Frequently Asked Questions
1What is the Community Pharmacists Career Progression Scheme?
The Community Pharmacists Career Progression Scheme is a structured program designed to support the continuous professional development of community pharmacists in Nigeria. It aims to enhance pharmacists clinical and management skills, improve service quality, provides networking opportunities and offer recognition for excellence in community pharmacy practice. It also includes supporting the pharmacists to upgrade their premises to meet international standards.
2Who can enroll in this scheme?
The scheme is open to all licensed and practicing community pharmacists in Nigeria who are committed to advancing their careers, improving their skills, and contributing to high quality in pharmacy service delivery.
3What are the benefits of participating in this scheme?
Participants can expect to gain:
- Career Advancement through targeted professional development opportunities.
- Networking Opportunities with peers and pharmacy industry leaders and experts.
- Professional Recognition that validates expertise and commitment to quality community practice.
- Improved professional standards as CPACPI provides a structured framework that help pharmacists upgrade their competencies in relevant clinical areas
- Enhanced quality of care and services through continuous learning and mentorship for delivering better patient counseling, medication management and preventive care
- Encourages the use of digital tools for efficient data management and increased accountability in the national health reporting system
4Is participation in the scheme mandatory for community pharmacists?
No, participation is voluntary. However, pharmacists who enroll will enjoy structured support for career development and may gain competitive advantages in professional practice.
5What does the scheme involve?
The scheme includes a combination of:
- Interactive webinars and workshops
- Mentorship opportunities
- Periodic assessments and evaluations
- Documentation of achievements and practice milestones
- Recognition and certification at various stages of progression
6How does one get started with the scheme?
Follow these steps:
- Register as a member of CPACPI
- Review the Bands and select your appropriate band
- Take the self-assessment test
- Complete baseline questionnaire
- Upload relevant documents
- Access recommended trainings, workshops, collaborations, quality improvement platforms
- Enjoy the accreditation, branding and associated benefits of CPCPS
7Will there be any cost associated with joining the scheme?
To enrol on each band, the enrollee is expected to pay Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) to ACPN's Polaris bank account (account number 4091588895)
8What kind of skills or areas of knowledge will the scheme cover?
The scheme focuses on:
- Clinical knowledge updates
- Patient-centered care
- Public health roles of community pharmacists
- Supply chain and inventory management
- Business management and leadership in pharmacy practice
9Can one join the scheme if one is a Superintendent Pharmacist, Locum Pharmacist or Pharmacist Director?
Yes. The scheme is suitable for Superintendent Pharmacist, Locum Pharmacist and Pharmacist Director as long as they are actively involved in community pharmacy practice.
10How will this scheme impact one’s daily practice?
This initiative is designed to re-position community pharmacy practice in Nigeria through:
- Establishing a structured career progression framework for community pharmacists,
- Strengthening professional capacity and continuous learning,
- Enhancing service quality and patient care, and
- Contributing to a resilient primary healthcare system in Nigeria.
