MoniePoint Inc., a leading digital financial institution, is strengthening healthcare access in Nigeria by equipping community pharmacists with cutting-edge payment solutions and offering loans to enhance drug availability. In collaboration with the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), MoniePoint is addressing key challenges in the pharmaceutical sector, including inadequate infrastructure, regulatory barriers, and reliance on imported medications.
In its recent case study titled “Inside Nigeria’s Community Pharmacies: How MoniePoint Drives Healthcare Access with Payments and Funding,” the microfinance bank reaffirmed its commitment to improving health outcomes through digital payment solutions. Released at the ACPN headquarters in Lagos, the study highlights the critical role community pharmacies play in providing medical care, particularly in areas with limited access to hospitals and clinics.
ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, stressed the need for improved local drug production to meet growing demand and capitalize on opportunities such as the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. He also emphasized the importance of advancing digital health solutions, including e-prescriptions, to further strengthen healthcare delivery. Igwekwam noted that with over 6,000 community pharmacies receiving an average of 480,000 daily visits, these pharmacies are key players in Nigeria’s healthcare system, offering essential public health services beyond dispensing medications.
First National Vice-President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, lauded the ACPN’s partnership with MoniePoint, recognizing the initiative as a crucial step in addressing healthcare challenges in rural and underserved areas. He expressed confidence that this collaboration would guide future research and funding efforts to enhance healthcare access across the country.
