By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Kwara Branch, has organized a sensitization programme and screened 100 women for breast and cervical cancer.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the screening is part of the activities for the Second Edition of Kwara ACPN 2025 Business Summit, and commemoration of the Cancer Awareness Month in February.
The theme of the summit is entitled: “Optimizing Community Pharmacy Practice”.
Speaking at the programme, Mrs. Munirat Bello, the ACPN Chairman in Kwara explained that the month of February is dedicated to sensitizing the public on what is cancer and the prevention.
She explained that the key messages focuses on breast and cervical cancer.
According to her, the cervical cancer, when detected early can be reversed and treated, but if not detected early, untill it is 80 percent in advanced stage, there is nothing that can be done.
She urge women to be vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer.
Bello lamented that Nigeria has high burden of cancer cases especially cervical cancer, when compared to places like the United Kingdom where cases are almost zero.
Similarly, the ACPN chairman said the Business Summit is to impart best practices in business innovation for members.
She stated that pharmacy is a profession, but also has business outlook to it, adding that it entails having financial knowledge, accounting, book-keepiing and also inventory management.
Bello commended the Federal Government on the efforts to sanitize the country from the proliferation of fake drugs in the market that endanger the lives of people.
In his address, Mr. Ambrose Ezeh, the ACPN National Chairman said the cancer screening and sensitization is part of the functions of the association to ensure a healthy society.
He also observed the need for members to acquire the knowledge of how to optimise their business and make it flourish.
Ezeh emphaised the need to use technology in their business, adding that software can be used to document all they want to do.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), National President, Mr. Ayuba Ibrahim enjoined members to change the way they do business.
Ibrahim observed that the first place of call in Nigeria in accessing drugs is the community pharmacist, while tasking them to show good image to the public and carry out their assignment diligently.
In her goodwill message, Dr. Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health described community pharmacists as the image of pharmacy in Nigeria, who contribute to national development.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Hajia Barakat Olanrewaju, noted that the use of technology by community pharmacist is crucial.
She encouraged members to be innovative and acquire new partnership by working with other health stakeholders.
