The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, has pledged Federal Government support for a stronger nationwide campaign against counterfeit medicines and confirmed his attendance as Special Guest of Honour at the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria’s 45th Annual International Scientific Conference.
Senator Akume made the commitment on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the ACPN leadership led by National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, during a courtesy visit.
The SGF urged community pharmacists to deepen collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to eliminate fake and substandard drugs from Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
“The menace of fake drugs continues to pose a serious danger to the health and well-being of Nigerians. You must join hands with NAFDAC in checking this menace because it is a responsibility that demands the support of all of us,” Akume said.
He noted that with NAFDAC intensifying enforcement, including the establishment of a dedicated task force in Kano State to dismantle illegal drug markets, community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to detect counterfeit medicines at the grassroots.
The ACPN 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, Abuja.
Pharm. Ezeh said the annual conference will bring together policymakers, healthcare professionals, regulators, academics and industry leaders to deliberate on issues shaping the future of pharmacy practice and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Accepting the invitation, Senator Akume described the theme as timely given the challenge of counterfeit medicines and pledged full government support for the event.
The SGF also encouraged Nigerian pharmacists to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing through international partnerships. Citing recent engagements with a Ugandan delegation, he said Uganda’s progress in domestic drug production offers lessons Nigeria can adopt.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to healthcare reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Akume said the administration is focused on expanding access to quality healthcare, establishing more specialized medical facilities, and increasing admission slots for students of medicine, pharmacy and other health disciplines.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, OSGF, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, called for stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals to improve patient care and accelerate local pharmaceutical production.
He cited growing synergy between the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency as evidence of improved cooperation in the sector.
Pharm. Ezeh, in response, assured government that community pharmacists remain committed to working with NAFDAC and other agencies to safeguard public health, noting that modern pharmacy practice now extends to primary healthcare, disease prevention and medicine safety.
The engagement underscores the Federal Government’s renewed drive to build a safer healthcare system through stronger partnerships with professional bodies.
