Health experts are calling for better coordination in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector to eliminate duplication, enhance efficiency, and make quality medicines and healthcare products more accessible.
The call was made in Abuja during a high-level meeting of stakeholders working under the Improving Access to Medicines through Policy and Technical Support (IMPACT) project.
Dr. Tayo Hamzat, Supply Chain Management Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO), said the meeting was timely because there are currently many interventions in the sector that are not well-coordinated.
He explained that harmonization would make medicines and health products reach people faster, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen regulation. He stressed that this would require collaboration and stronger national systems.
Dr. Hamzat described Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector as large and promising, but slowed down by weak coordination and fragmented management.
Dr. Francis Ohanyido, Director-General of the West Africa Institute of Public Health, said working together was “common sense,” especially with limited funding and the need to use resources wisely.
He added that harmonization could help identify the gaps that need to be filled, especially as Nigeria prepares for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Anthony Ayeke, Programme Manager for Health and Nutrition at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the EU would continue to support a strong and locally driven pharmaceutical industry.
He noted that harmonization could boost local medicine production, reduce dependence on imports, and strengthen Nigeria’s health system. He also recommended simplifying regulations, improving value chains, encouraging innovation, and promoting partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the Pharmaceutical Value Chain Transformation Committee (PVAC), praised ongoing efforts under the IMPACT project.
Represented by Dr. Muhammad Balarabe, he said PVAC’s goal is to promote local medicine production and attract sustainable investment. He called for stronger partnerships to achieve affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), said poor coordination and overlapping regulations have held back the sector for years.
Represented by Prof. Philip Builders, he said access to quality medicines is essential for universal healthcare. He added that lack of access is also an issue of fairness, national security, and economic stability.
He stressed that harmonization is not just about avoiding duplication but about aligning policies, investments, and technical plans to achieve clear results.
Dr. Adigwe urged stakeholders to create practical short-, medium-, and long-term plans to make Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector self-sufficient, globally competitive, and able to meet the country’s health needs.
The meeting brought together key government agencies, development partners, and private sector players, all agreeing to work towards a unified and efficient pharmaceutical system in Nigeria.
