – ACPN National Chairman
- Pharmacist Omokhafe Asore – ACPN National General Secretary
- Pharmacist Tekena George – PSN-YPG National Chairman
- Pharmacist Stephanie Obibi – PSN-YPG Lagos State Coordinator
- Pharmacist Nwofia Martins – PSN-YPG National Financial Secretary
- Pharmacist Nwabunwanne – Former Treasurer, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Egemonye Christopher – General Secretary, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Chisom Paul – Coordinator, Projects Committee, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Adun Osagie – Coordinator, Internal Committee, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Titilayo Akinlose – Assistant Coordinator, Education and Training Committee, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Iloh Kennedy – Public Relations Officer, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Oyewale Deborah – Coordinator, Public Health Committee, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Ureh Dibani – Financial Secretary, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Sultan Yusuf
- Pharmacist Odinaka Mbionwu – Member, Education and Training Committee, PSN-YPG Lagos
- Pharmacist Charles – Staff, ACPN National Secretariat
Opening Remarks and Key Issues Raised
The PSN-YPG National Chairman, Pharmacist Tekena George, commenced the meeting by recognizing the invaluable contributions of ACPN to the pharmacy profession and the professional development of young pharmacists. He congratulated the ACPN National Chairman on his election and commended the progress of his tenure so far.
He then presented several key concerns affecting young pharmacists, including:
- Limited Internship Placements
- Highlighted the insufficient number of community pharmacies accredited for internship training.
- The Issue of ‘Register and Go’
- Addressed the malpractice where pharmacists open premises with their licenses but do not supervise them.
- Proposed standardized remuneration as a potential solution.
- Increased Involvement of Young Pharmacists in ACPN Activities
- Sought ACPN’s support to encourage young pharmacists’ participation in national conferences, training programs, and events.
- Collaboration in Public Health Advocacy
- Proposed joint initiatives on vaccination programs, public health awareness campaigns, and other health advocacy efforts.
- Mentorship and Professional Support
- Requested ACPN’s guidance in fostering mentorship opportunities for young pharmacists.
Interactive Session
Following these discussions, Pharmacist Stephanie Obibi, the PSN-YPG Lagos State Coordinator, emphasized the need for improved relationships between community pharmacy owners and interns. She proposed a structured collaboration between ACPN and PSN-YPG to ensure the fair treatment and welfare of young pharmacists while also ensuring that community pharmacy owners benefit from their interns’ contributions.
Response from the ACPN National Chairman
The ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ezeh Ambrose, addressed the concerns raised, providing insights and potential solutions:
- Mentorship and Professional Development
- Encouraged young pharmacists to proactively seek mentorship from experienced pharmacists, highlighting the strong professional ‘family’ culture within the industry.
- Integrity and Ethical Leadership
- Advised young pharmacists to uphold ethical standards and avoid electoral misconduct, including undue sponsorships and financial incentives from political candidates.
- Internship Placement Expansion
- Announced that ACPN is actively working on registering over 50 new internship centers, including the ACPN National Secretariat.
- Tasked PSN-YPG National with providing data on the current state of internship placements.
- Addressing ‘Register and Go’
- Urged young pharmacists to maintain integrity and avoid unethical practices in the profession.
- Standardized Salary Packages
- Explained that while a uniform national salary structure may not be feasible due to economic variations across states, ACPN is open to collaborating with PSN-YPG to address welfare concerns and ensure fair compensation.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Stressed the importance of data collection and analysis in policy formulation and career progression for community pharmacists.
Additional Contributions
The ACPN National General Secretary, Pharmacist Omokhafe Asore, encouraged young pharmacists to actively contribute to their workplaces, demonstrating value to their employers. She also reiterated the importance of mentorship and ethical conduct in professional practice.
Closing Remarks and Next Steps
The PSN-YPG National Chairman expressed appreciation for the ACPN leadership’s support and constructive feedback. He emphasized the need for an open communication channel between ACPN and PSN-YPG National to foster collaboration.
Additionally, he:
- Requested ACPN’s support in establishing a PSN-YPG community pharmacy.
- Sought ACPN’s partnership and sponsorship for the upcoming PSN-YPG National Conference in Kano.
- Highlighted key events planned for the conference, to which the ACPN National Chairman responded positively, pledging support.
The meeting concluded on a productive note, with mutual commitments to strengthen cooperation between ACPN and PSN-YPG, ensuring the growth and development of young pharmacists in Nigeria.