Margaret O Afolabi¹, Maduabuchi R Ihekoronye¹ , Omoniyi J Ola-Olorun¹, Moteehat O Olu-Lawal²

¹Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,; ²Osun State Hospitals Management Board, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

For correspondence:-  Maduabuchi Ihekoronye   Email: rihekoronye@oauife.edu.ng   Tel:+2348079508822

Received: 24 March 2026        Accepted: 10 August 2026        Published: 31 August 2026

Citation: Afolabi MO, Ihekoronye MR, Ola-Olorun OJ, Olu-Lawal MO. Perspectives on siting community pharmacies at fuel stations in Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey. Trop J Pharm Res 2026; 25(8):1153-1162 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v25i8.12

© 2026 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To explore stakeholder perceptions of co-locating pharmacies and fuel stations and their implications for service delivery and regulation. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-method survey was conducted among 615 pharmacists, 37 regulators, 524 fuel station customers, and 27 fuel station managers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. Using multistage sampling, data were collected through a validated questionnaire, document review, and interviews with 11 regulators. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, and Chi-square tests (p < 0.05), while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Results: Pharmacists generally supported the concept but expressed concerns about medicines’ integrity (H = 590.66, p < 0.001). Customers and managers supported the innovation, perceiving no workflow disruption (χ² = 11.450, p = 0.022). Regulators acknowledged international precedents and showed cautious openness, emphasizing strict safety measures and operational guidelines (H = 7.851, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Stakeholders broadly supported the co-location of community pharmacies and fuel stations, albeit with safety concerns. Clear policy direction, context-appropriate regulatory frameworks, and safety guidelines are needed before implementation in Nigeria.

Keywords: Community pharmacy, Fuel stations, Pharmacy location, Stakeholder perception, Policy reforms, Nigeria

Impact Factor
Thompson Reuters (ISI): 0.6 (2023)
H-5 index (Google Scholar): 49 (2023)