Prof. Chukwuemeka Michael Ubaka, the Honorable Commissioner for Health in Imo State, boldly declared that the most impactful healthcare provider in today's digital age is not a surgeon or physician but the local pharmacist.
His insights were geared towards inspiring community pharmacists to recognize their pivotal role at the center of healthcare transformation amid a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by digital technologies.
Ubaka conveyed this message in a compelling keynote address delivered at the 44th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), on July 23, 2025 at the International Conference Center Awka, Anambra.
Ubaka articulated the pressing need for community pharmacies to shift from traditional practices to a more integrated, technology-driven approach to healthcare. "A community of practice stands at the epicenter of healthcare transformation,” he stated, emphasizing that personalized care and digital health are crucial to achieving universal healthcare coverage as endorsed by the World Health Organization and embedded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
He pointed out that universal coverage means all individuals should have access to healthcare whenever needed, without financial constraints. The community pharmacy, Ubaka explained, is not merely a point of care; it operates as a cornerstone in achieving this goal. He outlined how ideal community pharmacies extend their services beyond dispensing medications to include health education, chronic disease management, immunization delivery, and support in under-resourced settings and rural communities.
Referring to data from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Ubaka noted that community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals globally, with over 75% of the population living within 5 kilometers of a pharmacy. He highlighted that patients consult their local pharmacies nearly twice as often as they visit physicians, showcasing the expanding roles of community pharmacists beyond traditional dispensing.
As digital health evolves, pharmacists are increasingly involved in medication therapy management, health promotion, and chronic disease prevention, with technology further amplifying these roles.
Ubaka challenged attendees with a pressing question: "How quickly can we empower and equip community pharmacies to lead in this journey towards a digitally empowered practice?" He explained the necessity of understanding the distinctions between digitization and digitalization—where digitization is converting analog information into digital formats, and digitalization integrates these technologies to transform pharmacy operations.
He elaborated on various digital health tools, including electronic prescribing, tele-pharmacy, and automated dispensing systems that enhance community pharmacy services. He asserted that digital health transformation encompasses not only these technologies but also mobile health applications, wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine platforms—all aimed at improving healthcare delivery and patient engagement.
Despite the promise of digital health, Ubaka acknowledged the challenges such as data security, privacy, and interoperability concerns that pharmacists must navigate. "Technology alone is not enough; personalized care depends on the trusted relationships between pharmacists and patients," he remarked, underscoring the unique position community pharmacists hold in delivering individualized care.
Addressing the obstacles to digitization, such as infrastructure and workforce capacity, Ubaka called for targeted education and training programs for pharmacists and their clients, advocating for coordinated actions from professional bodies, government stakeholders, and technology providers. He emphasized that the future for community pharmacies lies in their ability to adapt and embrace digital tools, transforming not just their practices but also opening new revenue streams and professional roles.
"ACPN members, let us not be passive observers," Ubaka urged. "We must be architects of our future." With technology and personalized care at the forefront, he concluded, community pharmacists have an unprecedented opportunity to profoundly improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve, shaping a future where they remain indispensable players in the evolving healthcare ecosystem.
