Drugs : FG Introduces Nat’l Electronic Pharmacy Policy

The federal government has launched a new policy known as
National Electronic Pharmacy Policy, to regulate sales of medicines online.

At the launch in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate said it is historic to modernize healthcare through digital platforms in line with global best practices.

Professor Pate, who was represented by the Director Food and Drugs in the Ministry, Dr. Olubumi Aribiana said the new policy was designed to close those dangerous gaps as a national framework to license and monitor digital pharmacy platforms, with the goal of ensuring all medicines sold online can be traced and are of good standard.

The Minister highlighted the key aim to include improving access to essential drugs in remote areas and protecting patient data and safety in the digital space.

According to the Minister, “the launch marks a bold step forward in our collective mission to ensure that every Nigerian has access to safe, affordable, and quality-assured medicines no matter where they live.”

The Minister highlighted the dangers of the current unregulated online medicine market, where substandard drugs and unlicensed vendors can operate.

“The new policy is designed to close those dangerous gaps. It sets up a national framework to license and monitor digital pharmacy platforms, with the goal of ensuring all medicines sold online can be traced and are of the right standard.

In His remark, the President, Pharmacists Society of Nigeria Foundation, Mr. Munir Elelu said the E. Pharmacy policy targets the underserved people noting that primary healthcare centers would key into the initiative for prompt and quality service.

The policy developed collaboratively by key stakeholders among others the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, NAFDAC, and digital bodies which includes the National Information Technology Development Agency whom in their separate goodwill messages pledged effective collaboration to ensure seamless implementation of the policy to improve healthcare delivery.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji