Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria Calls for Intervention in Government Dominance by Medical Doctors

Strategic Insights -

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, expressing concerns over the growing dominance and intimidation tactics of medical doctors in the health and education sectors. The association alleges that medical professionals, particularly those affiliated with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), are weaponising strikes to influence policies and appointments in their favour. The letter highlights the ongoing strike by physician lecturers at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and a similar protest at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in 2024, which was allegedly aimed at contesting the National Universities Commission's (NUC) requirement that only Ph.D holders can be appointed Vice Chancellors.

Key Takeaways:

  • ACPN has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the growing domination and intimidation tactics of medical doctors in the health and education sectors.
  • The association alleges that medical professionals are weaponising strikes to influence policies and appointments in their favour, citing examples from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK).
  • The ACPN also decries the alleged marginalisation of non-physician healthcare professionals in key leadership positions across Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).
  • The association raises alarm over systemic abuse and professional suppression of pharmacists and other non-physician staff in hospitals.
  • ACPN criticises the federal government's handling of public health institutions, blaming leadership inefficiencies for severe power outages in almost all 73 Federal Health Institutions in early 2025.
  • The association has renewed its call for the establishment of a Federal Drug Management Agency to standardise drug procurement and distribution across the country.

Statistics:

  • Since 1985, only physicians have been appointed as Chief Medical Directors or Medical Directors of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) based on a misinterpretation of eligibility criteria.
  • 73 Federal Health Institutions experienced severe power outages in early 2025 due to poor planning.
  • Recent investigations at the Irua Specialist Hospital in Edo State were carried out by a biased team largely composed of physicians, leading to a predictable outcome of exonerating the CEO.

Sources:

  • "Call Off These Bluffs In National Interest," an open letter from ACPN to President Bola Tinubu.
  • Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
  • Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN)
  • National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)
  • National Universities Commission (NUC)
  • University of Calabar (UNICAL)
  • Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
  • Irua Specialist Hospital in Edo State
  • Federal Ministry of Health
  • National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA)