ACPN warns pharmacists against unethical practices, sale of licences 

Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has enjoined pharmacists across the country to shun all unethical practices so as to save the profession and members of the public from harm.

ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Ambrose Ezeh, made this declaration on Tuesday during the opening of the 2026 Oyo State ACPN Annual Summit in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The event was attended by the immediate past ACPN National Chairman, Pharmacist Aderemi Oladigbolu; ACPN Oyo State Chairman, Pharmacist Adebayo Gbadamosi; Pharmacist Rilwan Subair; Pharmacist Bola Oyawole; and other notable personalities.

Ezeh, while speaking on the theme, “Beyond the Counter: Balancing Professional Ethics, Innovation and Sustainable Growth in a Changing Healthcare Economy,” described ethics as the core value of any profession.

Ezeh, who warned members of the association against involvement in unethical practices such as selling licences and wrong dispensation of drugs, maintained that some people are selling their licences while many are engaged in the wrong dispensation of drugs.

The ACPN National Chairman, who said that unethical practices can harm both the profession and members of the public, then advised members of the association not to engage in any act that will damage the image of the profession and cause harm to the people they are serving.

Ezeh said, “Today’s theme is very important because it mentioned ethical practice. And when you talk about ethics, it means culture and tradition have to work pari passu. It is what guides; it is the core value of the profession. When you graduate, there is oath-taking, which means that you are going to work in accordance with the rules and regulations that guide the profession. You should do things that are good, things that will not harm the people. Things that will not harm the profession and the people. Some people sell their licences because a lot of people who are not pharmacists have invaded this profession.

“I have mentioned a lot of unethical practices. I mentioned a lot. I said when you, as a pharmacist, are not dispensing what you are supposed to dispense, you are not doing it at the right time. It is unethical.

“Dispensing antibiotics when you are not supposed to dispense antibiotics is unethical practice. When you have controlled drugs that are supposed to be under lock and key and they are not under lock and key, it is an unethical practice.”

Gbadamosi, in his welcome address, advised pharmacists to perform their roles without fear or favour in the midst of many challenges.

He charged members to remain focused and jettison all unethical practices that can bring disrepute to the profession and the practitioners themselves.

He said, “Today, community pharmacists operate in an environment shaped by evolving patient expectations, rapid technological advancement, changing healthcare policies, economic pressures and increasing demand for accessible and quality healthcare services.

“In the midst of these challenges, we are challenged to remain true to the ethical principles that define our profession while embracing innovation and building sustainable pharmacy businesses capable of thriving in an increasingly competitive healthcare landscape.”