Abuja, Nigeria: In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has officially adopted a career progression proposal developed by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).
The proposal was adopted at the recently concluded 83rd FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.
Themed “Pharmacy Forward: Performance, Collaboration and Health Transformation,” the congress brought together global leaders to discuss the future of pharmacy practice.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the ACPN, its National Chairman, Mr Ambrose Ezeh, presented a paper titled “Standardisation: Career Progression Ratings for Community Pharmacists in Nigeria,” which was endorsed as a model for global adoption.
In his presentation, Ezeh emphasised the urgent need for structured career progression in community pharmacy to enhance professional competence, motivation, and job satisfaction.
He noted that the current system in Nigeria, where the Superintendent Pharmacist position served as both the entry-level and the peak of a pharmacist’s career, created stagnation and discouraged young pharmacists from choosing community pharmacy as a long-term path.
“Theoretically, there is no difference between a beginner and an experienced practitioner.
“This lack of differentiation not only demoralises but also encourages stagnation and complacency,” Ezeh said.
To address this, he said the ACPN established an Accreditation and Standardisation Committee, which led to the creation of the Community Pharmacists Assessment and Career Progression Institute (CPACPI).
“This pioneering institution aims to promote excellence in community pharmacy through a structured, transparent, and competency-based assessment and career progression system,” Ezeh explained.
He added that CPACPI would empower community pharmacists to provide safe, patient-centred, and innovative healthcare services.
“Its core objectives include career assessment, structured progression, professional development, and continuous quality improvement.
“Benefits for participating pharmacists include access to interactive webinars, workshops, periodic assessments, mentorship programmes, practice milestone documentation, networking opportunities, and enhanced professional recognition.”
Ezeh described the global adoption of ACPN’s proposal as a significant milestone for Nigeria, one that would elevate the visibility and impact of community pharmacists both locally and internationally.
“This initiative is poised to evaluate, support, and elevate the practice of community pharmacy across Nigeria,” he said, urging all pharmacists to embrace the initiative for improved professional visibility and better health outcomes.”
Mr Sheriff Guorgui, Chairman of the FIP Community Pharmacy Section, who chaired the session, described the proposal as “the way to go for community pharmacists.”