FG Aligns Pharmacy Practice with Global Health Priorities; Unviels e-Pharmacy Regulation, 2026

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters 

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate has disclosed that the Renewed Hope Agenda, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is driving a transformative shift in the country’s healthcare system through a strong focus on digitalization aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Professor Pate according to a press release e-signed by the ministry’s Assistant Director Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako disclosed this in his key note address at the official launch of Electronic Pharmacy (e-Pharmacy) regulations ,2026, in Abuja, produced by Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.

“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.”

The Health Minister stated by making medicines reliably available, supporting adherence through digital tools, and capturing critical health data, “e-pharmacy directly advances Universal Health Coverage while strengthening our health system.” He noted.

The Minister further explained that it is within this broader national direction that these Regulations find their purpose, noting that they provide a comprehensive framework to guide the practice of e-pharmacy in Nigeria, covering every facet of digital pharmacy operations.

He enumerated the facet of digital pharmacy operations to include: registration and licensing, prescription management, medicines supply and quality assurance, data privacy and security, monitoring and compliance, and consumer protection.

The Minister described the event as a defining moment in Nigeria’s healthcare journey, a testament to our collective commitment to harnessing technology in the service of health, safety, and human dignity. He noted that the decisive step is taken to ensure that pharmacy practice in Nigeria aligns with national and global health priorities which reflects the realities of the 21st Century.

Elaborating more on the regulations, Pate said “These provisions apply to all stakeholders in the e-pharmacy ecosystem; operators, licensed pharmacists, healthcare providers, regulators, and consumers.”

Professor Muhammad Ali Pate further explained that by standardizing practices and improving transparency, the Regulations strengthen traceability in medicines distribution, enable evidence-based monitoring, and protect public health while supporting innovation and investment.

Drawing the attention of e-pharmacy operators and technology companies, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate warned that the era of operating in a grey area is over, strongly calling for immediate full compliance with the regulations, saying that licensing process is open and the requirements are clear.

“Furthermore, we have issued a clear warning to those who would exploit the digital space to peddle substandard and falsified medicines, or place profit above patient safety. Nigeria’s regulatory institutions are alert, equipped, and resolute in their duty to protect our citizens.” He warned.

He therefore urged them to engage proactively with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and design their platforms with patient safety at the centre.

The Coordinating Minister said Nigeria is open for business in digital health, therefore called for partnership, investment and expertise from development partners, international organizations, and investors, affirming that Nigeria is building a regulatory environment that is world-class, evidence-based, and responsive.

Presenting technical review of the document, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, FPSN said as the world pivots towards digital direction, the ways in which patients access life-saving medications have evolved, affirming that Nigeria meet that evolution with a robust modern framework designed to ensure that ethical standards, honesty, as well as trustworthiness are not compromised to safeguard customers from potential risks.

He stated that the e-pharmacy regulation, is the product of collaborative engagement with relevant partners, including technology innovators, healthcare providers, and legal experts, adding that the document balances the need for accessibility, security, and accountability.

While congratulating the Coordinating Minister under whose leadership in the Health Sector, for the first time,National Electronic Pharmacy Platform policy and its implementation framework was developed , pointing out that the goal of the e-Pharmacy regulation is to establish a comprehensive legal and technical framework for the registration, licensing, operation, and oversight of digital pharmaceutical services.

In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, represented by the Director Hospital Services Dr Abisola Adegoke mni, said the development of this regulation will further provide the needed backbone for the national electronic pharmacy policy, which is expected to improve medicine traceability, strengthen prescription regime, and expand safe pharmaceutical access for both the undeserved areas and the urban centers.

She expressed appreciation to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for making this event possible and commended the registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria for this significant achievement.

In their separate goodwill messages, representative of WHO, Dr. Omotayo Hamzat, representative of World Bank, Dr. Onoriode Ezire; National Coordinator PVAC, Dr. Abdu Mukhtar,and President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, supported the initiative and called for its immediate enforcement to achieve its goals.