Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, has said that the State’s health sector has witnessed significant transformation under the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, with renewed reforms, stronger partnerships, and improved access to affordable healthcare taking centre stage.
Dr. Ayuk made the remarks, Wednesday, while declaring open the 2026 Business Summit of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) in Calabar, themed “Tax Reforms: Impact on Community Pharmacy Practice,” where stakeholders gathered to examine the implications of recent tax policies on pharmaceutical practice and healthcare delivery.
He noted that the present administration has continued to prioritise healthcare reforms, strengthen partnerships, and expand access to quality and affordable health services across Cross River State.
According to him, the pharmaceutical sector suffered major setbacks following the #EndSARS protests, including the destruction of the State’s drug warehouse, but said government interventions have since focused on rebuilding and repositioning the system.
Dr. Ayuk explained that one of the key reforms introduced by the Otu-led administration is the establishment of a functional Drug Management Agency designed to improve the regulation, procurement, and distribution of medicines across the state.
He said the agency is also tasked with curbing the circulation of substandard drugs and ensuring that quality medicines reach even the most remote communities through an efficient “last mile” delivery system.
He emphasized that the reforms are not punitive but deliberately structured to enhance access, particularly for vulnerable populations, by making healthcare more affordable and efficient.
“This reform is not a penalty against stakeholders. It is aimed at benefiting the poor and ensuring that healthcare services and medicines become accessible and affordable to everyone,” he said.
Dr. Ayuk further stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government, community pharmacists, and private sector stakeholders in achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, describing pharmacists as critical frontline providers in the healthcare system.
He also reiterated the government’s readiness to strengthen the health workforce through the recruitment of pharmacists, doctors, and nurses to improve service delivery across the state.
Speaking at the summit, ACPN National Chairman, Mr. Ezeh Igwekamma, described taxation as a critical driver of national development, noting that about 70 percent of Nigerians rely on community pharmacists as their first point of healthcare access.
He called for supportive policies for pharmacists working in underserved communities, stressing that a healthy population remains the foundation of economic stability.
The Cross River State Chairman of ACPN, Mr. Iyke Okafor, said recent tax reforms have significantly reshaped the operating environment for community pharmacists, creating uncertainty within the sector.
He, however, described the summit as timely and strategic, noting that it provides a platform for practitioners to better understand and adapt to the evolving tax framework.
Tax expert, Akpanke Ogar explained that the tax reforms were introduced to simplify the tax system, improve compliance, and boost revenue generation, while urging practitioners to ensure proper documentation.
In a paper titled “Maximizing Tax Liabilities Through Documentation and Compliance,” Dr. Ndubuisi Nwoko warned that pharmacists risk missing out on the benefits of the new reforms if they fail to maintain proper records and comply with regulatory requirements.
The event climaxed with the presentation of an award to Dr. Ayuk for contributions to health sector management and improved service delivery.
By Kingsley Agim
