The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has reinforced its commitment to professional development and business sustainability with its Monthly Capacity Building Seminar, focused on The New Tax Law and Its Implications for Community Pharmacy Practice.
The virtual seminar, held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, brought together community pharmacists and industry stakeholders from across the country as part of ACPNs sustained drive to strengthen professional competence, regulatory awareness, and business resilience in an evolving healthcare environment.
The seminar featured key figures from the association’s national leadership and industry experts, including the National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh Igwekamma; Chairman of the ACPN Empowerment and Capacity Building Committee, Pharm. Josephine Ehimen, FPSN, MD/CEO of NETT Pharmacy; Pharm. (Mrs.) Mojisola Adebusola Aladesanmi, who delivered the keynote presentation as Guest Speaker; Pharm. (Mrs.) Agboma Esom-Ibe, FPSN, who moderated the session; and the National Secretary of ACPN, Pharm. (Mrs.) Omokhafe Mary Ashore, whose support underscored the association’s commitment to sustained professional development.
In his opening remarks, National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ambrose Ezeh Igwekamma, described the seminar as a reaffirmation of the associations commitment to continuous professional development.
I am delighted that this seminar is commencing today. We are affirming our collective commitment to continuous professional development, innovation, and sustainability in community pharmacy practice, he said.
Pharm. Ezeh noted that with rapid changes driven by economic pressures, digital transformation, and evolving patient expectations, capacity building has become indispensable for community pharmacists.
In a rapidly evolving healthcare environment shaped by regulatory changes and economic pressures, capacity building is no longer optional; it is essential for survival and relevance, he stated.
According to him, the monthly seminar series represents ACPNs deliberate investment in its members. This programme is designed to strengthen our professional competence, sharpen our business acumen, and empower us to respond confidently to emerging opportunities and challenges within Nigerias health system and beyond, he added.
Delivering the welcome address, Pharm. Josephine Ehimen, FPSN, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NETT Pharmacy and Chairman, ACPN Empowerment and Capacity Building Committee, described the seminar as a strategic intervention to reposition community pharmacists for sustainability.
Today marks an important milestone for ACPN as we formally launch the monthly empowerment and capacity-building platform. The reality before us is undeniable, community pharmacy practice in Nigeria is changing, and to guarantee sustainability and success, pharmacists must be properly equipped, she said.
She added that the committee was established to ensure that training topics address real operational and professional challenges. Our focus covers clinical competence, pharmacy management, digital health, regulatory compliance, taxation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and value-chain leverage, Pharm. Ehimen noted.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Pharm. (Mrs.) Mojisola Adebusola Aladesanmi, who provided a comprehensive breakdown of Nigeria’s newly introduced tax framework and its far-reaching implications for community pharmacy practice.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four major tax reform bills into law on June 26, 2025, with effect from January 1, 2026. These laws consolidate multiple tax statutes into a unified framework aimed at simplifying compliance and modernizing Nigeria’s tax system, she said.
She identified the four laws as the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act, explaining that together they redefine tax administration, taxpayer rights, and compliance obligations.
Pharm. Aladesanmi explained that taxation remains a compulsory levy on individuals and businesses, stressing that every pharmacist whether operating as a business owner or individual is legally regarded as a taxable person.
Tax compliance is no longer optional in Nigeria. It directly affects operations, profitability, and ultimately the survival of businesses, she stated.
Highlighting the implications for community pharmacies, she disclosed that retail pharmacies stand to benefit from several reliefs under the new regime. Medical and pharmaceutical products are zero-rated. This means pharmacists do not charge VAT on medicines sold, but can recover VAT paid on purchases, which improves cash flow and profit margins, she explained.
She further noted that small community pharmacies with turnovers of ₦100 million or less and fixed assets not exceeding ₦250 million are exempt from company income tax, capital gains tax, and development levy, provided they are not classified as professional service providers.
On personal income tax, she stated: Individuals earning ₦800,000 or less annually are exempt, while progressive tax rates now apply, with reliefs such as a 20 per cent rent deduction introduced.
She cautioned pharmacists on withholding tax compliance. Always obtain and keep withholding tax certificates. Without them, you lose the benefit of offsets or refunds, Pharm. Aladesanmi warned.
According to her, the new tax regime presents several opportunities for community pharmacy practice, including improved affordability of medicines, increased demand, simplified compliance for small businesses, and enhanced operational efficiency.
The focus of the new tax law is simplification, fairness, and support for small businesses. For community pharmacies, it presents both opportunities and responsibilities, she said.
The seminar concluded with an interactive session where participants shared experiences, asked questions, and sought clarity on compliance requirements, VAT recovery, and business restructuring strategies.
The January seminar marked a strong start to ACPNs 2026 capacity-building calendar, as the association reaffirmed its resolve to equip community pharmacists with practical policy knowledge necessary for sustainable and compliant practice in Nigerias evolving economic environment.
