Community Pharmacies Can Drive Early Breast Cancer Detection, Says Oyo ACPN
Community pharmacists in Oyo State, under the auspices of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), have advocated for the recognition of community pharmacies as critical players in the early detection and awareness of breast cancer, particularly at the grassroots level.
Speaking during a one-day breast care awareness training organised by the Department of Radiation Oncology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the pharmacists emphasised that leveraging the accessibility and trust community pharmacies enjoy could significantly improve early diagnosis and survival outcomes for breast cancer patients across underserved communities.
Held at the Seminar Room of the Odeku Library Extension, UCH, the training brought together community pharmacists and stakeholders from across the state to discuss effective ways of promoting breast health through community-based platforms.
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In his address, ACPN Oyo State Chairman, Pharm. Adebayo Gbadamosi, stated that community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to champion early detection of non-communicable diseases, such as breast cancer, due to their close proximity to the people. He noted that for many Nigerians, especially those in rural or hard-to-reach areas, community pharmacies remain the first and most accessible point of contact with the healthcare system.
He pointed to the pivotal role pharmacists played during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Oyo State as proof of their capacity to drive large-scale health interventions. “The success recorded during the vaccination rollout in Oyo remains unmatched nationally,” Gbadamosi said. “That achievement is a glimpse into what’s possible when pharmacists are empowered and integrated into public health efforts.”
While commending the Department of Radiation Oncology for extending the training to community pharmacists, Gbadamosi stressed that collaboration across all health professions is essential to improving care outcomes and strengthening the health system.
“Inter-professional collaboration is the gold standard. It helps cut healthcare costs, enhances service delivery, and brings us closer to achieving universal health coverage,” he noted.
He also took a swipe at those within the health sector who continue to promote rivalry among professionals, describing such actions as regressive and self-serving. “Those who sow discord in healthcare are working against the interest of the people,” he warned.
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Calling on policymakers, Gbadamosi urged the federal, state, and local governments to develop policies that enable all healthcare providers to operate at their full potential. He emphasised that community pharmacies should no longer be sidelined but rather recognised as core components of Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, particularly amid an acute shortage of healthcare workers.
“It’s time to unlock the full potential of community pharmacies,” he concluded. “They are more than just places to get medications—they are vital healthcare access points capable of delivering lifesaving interventions and transforming community health.”