Nigeria has taken a major step toward tightening control over digital medicine distribution with the inauguration of the National Electronic Pharmacy Policy, NEPP, and its Strategic Implementation Plan in Abuja on Monday, marking a new phase in healthcare regulation and access.
The policy, unveile8d by the Federal Government in collaboration with key health and digital sector stakeholders, is designed to regulate the production and sale of pharmaceuticals through electronic platforms while ensuring Nigerians have access to safe, affordable and quality-assured medicines regardless of location.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the initiative was aimed at modernising healthcare delivery and closing regulatory gaps created by the rapid expansion of digital platforms.
He was represented by the Director of Food and Drug Services in the ministry, Olubumi Aribeana.
Pate said the pharmaceutical sector had remained largely fragmented despite advances in digital technology, allowing substandard and falsified medicines, unlicensed vendors and misleading information to flourish online.
He stressed that the policy was crafted to ensure innovation in healthcare does not compromise patient safety.
He explained that the NEPP establishes a nationally coordinated and patient-centred e-pharmacy ecosystem, with clear and enforceable rules governing digital pharmacy operations.
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The framework introduces licensing and accreditation standards for online pharmacy platforms, enables real-time monitoring and traceability of pharmaceutical products, and expands access to essential medicines, particularly in underserved and remote communities.
The minister added that the policy would strengthen accountability across the pharmaceutical value chain and is the outcome of extensive inter-agency collaboration.
He acknowledged the roles played by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, PCN, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the National Information Technology Development Agency, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission in shaping its digital governance and infrastructure framework.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Ibrahim-Babashehu Ahmed, said the policy provides clear strategic direction for regulation, noting that PCN will serve as the implementing agency.
He disclosed that specific regulations guiding electronic pharmacy services have been developed and approved by the Coordinating Minister of Health, with endorsement from the Minister of Justice, expressing confidence in smooth implementation.
Also speaking, Munir Elelu, Director and Team Lead of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation, described the initiative as a significant innovation that would support services at primary healthcare centres, family planning programmes and community-based healthcare delivery nationwide.
Mr David Adeyemi, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Pharmachain Technologies, a member of the policy drafting team, praised the collaborative effort behind the NEPP, noting that while policy implementation has often been a challenge in Nigeria, strong stakeholder commitment positions the new framework for success.
NAN
