The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) 44th Annual International Scientific Conference themed "Technology Integration and Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice," has been inspiring since its opening on July 22

This transformative conference united pharmacy professionals and industry leaders with a panel discussion on July 25, 2025, as they delve into innovative strategies that can revolutionize healthcare delivery and enhance patient care across Nigeria and to discuss the crucial role of digital presence in community pharmacy at the International Conference Centre in Awka.

The pivotal panel discussion by organized by Drugstoc E-Hub titled "Show Up or Shut Down: How Pharmacies Dominate the Digital Era through Visibility and Relevance".

It was chaired by Pharm. Onyinye Chiokwe, the Communications Manager at Drugstoc, the panel featured influential figures, including Pharm. Grace Ikani, MD/CEO of Cutting Edge Pharmacy Ltd; Pharm. Michael Okafor, Chief Operating Officer at Drugwell Pharmacy Ltd; Pharm. (Mrs.) Busayo Ajimoko, CEO of Kristalrex Pharmacy Ltd; and Pharm. Edirin Keyamo, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Drugstoc, who was represented by Ololade Oni, Digital Transformation Manager at Drugstoc.

In her opening remarks, Chiokwe emphasized the shift in how patients access healthcare information, stating, "According to Google Trends, seven out of ten patients begin their healthcare journey with an online search for medication. Despite this, many community pharmacists remain digitally invisible. If you aren't showing up online, you are slowly shutting down, losing opportunities to connect with patients." She highlighted the importance of pharmacies adapting to the digital consumer behavior as more patients seek trustworthy providers online.

Ololade Oni echoed Chiokwe's sentiments, illustrating the demand for pharmacies to be accessible: "Patients today are actively asking questions about medications, prices, and partnerships with health maintenance organizations (HMOs). With the National Financial Inclusion Strategy aiming to cover 43 million Nigerians with insurance, community pharmacies have a pivotal role in bridging the gap in Universal Health Coverage."

The discussion also underscored the growing fragmentation of access to medication. "As micro-insurance and digital health platforms expand, we will see millions of patients searching for pharmacies that cater to their plans," Oni added. "Pharmacies that are visible online can effectively reach underserved populations, thereby playing a critical role in improving access to medications."

Pharm. (Mrs.) Busayo Ajimoko contributed by emphasizing the importance of patient engagement: "When we gather extensive data about our patients, it allows us to follow up and provide better care. Being part of an innovative organization is about seeing the bigger picture and ensuring patients can easily access quality care."

Pharm. Michael Okafor shared his personal experience with Drugstoc’s digital visibility program: "Through a pilot program with Drugstoc, I witnessed immediate results. Customers began visiting my pharmacy after finding us online while searching for the medications they needed. This visibility was a game changer, highlighting the critical impact of an online presence."

In her closing remarks, Pharm. Grace Ikani stressed the necessity of visibility for pharmacy success: "You have to exist to be discovered. Visibility is not just a luxury but a requirement in today's healthcare landscape. Trust, value, and growth are fundamental to establishing yourself as a credible provider." She reinforced that consumers now use online platforms to gauge the credibility of pharmacies before visiting, emphasizing the need for pharmacists to adapt to this demand for accessibility.

The stimulating panel discussion ended with an impassioned call for community pharmacists to embrace digital transformation, ensuring that they remain relevant and visible in an increasingly competitive landscape.

As pharmacies explore new opportunities through digital channels, the insights gained from this session are expected to guide them in enhancing their practices and connecting with a broader patient base, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare delivery across Nigeria.