By Charles Igwe
YPP governorship candidate for Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has once again demonstrated his commitment to public health and social responsibility at the recently concluded 44th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held at the International Conference Center, Awka.
Themed “Technology Integration and Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice,” the 2025 edition of the conference—tagged IFEADIGO—brought together top community pharmacists, pharmaceutical brands, health professionals, and advocacy groups to chart a course for the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Sir Paul, who made a generous donation to the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD), emphasized the need for deliberate investments in healthcare and the integration of digital technologies to enhance pharmaceutical services. His donation was directed towards the procurement of essential drugs—such as hydroxyurea—for the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home in Agulu, a move that was met with gratitude by the APLSCD leadership.
“I remain hopeful that a day will come when the cure for sickle cell will be both readily available and affordable for the common man,” Sir Paul said. “Until then, we must leverage emerging technologies to design innovative systems and products that address the critical gaps in our healthcare system. This is the only way to usher in a new dawn in health management across sub-Saharan Africa.”
Addressing delegates at the event, Sir Paul urged community pharmacists to recommit themselves to excellence in healthcare delivery, stressing the need for a coordinated pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure efficiency, prevent stockouts, and eliminate counterfeit medications.
He noted that pharmacists play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey toward universal healthcare and should be adequately represented in policymaking spaces. “The integration of community pharmacists into government decision-making bodies will accelerate access to safe, affordable, and high-quality medications,” he said.
The conference also witnessed a vibrant pharma trade show, where top pharmaceutical brands like Bond Chemical Industries, Juhel Pharmaceutical, Eden U-K, Greenlife, Elbe Pharmaceutical, Avro Pharmacy, Evans Baroque, and Pinnacle Health showcased their latest innovations. Bond, makers of the widely acclaimed Oxyurea capsule for sickle cell management, donated free drugs to the Agulu-based Sickle Cell Home. Juhel also offered souvenirs and essential pharmaceutical products to the children.
Mrs. Aisha Edward Maduagwu, National Coordinator of APLSCD, expressed her appreciation to Sir Paul Chukwuma for his timely intervention and called on pharmaceutical companies to consider subsidizing the cost of sickle cell medications, especially for indigent patients. She reiterated her commitment to continued advocacy and collaboration with key stakeholders to combat sickle cell disorder in Nigeria.
ACPN National Chairman, Pharm Ambrose Ezeh, and Anambra State Chairman, Pharm Henry Iloh, both reinforced the need for regulatory clarity and policy inclusion, calling on community pharmacists to embrace digital health innovations for better service delivery.
