Nigeria Unveils e-Pharmacy Regulation to Align with Global Health Standards
By Admin
The Federal Government has unveiled the Electronic Pharmacy (e-Pharmacy) Regulations, 2026, as part of efforts to align Nigeria’s healthcare system with global health standards and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage through digital innovation.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is driving a transformative shift in the country’s healthcare system, with a strong emphasis on digitalization.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, on Friday, April 11, 2026.
Speaking during his keynote address at the official launch of the e-Pharmacy Regulations in Abuja—developed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria—Professor Pate said the initiative is anchored on a clear vision to establish a safe, accessible, and fully regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem.
“At the heart of these Regulations is a clear vision to establish a safe, accessible, and fully regulated national e-pharmacy ecosystem that leverages digital technology to improve health outcomes,” he said.
He explained that the regulations will enhance medicine availability, support treatment adherence through digital tools, and generate critical health data to strengthen the healthcare system.
According to him, the framework provides comprehensive guidelines for all aspects of digital pharmacy operations, including registration and licensing, prescription management, medicine supply and quality assurance, data privacy and security, monitoring and compliance, as well as consumer protection.
Describing the launch as a defining moment in Nigeria’s healthcare journey, the Minister said the move reflects a collective commitment to harness technology in promoting health, safety, and human dignity, while aligning pharmacy practice with both national and global health priorities.
Pate emphasized that the regulations apply to all stakeholders in the e-pharmacy ecosystem, including operators, licensed pharmacists, healthcare providers, regulators, and consumers.
He added that by standardizing practices and improving transparency, the regulations will strengthen traceability in medicine distribution, enable evidence-based monitoring, and protect public health, while also encouraging innovation and investment.
The Minister also issued a strong warning to operators, stressing that the era of operating in regulatory grey areas is over.
“The licensing process is open, and the requirements are clear. We will not tolerate those who exploit the digital space to distribute substandard or falsified medicines or put profit above patient safety,” he warned.
He urged stakeholders to engage proactively with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and ensure that patient safety remains central to their platforms.
Highlighting investment opportunities, Pate noted that Nigeria is open for business in digital health and called on development partners, international organisations, and investors to collaborate in building a world-class, evidence-based regulatory environment.
Earlier, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, said the regulation was developed in response to the global shift toward digital healthcare delivery.
He explained that the framework is the product of extensive collaboration with stakeholders, including technology innovators, healthcare providers, and legal experts, and is designed to balance accessibility, security, and accountability.
Ahmed noted that the regulation establishes a comprehensive legal and technical framework for the registration, licensing, operation, and oversight of digital pharmaceutical services in Nigeria.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by Director of Hospital Services, Abisola Adegoke, said the regulation would strengthen medicine traceability, improve prescription systems, and expand access to safe pharmaceutical services across both underserved and urban areas.
She commended the Minister and the leadership of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria for what she described as a significant milestone in the health sector.
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, the Presidential Vaccine Advisory Committee (PVAC), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria expressed support for the initiative and called for its swift implementation to achieve its intended objectives.
