The Federal Government has launched the Electronic Pharmacy Regulations 2026 in a bid to strengthen oversight, improve medicine safety, and regulate Nigeria’s fast-growing digital pharmaceutical sector.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at curbing the circulation of fake drugs and addressing weaknesses in supply chain controls.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Abisola Adegoke, described the initiative as “a major milestone in healthcare regulation.”
She said the framework was developed in collaboration with technology innovators, healthcare providers, and legal experts, adding that it was designed to balance accessibility, security, and accountability in the digital pharmaceutical space.
The Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Ibrahim Ahmed, said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed major gaps in the regulation of online pharmacy services.
According to him, the new regulations provide a comprehensive legal and technical framework for the registration, licensing, operation, and oversight of digital pharmaceutical services.
Also speaking, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the reforms are part of broader efforts to organise Nigeria’s healthcare sector and attract investment.
He said improved transparency and stability in the system would enhance medicine distribution across the country.
Pate further said enforcement would be implemented alongside collaboration.
“Those who comply with this regulation will find in PCN a regulator who is also a partner, and those who do not comply will find that they have a strengthened enforcer,” he said.
Officials said the new framework is expected to improve consumer protection, ensure safer drug distribution, and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system as digital platforms expand.
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