New Anambra Chairman of ACPN vows to promote professionalism, members growth, development

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The newly sworn-in Chairman of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Anambra State Chapter, Pharmacist Felix Ikenna Elendu, has pledged commitment towards upholding the sanctity of the profession through promotion of values to inspire growth and development of members.

Elendu, who stated this in acceptance speech shortly after been sworn in, vowed to work tirelessly to ensure that the professional body remains a beacon of excellence, while according relevance to people voices, concerns and ideas.

"I pledge to uphold the values and principles of our profession through initiatives that promote growth, development and excellence. We shall build strong relationship with stakeholders and partners. I commit to working tirelessly to ensure our professional body remains a beacon of excellence. Your voices, concerns and ideas are invaluable. I look forward to engaging with you," he added.

In a remark earlier, the immediate past Chairman of the ACPN, Pharm Henry Chekwubechukwu Iloh, commended the members and other stakeholders for becoming the engine room through which his administration achieved great fit, and urged them to extend the support to the new government.

Iloh reeled out some of his achievements to include defending and protecting the members from harassment, thereby saving millions in revenue loss due to litigation/harassment for
members.

"We also have engaged in intense diplomacy and advocacy with PCN-PIC and PSN Anambra State on enforcement which has led to the resumption of enforcement in Anambra State since April 2024. The enforcement by PCN-PIC has led to the permanent closure of a number of Patent Medicine Shops in Anambra State, and have made most of them re-subject themselves to regulation by PCN, and also led to the landmark judgment in favour of PCN on fundamental human rights which was secured in the Federal High Court, Awka.

Others were growing financial membership strength from 140 to over 257, restoring their lost glory in the National affairs of ACPN following election of their member as a national officer and hosting the national Conference of the association in 2025, which has also led to siting of a Pharmacare Centre in Anambra.

"Having noticed that the majority of Anambra residents does not really understand who the community pharmacists are, and most times lump us together with charlatans and non-professionals, we intentionally engaged in public awareness in billboards, radio programs and social media across the state in order to correct this wrong perception.

"We also amended the ACPN bye-law in 2024 to improve the welfare packages for members and we have strived to ensure that those welfare
packages got to members concerned. We formed a new Anambra ACPN Cooperative Society with enough checks and balances as we understood the importance of Cooperative to a successful community pharmacy ecosystem.

"Being conscious of the importance of a reliable date we engaged MEDICONNECT to map pharmacies in Anambra state and the project
was delivered in February 2025. We now known that we have at least 403 pharmacies in Anambra state. We interfaced with PSN-YPG and have adopted the first minimum pay package for Sp’s, Corps members who are pharmacists, interns and locum pharmacists in order to improve their welfare and improve productivity.

"We have also initiated the process for mass enrolment of members into the solar project to reduce our operational cost and enhance our
practice. All we have achieved are due to your cooperation and support and we remain eternally grateful. Please extend this support to the incoming administration," he stated.

Other members of the leadership are Pharm. Kingsley Idemobi, Vice-Chairman; Pharm. Chidiebere Odili, Secretary; Pharm. Cynthia Adaeze Onwughalu, Assistant Secretary; Pharm. Ikechukwu Umeozor .V., Financial Secretary; Pharm. Regina Chinelo Nwigbo,Treasurer; Pharm. Echezona Ogudiegwu,Publicity Secretary; Pharm. Edith Egbuonu FPSN, Unofficial Member 1; Pharm. Ifedi Okoye, Unofficial Member 2; Pharm. Anthony Okeke; Unofficial Member 3; and Pharm. Henry Iloh, Immediate Past Chairman.