The Federal Government, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the health sector, on Monday in Abuja inaugurated the National Electronic Pharmacy Policy (NEPP) and its Strategic Implementation Plan to further transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the policy would regulate the production and sale of pharmaceutical products while ensuring Nigerians have access to quality-assured medicines.
Pate, who was represented by the Director of Food and Drug Services in the ministry, Mr Olubumi Aribeana, said the policy was aimed at modernizing healthcare delivery and guaranteeing access to affordable medicines for Nigerians, regardless of location.
According to the minister, although digital platforms have transformed many sectors of the economy, the pharmaceutical sector has remained largely fragmented, with limited oversight of online medicine sales.
He noted that unregulated access in the sector had created serious gaps, allowing substandard and falsified medicines, unlicensed vendors and misinformation to thrive.
“Today marks a bold step forward in our collective mission to modernist healthcare delivery and ensure that every Nigerian has access to safe, affordable and quality-assured medicines, no matter where they live.
“The NEPP is our strategic response. It provides a clear and enforceable framework for regulating electronic pharmacy services in Nigeria, ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of patient safety.
“With this policy, we are laying the foundation for a nationally coordinated e-pharmacy ecosystem that is transparent, secure and patient-centred,” he said.
Pate explained that the policy establishes licensing and accreditation standards for digital pharmacy platforms, enables real-time monitoring and traceability of pharmaceutical products, and improves access to essential medicines, particularly in underserved and remote communities.
He added that the initiative would promote greater accountability across the pharmaceutical value chain and described the policy as the result of extensive inter-agency collaboration.
“I wish to acknowledge the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and digital enablers such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
“I also commend the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for their roles in shaping the digital governance, data protection and infrastructure frameworks that support this policy,” he said.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Mr Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the policy would provide clear strategic direction for regulation, particularly for the PCN as the implementing agency.
“We have developed regulations to guide this initiative. The regulations have been approved by the Coordinating Minister of Health and endorsed by the Minister of Justice,” he said.
Ahmed expressed confidence that the implementation of the policy would not face major challenges.
Also speaking, Munir Elelu, Director and Team Lead of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation, commended the initiative, describing it as an important innovation for the country.
He said the policy would strengthen pharmaceutical services at primary healthcare centres, support family planning services, and improve access to medicines in communities and underserved areas.
Mr David Adeyemi, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Pharmachain Technologies, and a member of the policy drafting team, also praised the effort behind the initiative.
Adeyemi identified poor implementation as a major challenge facing many policies in Nigeria but expressed confidence that the NEPP would be effectively implemented.
