Kwara: Community pharmacists screen 100 women to detect breast, cervical cancer

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Kwara State branch, on Thursday screened 100 women to detect breast and cervical cancer.

The screening was part of activities marking the second edition of the Kwara ACPN 2025 Business Summit and the commemoration of Cancer Awareness Month in February.

The summit, themed, ‘Optimizing Community Pharmacy Practice,’ aimed to enhance the role of community pharmacists in healthcare and business innovation and to equip pharmacists with best practices for business growth.

Speaking at the event, Munirat Bello, chairman ACPN, emphasized the importance of February as a month dedicated to raising awareness on cancer prevention.

She highlighted the focus on breast and cervical cancer, stressing that early detection is better than cure.

“Cervical cancer, when detected early, can be reversed and treated. However, if not identified in time, it may advance to an 80percent critical stage, leaving little to be done,” she explained.

She urged women to get vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), lamenting Nigeria’s high burden of cancer cases, particularly cervical cancer, compared to other countries like the United Kingdom, where cases are significantly lower.

“Pharmacy is a profession, but it also has a business aspect. It requires financial knowledge, accounting, bookkeeping, and inventory management,” she added.

Bello commended the Federal Government’s efforts to curb the proliferation of fake drugs, which pose a significant health risk to the public.

Ambrose Ezeh, the ACPN National Chairman, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to a healthier society through cancer screening and sensitization.

He encouraged pharmacists to embrace technology in their business operations, saying, “using software can help document all essential business processes, ensuring efficiency and growth.”

Similarly, Ayuba Ibrahim, National President – Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), urged pharmacists to adopt innovative business strategies.

“In Nigeria, community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for medication. It is essential they uphold a good public image and perform their duties diligently,” he stated.

In her goodwill message, Amina El-Imam, Kwara Commissioner for Health, described community pharmacists as the face of pharmacy in Nigeria and key contributors to national healthcare development.

Represented by Barakat Olanrewaju, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, stressed the need for pharmacists to embrace technology and foster partnerships with other healthcare stakeholders.

“We encourage community pharmacists to be innovative and collaborate with other professionals to improve healthcare delivery,” she advised.