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The Federal Government, in collaboration with stakeholders in the health sector, on Monday inaugurated the National Electronic Pharmacy Policy (NEPP) and Strategic Implementation Plan in Abuja, aiming to further modernize healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the policy would regulate pharmaceutical production and sales, ensuring Nigerians have access to quality-assured medicines. Represented by Olubumi Aribeana, Director of Food and Drug Services at the ministry, Pate emphasized that the initiative is designed to make affordable medicines accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of location.
He noted that while digital platforms have transformed nearly every sector of the economy, the pharmaceutical space has remained fragmented, with limited oversight of online medicine sales.
“This free-hand access in the pharmaceutical sector has created dangerous gaps, where substandard and falsified medicines, unlicensed vendors, and misinformation have thrived,” Pate said.
He described the NEPP as a strategic response to these challenges, providing “a clear, enforceable framework for the regulation of electronic pharmacy services in Nigeria, ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of safety.”
According to Pate, the policy lays the foundation for a nationally coordinated e-pharmacy ecosystem that is transparent, secure, and patient-centered. It 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.
“The platform will also promote greater accountability for all actors in the pharmaceutical value chain. This policy is the result of extensive collaboration across the health sector,” he added.
