By Chioma Obinna
The Affiliation of Neighborhood Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, yesterday reaffirmed that neighborhood pharmacies are legally recognised well being amenities in Nigeria, following a current public debate on the scope of providers offered inside pharmacy apply.
In a press assertion collectively signed by its Nationwide Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh and Nationwide Secretary
Omokhafe Ashoreleadership, the ACPN responded to feedback credited to the President of the Nationwide Affiliation of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, which raised considerations about diagnostic actions inside pharmacy premises.
The ACPN described the feedback as a misunderstanding of present well being insurance policies and regulatory frameworks guiding pharmacy apply in Nigeria.
In accordance with the affiliation, neighborhood pharmacies function inside clearly outlined authorized {and professional} boundaries and stay topic to oversight by related regulatory authorities.
The pharmacists’ physique famous that point-of-care testing, significantly the usage of Speedy Diagnostic Take a look at (RDT) kits for circumstances reminiscent of malaria, is inspired by the Federal Ministry of Well being as a part of nationwide illness management methods.
The affiliation defined that confirming malaria an infection earlier than meting out antimalarial medicines aligns with the Nationwide Malaria Coverage and helps to stop drug misuse and resistance.
“Neighborhood pharmacies play a crucial position in safeguarding sufferers by making certain rational drug use, particularly for widespread circumstances that account for a big proportion of outpatient visits,” the assertion mentioned.
The ACPN additional clarified that Nigerian regulation permits healthcare suppliers, together with pharmacies, hospitals, and different stakeholders, to function laboratory providers the place such amenities are duly registered and licensed by the suitable regulatory our bodies. It confused, nonetheless, that neighborhood pharmacies with out registered laboratory items are anticipated to conform strictly with present legal guidelines {and professional} pointers.
Citing the Nationwide Well being Act of 2014, the affiliation emphasised that pharmacies are formally recognised as well being amenities and type an integral a part of Nigeria’s healthcare supply system.
On the construction of recent pharmacy apply, the ACPN defined that the mixing of restricted retail or grocery store sections inside some pharmacy retailers is an internationally accepted mannequin designed to enhance affected person comfort and assist holistic well being outcomes. It famous that related fashions exist in the UK, the USA, and different superior well being methods, the place pharmacies mix skilled providers with entry to health-related shopper items.
The affiliation additionally highlighted the historic contribution of pharmacy apply to healthcare innovation, declaring that a number of extensively used well being and diet merchandise originated from pharmacists’ work in neighborhood settings.
Reaffirming its dedication to collaboration, the ACPN described medical laboratory scientists as long-standing companions in healthcare supply and expressed confidence that inter-professional cooperation stays important for strengthening Nigeria’s well being system.
The affiliation assured members of the general public that it might proceed to work with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, and statutory regulatory councils to uphold good pharmacy apply, defend affected person security, and guarantee compliance with nationwide well being legal guidelines and requirements.
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